[Don]

Agree with TerrysSPF's comment:

" The replica companies are one of the biggest reasons why your name (and your car) are still popular today. "

I noticed the use of " one of the biggest reasons ", not the only reason. The average individual and even some auto hobbyists cannot by themselves determine if the Cobra is an original or a replica. Publicity and press coverage on the auction results for a Cobra as well as other media exposure, as an example, the Bill Cosby interview and Bill's narration of the Cobra given to him by Caroll Shelby as viewed on the Jay Leno show have also contributed to the popularity of the Cobra, i.e. many, many reasons for name and visual identification.

Being a Corvette owner, the Vette just does not have the WOW factor for the general public as compared to the Cobra, and never will.

In my case, the association with the desire to have a Cobra ( replica, cannot afford an original ), came from attending races at the now closed Bridgehampton , Long island NY track and Watkins Glen . Reinforcement came from attending the AACA Fall National Meet in Hershey PA for many years and seeing a Cobra. AACA only allows original vehicles that are 25 years or older. Their Club rules do not allow for modified vehicles or replicas as their charter purpose was specifically for the Antique Auto enthusiasts .

I " think " , subject to correction by others that have attended, but either or both the SAAC and/or Shelby events and Car Shows at Lime Rock Park in CT are for originals only, no replicas of any type.

From David S.Wallen's Turn One Article in the December edition of Grassroots Motorsports:

" In reality, we should think of ourselves as ambassadors. To the rest of the world, we;re just a bunch of geeks playing with cars; and to someone new to motorsports, we might be the deciding factor as to whether they stick with it or move to a different hobby-like softball or fishing or something that doesn't involve four-wheeled things that go vroom vroom while devouring copious amounts of time and cash "

Thought the last few words would provide a lite moment for a Thread that has 235 replies and 10,981 views over the last 5 days