Almost 14 years as a Cobra owner and it still happens

[Clois Harlan]

That's right I have owned my Cobra since December 1999 and I can take it out for a drive and still get thumbs up, honks, and accolades of all kinds. There is something magical about these little cars that envokes respect and passion from the most unlikely of people.

I had my Cobra out Tuesday afternoon while Tulsa was enjoying some 70 degree days. The wife and I took it to Pei Wei for an early dinner and sure enough as we were sitting on the patio no less than 10 or 12 people casually walked around it. As we left many of those same people were also on the patio and as I fired it up they all stood up to have a look see.

I truely love my Cobra and all that it entails. Oh yea my Coupe will have the same effect except I have to tell people that it is NOT a Corvette.

Clois Harlan
enjoying life in a Cobra and a Coupe

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Clois:

Same thing happens to me and all I have is a 65 Mustang Fastback (painted to look like a GT 350),been driving mine since 1995 and I really think I enjoy it more now than before.......

At least once a year someone comes by to make an offer on the car, I always tell them it's "Not For Sale"........one guy told me,"everything is for sale", and asked what it would take to buy it, I thought for a while and gave him the price that it would take for me to part with my car,which was about double the actual value at the time, he looked at me real funny and said,"you don't want to sell it then"!!!!!!!! I said, "that's what I've been telling you all along"........
BTW: years ago I had one elderly lady tell me that was the purtiest Corvette she had seen in a long time.....

David

[Clois Harlan]

It's nice to be out and not see yourself coming and going on the streets. The really neat thing is that my Cobra is probably worth more today than it was when I finished building it. They are a nice hobby that actually rewards you for ownership .

[bliss]

I wonder what it is that prompts people to both notice Cobra's and acknowledge them by waving or a thumb up?

[tcrist]

Most of the time it is thumbs up but sometimes you get the occasional tree hugger that flips you off. Usually as they drive past you a 90MPH in a Prius or the like. They are really saving gas there.

I had mine out last Saturday and in two different cars there were people taking pictures as I was driving down the freeway.

[Clois Harlan]

I know, that has happened to me as well both the picture taking and the one finger salute! I wonder what people do with the pictures? I am always amazed at the very old and very young that are attracted to the Cobra. When I first got mine and was driving it about every waking moment I was even flashed a few times. Gotta love some people appreciation of things! : )

[Skuzzy]

Originally Posted by bliss

I wonder what it is that prompts people to both notice Cobra's and acknowledge them by waving or a thumb up?

I have no idea. When I packed up my kit and loaded it in a U-Haul and put the partial roller on a trailer behind the U-Haul, I had all manner of people pulling up beside me, on the freeway, giving me a thumbs up.

And that was just a partial roller (body was just sitting on the frame, I had to strap it down). I cannot imagine what it is going to be like when I actually drive the car around.

[Thor maine]

Almost 33 years for me , never gets old.

[avanti-176]

As much as it happens to me in the Cobra, it happens probably 10 times as much when I am driving the Avanti, I have personally seen 4 accidents that happened while people were staring at the car and drove into the back of the stopped car in front of them (3 of those while I was sitting at the same stop sign )

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by bliss

I wonder what it is that prompts people to both notice Cobra's and acknowledge them by waving or a thumb up?

Have only been driving ours for a short time and had it out for a bit earlier today.

Got a thumbs up from a guy driving by in a new convertible Ferrarri. I wondered then how many other cars get that?

Later getting gas, a woman came up and said her mom wanted to know what it was. Her mom was waiting in the car and appeared to be in her late '80's, early '90's. We had a nice chat about it. She was real interested and asked lots of questions.

Good day and good times for sure.

[RET_COP]

Clois,
Cobra owners across our nation should be glad that [You], and others like You, are Cobra owners. < SALUTE> Ride on dear sir!! I hope to do the same
Lou

[CowtownCobra]

Ten years next month, all I know is I'M still smiling!

[gsharapa]

18 years for me with 6 Cobras.....Had lots of other muscle cars, street rods and performance hot rods for previous 27 years and the Cobras were the best......

[HI Cobra]

I've had my Classic Roadster since 2000 and the Kirkham since 2008 and it
doesn't matter to me which one I am in, I still get a thrill firing it up and driving out of the garage to hit the road! The Kirkham is in Texas and the roads there are much more user friendly than they are in Hawaii where the CR resides.
Love these cars!

[Rick Parker]

I have a destination point that I typically head for that gives me a 35 mile round trip when ever I want to go for a drive. It gives me a combination of curving shady roads running next to a river that can be driven at 45-50 and some short stretches that can be taken a little higher (???). Whenever I need to clear out the cobwebs and just enjoy the sounds and smells of the car this is where I head. It never fails to rejuvenate me. The car squirts like a pinched Watermelon seed, the side pipes wail and and the Webers try to suck the paint off of the back of the hood. It just responds the way no other car can or will. It just rejuvenates the Soul. 25 years and going strong. Plain & simply; it just makes me feel good. I can't explain it ant better.

[Clois Harlan]

Thank you for the compliment Lou! I salute you as well.


Rick I love your vocabulary:

The car squirts like a pinched Watermelon seed, the side pipes wail and and the Webers try to suck the paint off of the back of the hood. It just responds the way no other car can or will.

The cars are unique in theirselves but another aspect of ownership are those that share our passion. I can honestly say I have never met a Cobra owner I couldn't find something to discuss. I think we are a pretty good group of guys and gals (sounds like a Broadway Play or something) that sincerely care about our fellow enthusiast whether they be in a Cobra, Camaro, Mustang, or Avanti.

[trularin]

Clois, you are absolutely correct.

Mine is many years and I can say the thrill is still there.

People walk across the parking lot to look over the Cobra.

I get the, "is that an MG?" question.

I haven't had it refered to a corvette in a long time.

I can not see me without this car.

Tru

[Clois Harlan]

I would think that your experience with your Cobra has inspired a chapter or two in one of your books? If not it will in time. Perhaps your next book could be along the lines of the life of a pretender (you know replica types like us)

Good to see you still on the board David.


Clois

[PurpleVenom]

My most enjoyable experiences are when I'm out and about and a family, or father son want to look at the car. I always offer for the kids to sit in the car while their parents take pictures. I'm not sure who's happier, the parents or the kids. I've never been given the one finger salute, I know I'm usually ahead of the Prius I've had mine for 6 years, and can't wait until i get it back from the engine shop and try out some new parts....

[vector1]

i think kids really get a kick out of them which is great. never had the finger solute, still waiting for the flash!