Will the Cobra stand the test of time????

[Jamo]

move on por favor...

[Bill Bess]

Motorheads will prevail and so will the Cobra, even if it has a detuned smog motor in it.

[twobjshelbys]

Trading Cobras is not the same as trading wheat or oil, or used Ford Explorers. Pricing trends cannot be reliably established because the volumes are low and each item being traded is unique.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Replica car manufacturers are going out of business because of the bad economy, not the lack of interest. How many of us can realistically afford a million dollar Cobra? .... That's what I thought. Replicas are the only way most of us will ever be able to own and drive the car we covet, be it a Cobra, Lambo, Ferrari or whatever. I'd go out on a limb and guess most Cobra owners weren't born in 1964/67, and if they were, were too young to have noticed what it was. These cars will not disappear. Just look at the number of newbies here planning and asking what to buy or build. The Cobra just may be the most desireable car in the world today, even (especially) overseas.

[Ronbo]

Might seem like an odd view...

We are quite possibly sitting in the pinnacle of Cobra evolution, with the Kirkhams billet car being the "ultimate" ever Cobra. (at least untill the next one comes along)

Hell, the government and insurance companies can't kill interest in these cars, just look at all the "exemption" loop holes out there.

If it wasn't for Carroll Shelby being a PIA to deal with there would really be a "modern" version of the Cobra to compliment the versions of the Mustang, Corvette, Camaro available today.

I suppose the day a drop dead gorgeous gal can't get paid for a lap dance will be the time when men's desire for these deadly mistresses fades.

[pablo63]

ZOERA-SC7XX: Replica car manufacturers are going out of business because of the bad economy, not the lack of interest.


Cobra manufacturers? Which ones? I'm not being sarcastic I would just like to know.

[KevinW]

i think Ronbo's bang on the money.

....and....


good to see evan posting again. i like his entertaining posts.
maybe a broken record to some, but these things never fail to keep me coming back to read the whole thread! cant say that about any other poster.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by pablo63

ZOERA-SC7XX: Replica car manufacturers are going out of business because of the bad economy, not the lack of interest.


Cobra manufacturers? Which ones? I'm not being sarcastic I would just like to know.

If you've read these pages for the last couple years, you would have read who didn't deliver the paid-for cars, who didn't deliver the paid-for parts, who renegged on promises and took deposits without any intention of completing the deals. You would have also read who sold their business and left open orders and undelivered MSO's.

[REAL 1]

Finally, the recognition I deserve.

I don't know how anyone can make a statement as broad as "replica companies are going out of business" and second its because of the economy without backing it up with specifics and facts.

I'm not intereseted in the downturn in replica sales because of the bad economy. Most everything is down including the morale of the country.

My concern is that these great cars "REAL" and replica alike (oops did it againsilly me ) will fade away with the upcoming generations.

I for one have no confidence in todays generation. They are products all to often of lax parents or absent parents, too little discipline, failing schools and bad teachers that are impossible to get rid of due to Union Agreements and all too often by the time they graduate H.S. have little or no knowledge of history and civics let alone automotive history and the iconic cars of the past. They can't even pull their pants up and figure out how to wear a baseball cap right. I could give you specific examples of some conversations I have had with H.S. seniors recently and it was scary.

So...point is...these guys/generation who have little interest beyond their cell phones, social justice,carbon foot prints, engines that run on alpha sprouts, Hondas with NOS, Face Book and My Space are going to carry the torch of these iconic cars??? I'm not buoyant on the future of these cars as I once was.

And while I did mention REAL and non real cobras in my original thread post the reason was simple. Very simply both REAL Cobras and non real cobras, replicas or whatever you call them are inextricably linked to each other. One sprang from the other because of the love a generation had for the car. If that love for the car disappears both disappear, kinda like the dinosaurs.

