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

[Excaliber]

Wow, yet another FULL BLOWN is it real thread. I thought for a moment it might trail off into oblivion, but nope, this one is the "real deal",,, again.

rustyBob mentioned those AC emblems, I want to do that on my car as well! Steering wheel hub, front, rear. Just to be different I think, it's a little twist on the history. Heck why not, I drive a fake anyway.

Now don't nobody else get any ideas about that, rustyBob, a couple of other guys and myself, that's it, nobody else.

Always nice to see Badger out and about (by the way).

[Argess]

OK....you guys win. I asked for advice and I got it. I'll just say "No, it's a replica", and try to and see if a conversation ensues after that.

In my defense, I didn't opt for the AC brake and clutch pedals. Mine say ERA and I'm comfortable with that.

It's hard not to care about what people say or think. I don't think I'm alone. Look at all the reponses to the "Did your Cobra get any recognition lately" thread. Many of those stories wouldn't be remembered if the CObra owner didn't care, at least a little bit, what people think.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Paul F

I need to raise my post count somehow.

I've heard if you hang a rock on the end of it that will make it grow....

[SKINNEDR]

My car is a Backdraft, so I consider it to be a Replica, not a Kit Car.
I consider a kit car, one that is produced in someones garage. My car is hand built in a factory just like a Ferrari. I have the ability to build one in my garage, but I opted not to do so.
So I don't appreciate the thought that it is a kit car. When I'm asked if it is an original I say no, it is a REPLICA.....Not a Kit Car...

I'm sure I just pissed off half of you guys, but who cares!
Have a great day.....
Dex...

[CBattaglia]

I have to admit.... A couple of times I have said "Ya". Sometimes its just easier.

The way I see it is now they can feel happy all day thinking they saw an original cobra. Good Job SPF - You fooled em' again

One guy (an older well to do fella with a $100+K porche) said "Wow, a Shelby Cobra that has to be worth a ton!" My reply was "Well the price fluctuates depending on the market" Hey, I didnt tell a lie

[Trueoo7]

I still like this answer to "is it real",
No its not, why do you have a real one? That usually stops'em dead in their tracks.

[priobe]

Just curious,

"Damn, I said I would not involve myself in this conversation"

Many have implied, that if it is built by the company that manufactures the cars to assemble the car "as a kit" it is a replica. Others have implied, that if you build it in your garage it is a kit, built from pieces.

So what are the Scratch builds considered?

Also, MANY of the cars that are built by owners are done better than the manufacture could have done. I am sure those of you that have built their cars are sure the time and attention to detail you have spent producing you car, no-one would have done the same. Regardless of how much money you spent.

Is it real, is it original, come on I have heard even the original cars were not original because of all the parts that were added and changed throughout the years. Does this make it a Kit / Replica.

Jay Leno says he has a Replica "in the truest sense of the word" What the heck does that mean? He even states that "it is an exact copy", hmm I dont know about that?

Anyway, here is a person that is financially stable and he is not comfortable with a the term kit car.

It is a kit when it is in pieces, it becomes a replica when you it is fully assembled representing what it should be representing.

[khansmith]

I always identify my car as a replica/kit car that I built. The emblem discussion is interesting. I bought cobra emblems, AC emblems but I kind of like the look of my car without them.

[Paul F]

See Evan, You have lots of company. People involved in the hobby of Cobras and Cobra reproductions get very worked up about the terms.

Those not involved in the hobby, imply nothing when they use the terms 'kit' or 'real'. They're only wanting to talk to you about your cool car and share a moment. Oh sure, there are some jerks out there, but who cares.

[patrickt]

FWIW, all of the people that have asked me "Is this real?" or who have said "Now this one's real, isn't it?" have all been perfectly innocent and, if I had answered "Yes, this is the real McCoy alright!" would have believe me hook, line, and sinker. The question was always asked in the same fashion and tone that a youngster would use when he would say "Wow, what is it?" All perfectly innocent with not a drop of malice to be found.

[decooney]

Also, take a look at those who really worry about what other people think or say about their car being orginal, real, or replica, or kit car.

