How to deal with questions/comments where the answer is....well....you know...

[tcrist]

Here we go again. You know what they are really asking so just answer it. No & No.

[FIA-ERA]

I've had my car out only 5 or 6 times and I've been asked that question every time! The very first time I put gas in it, a man and his wife said is it real or a KIT? I said a kit, he says aluminum or fiberglass? I said fiberglass..... OH! OK! He has no teeth, she is missing a lot herself, he is driving a beat to crap Aerostar and has the nerve to say OH... I mean, seriously, what I wanted to say is that Carroll Shelby's personal Aerostar your driving? I sort of blew it off but every time since it's the big question!

I just finally said yep it's a kit, when's the last time you saw a real one or do I look I could afford a $200K car? I guess I'm pretty young to even have a Replica and I'm proud of that! It really throws them off when I say it's a small block car! They say what, it's not a 427, nope AND it's actually a FIA Replica, a whaaaaat?? That's when I know it's time to move on, I've really lost them! Matt

[RodKnock]

Went to fill up myself today and was asked the "Is it real?" question. I said "No." It's really not that hard of a question to answer.

[Dangerous Doug]

To me, it's all about how the question is asked. Some people ask in all sincerity, still appreciating the fact that it's a *****'n car. Some people ask AS IF it's nothing unless it's an original Cobra from the sixties. These people don't get much of my time.

I got a LOT of "thumb's up" from people today, and yesterday a guy in a new, convertible Corvette gave me a "that's so cool" point. I ran into one odd-ball outside the parts store---and he was driving a beat-to-hell econobox.

My favorite was today. I drove my Cobra down to the store, and had to bribe my son to come with me by telling him I'd buy him a potted flower (he's quite the gardener, at seven years old). I was explaining this to a cute girl behind the counter as I bought the flower, and she asked what car was mine (that I was bribing my son to ride in). "You mean that TOTALLY AWESOME car out there?!?"

"Yeah, the totally awesome car out there."

Made my day.
DD

[Paul F]

'No. It's a kit'.....or, if you are an insecure person,
'No', followed by a long embellishment to make yourself feel better.

You should have figured this out before you bought a copy of a 196x car.

[Jamo]

There is already an 11 page thread on this...started last October and posted on as recently as 5-12-10.

Merged.

[LRRCobradreamer]

To the question, "Is it real" I have started answering "If it was, it would not be here" (Also meaning I could not affort it). That usually gets a laugh and breaks the ice, then other questions flow.

Lee

[vector1]

everybody should start driving originals.

i had this old skinny african fella at the gas station the other day comment on my jbl, he says man, i like your toy. i say thank you sir. he goes inside then comes back out and is driving off and says he is from michigan and retired from ford. he says "that car is the sheits"! didn't ask if it was original or not, he knew that car was the "sheits". made both our days.

[Michael C Henry]

I have a license plate frame on my Land Cruiser that says "Don't laugh, My other car is a Cobra" The TV delivery guy (a kid) asks do you have a mustang? He was suprised when I took him to my garage and showed him what a Cobra was supposed to look like and was really surprised when I lifted the hood.

[Night Enforcer]

When they ask if it is real---I say "No, it's a hand built tribute car-to the 1965 Shelby Cobra. What do you think?" Most reply something like "Looks awesome" or "looks like the real thing" or "man it's beautiful!" or something else super complimentary. Some ask which company built it, but most do not. The next question usually has to do with what's under the hood.

The answer seems to keep everyone on friendly terms.

[mic n gill]

Its a genuine original replicar---hehe---Mic

[Commodore]

How about..........."It's as original as I could afford when I assembled it". When you're traveling down a highway and receive a thumbs up from a biker, another sports car or what ever your car is as real as it gets. The cars manufacture (originals included) has little if anything to do with the smile you and that admirer shared in that brief moment. Don't forget that when asked the 'standard questions' you have one and the person asking the questions most likely doesn't. Enjoy what you've got.
RB

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by cobraman428

I get tired of pulling up to a stoplight and being asked "Is your cobra real or fake"?

This discussion reminds me of attractive women who wear provocative clothing. They are more than pleased when handsome men take notice. But treat the less fortunate with unpleasant responses (I should know).

If your not prepared to be pleasant and take all comers when driving your eye candy, then don't drive it. We are so fortunate to be able to afford these cars. We are driving a car that is the lifelong dream of many. Like an attractive women or a celebrity, we need to have the grace to take what comes with the territory. Sure there are morons out there, but the vast majority are just happy to see your car and want to have a simple exchange with you. They don't know what to say. Maybe it's their lifelong dream to see a real one. Who knows.

Life is good.

[Jamo]

Hehehe...I once had a moronic woman with big plastic boobs ask me if "is it real?"

My answer: "You first."

[DocDirk]

I find that when asked "Is it real?" most folks are disappointed to just hear that my car is a replica, so instead I just say "No, I built it myself..." that seems to convert disappointment to fascination.

If asked about the bad mileage I just respond "Yeah, but the FUN factor is through the roof!!"...they understand right away what I mean and start drooling over the experience we have.

I have a 533 BB in my beastie and had custom side emblems made with the same number on them, yet folks still stop to ask what the displacement is lol (maybe they know the emblem isn't always indicative).

If asked what kind of car it is I know I'm dealing with someone who's unfamiliar with the classics so I just say it's a replica of the 1960's Cobra and they get to nod as if they knew what I was talking about.

Sure is true, gas stops can be 20 minute affairs before everyone's questions are answered, but that's still fun for me....travelling in Arizona last year, my son and I took a photo of the crowd gathered around with their cameras taking pictures of us as we took off - what a hoot the entire experience is!!

One lucky Cobra owner,

Dirk

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Hehehe...I once had a moronic woman with bug plastic boobs ask me if "is it real?"

My answer: "You first."

What do BUG plastic boobs look like? Do they have feelers?

[Jamo]

Fixed, but as a matter of fact...yes, they all have "feelers" thankusbetogod.

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Hehehe...I once had a moronic woman with big plastic boobs ask me if "is it real?"

My answer: "You first."

I'm using that one.

[KevinW]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Hehehe...I once had a moronic woman with big plastic boobs ask me if "is it real?"

My answer: "You first."

brilliant

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by jhv48

What do BUG plastic boobs look like? Do they have feelers?

Pick me! Pick me!