Yeah, I admit one reason (not the only one though) I bought a Continuation series was I thinking it would have a better chance of retaining its value or even increasing in value if SA ever stopped producing them. Truth be told, I didn't see the vacuous nature of the next generation coming 10 years ago. I'm concerned that all these cars are doomed. It has me down actually. These cars in a way stand for and represent American pride and greatness and showed what Americans could do with a little American ingenuity, grit and muscle. A four wheeled representative of American greatness. The Cobra is more than one of the worlds fastest cars. I'm actually proud of the Cobra and what it represents because to me it is a representative of American Greatness. It's a living record of what ordinary American guys can do with grit and determination. We beat the world's best manuafacturers that dominated the worlds fastest and most demanding circuits with those fancy overengineered European V12s with good ol American Cast Iron V8s built by home grown California hot rodders. Those cars are from an era when men were men and the world respected America. Along with the men that made it great, it is an American hero.

I'd hate to see the Cobra become the victim of the nimrods that by and large the next generation is offering.

My two cents.

I hope I'm wrong.

[computerworks]

Rest easy and trust the future

In 25 years, there will be some dork claiming he has a REAL Smartcar and not one of them clone EVs.

[RodKnock]

You alone are the author of your future. Buddha.

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

... I for one have no confidence in todays generation. They are products all to often of lax parents or absent parents, too little discipline, failing schools and bad teachers that are impossible to get rid of due to Union Agreements and all too often by the time they graduate H.S. have little or no knowledge of history and civics let alone automotive history and the iconic cars of the past. They can't even pull their pants up and figure out how to wear a baseball cap right. I could give you specific examples of some conversations I have had with H.S. seniors recently and it was scary ...

I hear and appreciate what you are saying and can agree with a lot of it ... but I for one, do have confidence in a least some of the next generation.

I was an active Band Booster for 10 years at the local public High School while my kids were there, and can say from what I saw, there are a lot of smart, hard working and dedicated students out there. Yes there is a wide range of kids, some headed in the right direction, and others are not.

From what I see, there is also interest in cars by the next generation, maybe not as much interest in the fire breathing all American V8 that we all know and love, but some kids really do appreciate the 'old' stuff.

Given the relative small number of Cobras of all types out there, I believe they will always be desirable. Whether they go up or down in 'value' I have no idea, but I think there will be a continued interest in these cars as time goes by.

just my .02

[KevinW]

hmm, you kinda spolit it a little for me there Evan, be nice to at least mention the guys at Taggs Island , - it was the 289 and daytona that held the real glory - the 427, although we all love it, was really 'the turd'.

i share your concerns about the new generation. i thnk part of it is sourced in the increasing complexity of consumer technology. when we were kids we had lego (buildablocks in the US?) and meccano tomake things with, and we could take apart things to see how they worked. you cant do that with an xbox or a cell phone. its a black box. when we had our first cars, i'll bet loads of guys here pulled them apart, installed stuff and, well, at least changed the oil themselves to save a few $$$.

but on an optimistic note, why is it that the GT40 and the cobra and the e-type and the mustang all command interest from people today, yet all came from a particular decade? I dont believe its just interest in nostalgia. Im a child of the 60s, but Id never heard of or seen a cobra till I was 30 - ok bit late to the table i know. but its something to do with the simplicity, the elegance, the shapes of those cars, and i think maybe something to do with the lack of moulded plastic bumpers and moulded plastic this and that and... i dunno what. I think its a bit like classic art .... you know S**t when you see it, and you know genius when you see it, defining it is harder.

[Bartruff1]

I see no reason to think that the original cars will not retain their relative value as " B " Class Collectibles into the future along with the SWB and Lightweight Ferraris, Astons, Jags, SL's...I would suspect they would continue to increase in value. If you could get your hands on one of the significant race cars (CSX2323 eg...) you would have a very valuable and rare object. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Brian's AC cars don't increase in value. As long as cars stay in production it seems to me that the continuation cars and replica cars will just be used cars ???....now...if for some reason (regulation ?) the cars are no longer produced they might keep some inflation adjusted value. IMHO the current market for 50's - 70's muscle cars is a bubble created by the baby boomers and that the only cars in that group worth collecting are the COPO's and 65 and 66 Shelby 350's the original Trans Am race cars...etc...rare cars ... as for the current generation, thoughout recorded history they have been criticized as "unworthy" but in fact we continue to build more just and peaceful , properous , tolerant and democratic and free societies....old farts are just grouchy, remembering a imaginary past and fearing a imaginary future...