Of those who really worry about it, taking a closer look, you'll notice most of them really don't put that many miles on their cars; which leads one to beleive perhaps they possibly have the car for other reasons.

What's even more hilarious is those with non-original 60s cars, trying to keep the miles down on them. Posers!

Custom built ERA 427SC replica, driven regularly, and it drives incredible is what I always say.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by priobe

Many have implied, that if it is built by the company that manufactures the cars to assemble the car "as a kit" it is a replica. Others have implied, that if you build it in your garage it is a kit, built from pieces.

So what are the Scratch builds considered?

Also, MANY of the cars that are built by owners are done better than the manufacture could have done. I am sure those of you that have built their cars are sure the time and attention to detail you have spent producing you car, no-one would have done the same. Regardless of how much money you spent.

Good points. I'm amused by those that think their "factory built" cars are superior to any others. I don't understand why they think a car made in a foreign country built by minimum wage workers or one built in the U.S. by illegal immigrants is better than one built in someones garage with tender loving care.

When asked if it's real, I proudly say "it's a replica that I built". That usually brings out multiple questions about the kit, costs and the build process. Much better than having to say "I bought it" and have them walk away.

[patrickt]

In my experience, the only people that even kind of knew what it was were late 40s, 50s, and 60 year old guys. The rest didn't even know what it was. I had one girl come up to me at a show and ask "Is this James Bond's car?"

[JBCOBRA]

"Is this James Bond's car?" She was thinking it was a Z8 BMW, most likely

[Argess]

I'm not sure what's happening to this thread, but it appears the air is getting cleared. I may clear the air myself pretty soon, but there's enough discussion stimulation as it is...

OH !......I can't believe someone hasn't gone to the Gallery and posted a comment under my car pic saying "Is it real?"..........LOL

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

"Is this James Bond's car?" She was thinking it was a Z8 BMW, most likely

You know, I bet you're right. And all this time I was thinking Aston Martin, but I think you're probably right.

[RodgerH]

Most of my gearhead buddies are in local car clubs and sponsor/attend the local outdoor shows and cruise-ins. Cars include the vintage daily drivers, 60's and 70's muscle cars, and street rods. Street rods include both the original steel body cars that have been customized (chopped, channeled, fendered, fenderless, whatever), and also the "custom-built" cars with box or tube chassis and fiberglass bodies.

What is interesting with the street rod crowd is they don't seem to care if the car is original steel or a fiberglass reproduction. You don't hear "Oh, that's not a real '32 Ford coupe." The reproduction owners are quick (and enjoy) talking about the details of their build.

This great attitude the street rod guys have is the reason I struggle with this "real" or "replica" or "kit-car" battle.

I knew when I bought my Superformance that it was not, and never would be, a real mid '60s car. I do not have any Cobra or 427 S/C badges to try and mislead anyone into thinking otherwise. My floormats say "Superformance". I tell people it is a replica.

I have the space, tools and talent, and I would have enjoyed building a kit-car; but at 60, I wanted to enjoy driving it too. So I compromised...I bought a roller and did my own install.

I have loved the look of the Cobra since I first saw a "real one" back in 1967, purchased by a local business owner. I enjoy my SPF, for what it is and what I have done (and continue doing) to it. I feel no desire to try and convince the world that it is anything else. It is an amazing replica of an amazing car.

Rodger

[Hydramada]

When I get asked "Is it real?" I usually tap the fender and say, "I think so..... the hallucinations stopped with the medication."

[Trueoo7]

Originally Posted by patrickt

You know, I bet you're right. And all this time I was thinking Aston Martin, but I think you're probably right.

Although James Bond did drive a cobra, a red one with white stripes, in a video game as pointed out to me by my son.

[Gatorac]

I have 2 different answers to question 1. First is; "Noooo, are you kidding?" "It's a replica". The kit/not kit question usually comes up then.

Second answer is "Yup". I chuckle on the inside about this guy telling his friends or some other replica owner that he saw a "real" one at the local gas station.

I think it may be age or miles driven in my Cobra. I just don't care what they say back. The could tell me "oh, it's one of those fake plastic sh!t box's". I'd go, "yup, sure is, and I drive the snot out of it".