[What'saCobra?]

Surprise to me. And to the FIA.

MKIV's are eligible for historic FIA papers in Europe and therefore, here.

They are regularly raced accross the pond and versions (usually Lightweights, why else?) appear at Goodwood and other events, as well as quite regularly in club racing.

But, it is true that LimeRock historic events place them as replicas, at my last look. i think this is simply an artifact of the proximity of SAAC management, who view MKIV's is as replicas of their precious. It is clearly stated by them that they concern themselves (at least originally) with MKIV's to ensure none are mis-represented as originals (there is a welcoming attitude). No doubt the organizers of LimeRock Park events have had an earful from SAAC management on a regular basis (some living a mere 20 miles away) and are biased against their entry thereby.

But, they are certainly not replicas. They are Cobras, no less, IMHO. (Quick, duck!)

Meanwhile, they aren't Shelby's, nor have i ever seen ONE represented as an original. i will allow i don't see everything and it certainly may have happened; as there is little limit to the creative imagination of some sellers and the depths of vacuous dis-information held by some buyers.

Maybe Nedley or some other has seen some attempt like this in the past and would comment.

Recently, a GB spec. Lightweight 351 was sold here in the US for over £60K including local transport, but that is the only US data point i know.

i think it is tough (but not impossible) for MKIV's, regular US spec, to pull over $50K, unless it is very special, like a genuine soFE or something is installed (a tough fit, requiring lots of foot box modification and fuse-box re-placement from the passenger foot-box extension). They are not very popular at the moment and haven't been for something over 10 years or so (more or less slowly dropping in value as various SPF, Shelby and Kirkham high quality items became available). i recall some sold at over $100K during the early eighties when they became available in the USA. Some sold in GB for £100K! But, that was only for a short while.

Currently, $50K buys a very recent & nice little-used SPF in excellent shape, as a quick review of CC ads reveal. Used SPF's have very few "issues" to deal with (unlike a modified MKIV & depending on your state of residence) and are an excellent buy, particularly for the first or second time Cobraphile. And, some SPF's commonly weigh less than a still-legal US spec MKIV. So, the MKIV offers no obvious performance improvement and might be twenty-something years old. These and other factors have limited the appeal of MKIV's over the last 10 years.

But, they are lovely sports cars in their own right and offer high build quality, good performance and great style for the dollar. There is something to be said (both good [bragging rights]and not so good [repair costs]) about an all aly bodywork, but light weight isn't the principal advantage. As the above repair estimates forecast on the crashed MKIV, they are NOT cheap to repair if the driver simultaneously runs out of road, traction and ideas...

FRP is comparatively quite easy to rebuild and first time Cobra owners, in particular, should keep that obvious advantage in mind, as they learn how to drive and set-up their first Cobra. An aly bodywork is not the first choice to have as a newbie discovers the limits of their new car, their reserve skills or their better judgement...

IMHO, most Cobras ought not to be considered or purchased as entry-level performance machines. In this regard, MKIV's repair properly at about the same costs as the earliest originals. Not for the faint-of-heart... driving or fixing.