[Paul F]

Ok Evan, I think I finally understand your passionate posturing for your car; to have the non-60s Shelby Cobra cars be recognized as something special so that they retain some higher value.

Secondly, this thread is to further inquire if the whole hobby's future; which would also affect that value. Ok, clear enough.

I have an opposite view. I would rather have the Cobras not be popular. I don't care what my car is worth. I intend to keep it for life and enjoy it as much as possible. I drive it every chance I get. I like that it is unique. If the hobby becomes much more popular, these cars will become like Hondas; ordinary. The main attraction for me is the styling, the simplicity of the car, the rawness of it. Along with that is the fact that the car is somewhat unique. If they become popular, they lose that uniqueness.

[1ntCobra]

Well Evan you can be depressing, but how about these scenarios for 30 years from now:

Hey look at that old car. I can't believe someone still has one that runs on gasoline. How can they afford it at $73 a gallon. I just fill up the tank with water in my hybrid fuel-cell/solar car. The 1750 ft lbs of torque has me flying down the road...

or

Hey look at that old car. I can't believe someone still has one that runs on gasoline. How can they afford it at $73 a gallon. Remember when we all went back to the simple life and became Amish and all of those city folks without a working farm starved to death? My horse has 1 hp, what more do I need.

[REAL 1]

Well, I hope those that are more optimistic are right about the next generation. However, when you add the issue of the next generation being underachievers with the ever growing population of immigrants that are slowly taking over our economy (fortunately the antibodies in our country are kicking in i.e. the immigration law in AZ and similar laws being drafted in 19 other states) I am/was seeing a growing sea of people that have no interest in these cars no less the U.S. I'm crossing my fingers I'm wrong.

My concern is seeing the interest in these cars carry on to the next generation. Real and Non real alike. While of course we all would like what we own to hold its value well or even appreciate in value, me being no different, I agree that as long as Continuation series are being made they will not appreciate in value as one of you pointed out. But the Continuation series Cobras were not and are not the focus of this thread. All these cars, real and non real were the focus and not really the issue of drop in value that may come with a drop in interest although the value issue was mentioned by me. It was really over a concern that in years to come a lack in interest may see alot of these cars disappear with time. Kinda like when the automobile came along the interest in the horse and buggy disappeared and then the horse and buggy disappeared.

[Fordzilla]

In my humble opinion,... Unfortunately, I think the hobby will fade. Not only the car hobby but I see a huge shift in other hobbies as well such as gun collecting, antiques & collectibles collecting, etc. The younger generations do not have the love of this as the older ones do. Go to a show & look around at the average age of those atending & those displaying. Yes, there are a few younger people interested because their Dad is involved but look at the average age of everyone. The younger generations care about technology.... They want Blackberry, Ipod, the newest greatest cell phone, X Box, etc. They don't care about owning or collecting cars, guns, antiques, etc. As the older generations die, so does the market for these things. I have seen a huge drop/shift in the swords, guns & collectibles market. 10-15 years ago, swords & cowboy collectibles were at an all time high as the generation that was interested in them (The WWII generation) was still buying them & the market was huge. Slowly that market has died as the generation is passing & those that have not passed on are selling, not buying. Today, I can't give a Tom Mix poster away where as 10-15 years ago it was an easy $500. Yes, There are those that will be interested in Cobras but not nearly in the numbers there are today. So, in summary,...If you are into it, own it, enjoy it, drive it, smoke the tires off it, etc, as someday the only cobra you will see will be in a museum or............The Cobra in the Barn.

Regards,

[mdross1]

So hard to say but if history rings true,I think the future looks bright.Because of the current events,especially the Gulf mess we are all holding our breath.More and more people around the world are driving using more and more fossil fuels,again who knows.One thing is for certain,car guys will always be car guys,one way or the other we will have our prides and joy.We just might have to convert them to Hydogen, where do we sign up.