[What'saCobra?]

Stephen,

I would rather have wished you might have disagreed with my post facts or the conclusions I have made about the use and misuse of the AC cachet/brand. Instead, you criticise my masthead.

So, in the spirit of inquiry, instruction and learning, I have formulated a fair response for your and the other good reader's edification and perhaps even enjoyment. All in the name of good fun, eh?
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Dear Stephens of the world,

Thank you for your best wishes and desires not to offend people.

On the face of it, your first note certainly gives no offence, either intended nor received. No problemo.

Your second note is more interesting because of the veiled challenge to my veracity, which you seem not willing to do frankly.

But, I like your spunk, if not your artistic style, so I will take some time to formulate a few thoughts. I am a realist, perhaps an optimistic one at that.

I thought we certainly could talk about Cobras, AC, SA, Shel', engines, kits, fabrication and anything else Cobra, including, but not necessarily required, what the poster owns; unless we want to and then it's Katie Bar the Door. OK by me. But, just not my style.

I thought the idea was to share our thinking and learn from each other in a spirit of inquiry that need not include a challenge to personal posessions as an entrance requirement to inquiry and participation.

Many younger members may not yet nor many older members any longer have the funds to own any Cobra at all, "genuine" or not. Should that bar them from the club registration or your attention and acceptance? Does that make their view any less valid?

I apologise if I am mistaken, but that is not my impression of ClubCobra.

I didn't think it was necessary to brag about our cars, or even mention them, unless we wished to do so. It seemed to me that much more is accomplished in the understatement than the overstatement. It obviously annoyed the pisoir out of you, mon ami.

I have been reading here for over three years, on and off, using various nomes des plumes and frequently itched to wack down a few and boost folks that were struggling and trying to come to grips with as much truth as possible. But I resisted the urge until lately, where this SA thing is getting wacky and has drawn me out.

I have also watched short-fused characters get pissed over nothing and that doesn't represent the best that is in us, does it? So, I am not pissed.

Yet, your second somewhat ingratiating inquiry does sit there up above, doesn't it? It was not enough for you to read my answer and accept it, but you needed to explain to others how, dwell one my response, create doubt and let me see, how did you put it:

"It's just very easy (and more than a little unusual) to come here as a new member claiming to own "several Cobras", and then refuse to provide any further details. Most Cobra guys can't stop talking about their cars, ex-wives or no ex-wives."

Well, old boy, I guess I am a little unusual and rarely brag about my posessions, big or little. Perhaps that makes me not an acceptable poster to you. I brought no attention to my "several" comment. You did. Next time, am I to leave it blank, so the Stephen's of the world will not be annoyed?

I have a fair suggestion. I will post $1000 to the moderator, which you can match and then we will count how many "Genuine" Cobras ("genuine" race cars count double) each of us has this afternoon by serial number, privately to the moderator, with necessary documentation and testimoney required and the guy that has more keeps all the money. The loser posts a straight, non-weasel-worded apology, dictated by the winner.

Is that fair enough? That is, you can pay to find out...seems OK to me...all in good spirit and all that.

Here's wishing you a wonderful day of happiness and learning and hoping the sun continues to shine brightly from your aspirations to ours.

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Aside:
1. You probably haven't got many ex-wives or they were not as avaricious as mine were.
2. Your cars are probably not famous or at least not notorious.
3. You are proably a fine young gentleman who tries asiduously to avoid controversy.
4. You are wrong if you think I am angry, only disappointed at your snobbery.
5. If the moderator so requests I will withdraw the offer, not wishing to cause offense where none is intended, just like Stephen.

Kindly read the lines below...slowly... and take them quite seriously as they are one of the fundamental basis of your country...and mine.