Cobra draws attention to every pin-head

poisonsnake · #1 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 10:55 AM

Has anyone else noticed an increased obnoxious behavior by BMW,Cadillac or any other higher dollar vehicle when driving your cobra? Have to watch out for others as if I were driving a motorcycle. Seem to have something to prove while I'm enjoying a great cruise.

Dangerous Doug · #2 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 11:15 AM

Ah, yes, and don't forget the WRX's...

They are all short on basic math: power/weight.

DD

Gunner · #3 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 11:38 AM

I've noticed a couple of things about who pays attention.

Cops don't. I went past a bike cop monitoring a local speed trap in second gear, doing 1 under the limit, and he never looked up from his report book. Nor has any cop I've ever passed even glanced at me.

Vettes and Jaguars seem to want to come say Hi and wave.

Other sport sedan types are a mixed bag, from a nod and a thumbs-up to a "What [year] is that?"

Ricers haven't paid attention one way or t'other.

Mustang drivers... ah, Mustang drivers. They pointedly, determinedly, most assuredly maintain a blind spot one Cobra long and one Cobra wide. Mustangs of every stripe are plentiful here and I have yet to have one even notice my existence. I think it's a grim acknowledgment that something way cooler and more potent than them is on the street.

My favorite so far is the guy who pulled up next to me in a riced box, something like an Element or Cube. He stopped next to me at the light, stereo blaring. The stereo went off. The passenger window went down. I was fiddling with something and when I looked up, expecting the usual "Nice car!" or thumbs-up, I got "Sorry! Just listening..."

poisonsnake · #4 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 11:58 AM

I apologize in advance by using the names BMW & Cadillac but these have been vehicles used by pin-heads that nearly caused a collision with my pride and joy...

Gunner · #5 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 12:41 PM

"Cadillacs belong in hell." - Inferno, Niven & Pournelle

RedBarchetta · #6 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 01:09 PM

You will get used to it. I have caused two rear-end collisions by rubber neckers. Luckily both were minor incidents. All you can really do is put your car in gear and let a smirk fill your face as you fade into the distance.

-Dean

*13* · #7 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 02:44 PM

Older women look at you with that "What in the devils" Look.
Older Men Smile & Watch you go by.
Little Boys Point & tug at shirts
Hot Ladies continue with their makeup cause' personal drama is really what's important
Younger Men shine a look of utter amazement, enthusiasm or confusion.

I haven't had anyone try to race or drive insanely

Cobrabill · #8 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

Ah, yes, and don't forget the WRX's...

They are all short on basic math: power/weight.

DD

No,they are NOT.

Dangerous Doug · #9 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

No,they are NOT.

A stock WRX---even with a turbo---does not match the P/W of most Cobras.

Sure, the modified ones get crazy horsepower. Most boneheads wanting to race me are sporting off-the-shelf power---and their daddy bought it for them for their high school graduation.

Pimpy, though, with the gold bling hanging from the rear-view mirror, but it goes along with their "urban youth" look/attire (which is odd, 'cause most of them still live with their parents in upscale Los Gatos...).

DD

Gunner · #10 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

A stock WRX---even with a turbo---does not match the P/W of most Cobras.

Call me a wuss, but two cars I would avoid tangling with are the WRX STi and any Lotus Elite/Exige/Etc. They aren't necessarily superior numerically but in the right hands I think they would be very tough street competition, moreso even than most Ferraris and Lambos.

That most WRXs are driven by teen fools is a saving grace, but the problem there is that they don't know their own limits and end up looking stupid, dead, or both. I'd take a clean loss to an older, experienced driver in an Exige to wrassling with some "live forever" idiot in a Subie.

mdross1 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 04:01 AM

My take is, I never a need to prove anything,my car was built to satisfy one person,and he is writing this note.But! If provoked,and the conditions are right,whoever makes that mistake will have a lot more than they bargined for.Just like at the strip,when locking horns,I hate the competition,I hate the car I'm driving,I hate the asphalt,lastly I hate second place!This car is set up for the street,and road racing,set up to launch real hard.Okay! have to admit I do go trolling once in a while.

James Stern · #12 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 04:48 AM

Doug, I have noticed with ricers that the bigger the muffler the crazier they are

.

poisonsnake · #13 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 05:27 AM

I recently had a ride in a 1400 hp Supra.....very respectable but we are off track here!!!
The issue that I have is not with street racers but with adults in sport coupes cutting me off in traffic for no apparent reason. No traffic within a half a mile, just stupid behavior! Why I think to myself...so you can be in front of me? There's a car in front of you and we are sitting at the same red light! There seems to be a run on stupidity..I love my cobra and hate to be in these situations so I just lay off the pedal and let them have a collision w/someone else.

John McMahon · #14 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 07:07 AM

...don't overlook the fact that there are a number of pinheads behind the wheel of Cobras too.

Have met quite a few that had more money than talent, their ability to drive a high HP car, less than acceptable in my book.

But yeah, lots of idiots out there looking at ya.

Buzz · #15 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 07:26 AM

As the drivers of what are likely the most outrageous, in-your-face, attention pulling machines in the vicinity at any given time, Cobra jockeys need to be aware that people will often transpose the car's personality onto the very visible person in the cockpit. Unlike the people cocooned and semi-hidden in the enclosed, tinted interiors of their more conventional rides, we are out there with attitude, mannerisms and facial expressions on display to all who care to look.

Almost all cars come with pre concieved stereotypes about the people who drive them and for cars like the Cobra that applies in spades. Combine that with the reality that other drivers get a good, unobstructed look at the organism controlling the machine and you see that your own demeanor and behavior while driving will either reinforce or diffuse their prejudice and by extension, the way that they may be inclined to behave towards you.

The person you brand as a snobbish high-dollar pinhead in the Merc, the Caddy or the Bimmer likely expects the pinhead he sees in the Cobra to have a 50lb chip on his shoulder that screams "Yeah yeah, it's a kit car but it cost 50 grand and it can blow your sissy car away!!"

Your dismissive sideways glance at him gives him all the proof he needs and it's "Game on, a$$hole!" Nobody likes to be pre judged or stereotyped but sometimes the subconscious retaliation against being treated that way serves only to exacerbate the problem.

In truth, I am sure most Cobra folks build, buy and drive Cobras because they just love the cars and are so wrapped up in the enjoyment of driving them that they hardly notice what the drivers of other cars are doing unless someone really initiates some sort of contact or makes their presence felt. I have had the odd negative encounter while driving the Cobra but very rarely and far less so than when I drove other cars - particularly the Corvette. Most encounters with strangers have been overwhelmingly positive and I have ended up making friends with people who I probably would not have have even met otherwise.

As for the kids in the "ricers" - they are just kids and not much different than the ones who inherited and hotrodded mom's old Valiant back in the day. They are out there in their pride and joy and they come across a mean looking ol' roadster with fat tires and a bads$$ rumble and they do what kids tend to do. They are curious and intrigued and will find a way to make contact and/or get your attention.

For me, driving a Cobra is an adventure even when I am the only driver on the road. Even parked and sitting nearby on a weathered old picnic table at the beach as I was with my wife on Christmas eve it still brings a positive twist to an otherwise ordinary occasion. We went to watch the sun set and for some quiet time together amid the usual Christmas bustle of holiday traffic and visiting relatives. The beach was very quiet and as we sat with each other and our mini cooler on the run down old table, a variety of people wandered up to us and chatted a while, always starting with a question about the Cobra.

We met a local couple and their kids, an older couple from New Jersey and a very nice young family from Austria. We also chatted with one of the managers of a nearby resort who was there with his topless girlfriend, a striking, 40-odd year old British bird, remarkably good looking and well preserved with a dragon tatoo just above her butt. I had met the fellow before but that day I found out they are keen tennis players and we agreed call each other during the week to set up a match.

Had the Cobra not been there these folks would have passed on by with maybe a polite nod or no acknowledgement at all and that would have been fine too, but we did enjoy the meetings. They all approached politely and cautiously - respectful of our privacy; but approach they did and it was a beautiful afternoon.

The couple from New Jersey own a classic 450SL. Go figure.

poisonsnake · #16 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 07:51 AM

Buzz - I appreciate your perspective and will be watching for you in St. Lucia in two weeks. Your quote says it all! Have a great one!

Tommy · #17 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 07:58 AM

I suspect some of the accidents and poor driving attributed to "bad attitude" can be attributed to the fact that Cobras are smaller, LOWER and thus harder to see than most cars on the road today. Years ago I was in line in the drive through lane at my local bank in my Austin Healy Sprite. My engine was off as I waited for the driver of the car ahead to finish her business with the teller. When she finished, she popped the automatic into reverse, threw her right arm over the seat back, turned her head to the rear and looked directly over the top of my head. As I realized she intended to back up, I rushed to start my engine and get the car into reverse. Too late. She backed right into me. She never expected a car that low, so she never saw me even though I was staring at her.

Buzz · #18 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poisonsnake

Buzz - I appreciate your perspective and will be watching for you in St. Lucia in two weeks. Your quote says it all! Have a great one!

Excellent! Will you be staying in the north (Rodney Bay, Reduit, Cap Estate, etc) or down south (Soufriere, Anse Chastanet)? Let me know if you need any advice or pointers on what to see or do while on the island.

Don · #19 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 08:24 AM

After all the years since 1965/66, the COBRA still is #1 for the WOW factor. While I enjoy the Z06 for different reasons, to most observers, it's just another auto.

poisonsnake · #20 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 08:33 AM

Buzz - Only coming in for the day! I'll be on the Seadream yacht exploring the WI....I love it!!!!