The future of Cobras and hobby kit cars?

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I'm sure you know that AL427SBF was using a metaphor ...

yup

[NewYorkGuy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I'm curious, do you find that most of the kids that you see will cry , if the see a SBF under the hood, as Patrick keeps suggesting over and over?

One of these days, I'm going to test the OP's theory. I've gotta find a "tuner" F&F (Fast & Furious)-type event though. There's a new monthly Cars & Coffee-type event just started in my area a couple months ago. While I haven't brought my Cobra out there yet, it's only a "rich old fart" type deal.

I'd still like to see how my polished aluminum Cobra w/BBF fairs against the likes of the new or newer Ferrari's, Porsche's, Viper's, Maserati's, Lambo's, etc. Will I get a 1st or 2nd look? Also, maybe the CC crowd will stop "giving me the business," or S, about not ever taking my Cobra outside the garage.

The first thing a young guy will ask if your car is wrapped in vinyl chrome. U will get plenty of looks and car respect before they frown on your interior and see a stick shift.

[itstock]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I'm curious, do you find that most of the kids that you see will cry , if the see a SBF under the hood, as Patrick keeps suggesting over and over?

One of these days, I'm going to test the OP's theory. I've gotta find a "tuner" F&F (Fast & Furious)-type event though. There's a new monthly Cars & Coffee-type event just started in my area a couple months ago. While I haven't brought my Cobra out there yet, it's only a "rich old fart" type deal.

I'd still like to see how my polished aluminum Cobra w/BBF fairs against the likes of the new or newer Ferrari's, Porsche's, Viper's, Maserati's, Lambo's, etc. Will I get a 1st or 2nd look? Also, maybe the CC crowd will stop "giving me the business," or S, about not ever taking my Cobra outside the garage.

Go to a Cars and Coffee meet and I bet you that half of the people there are young kids who have an interest in cars and photography.

It is a 50/50 with my car, a boring bright red cobra that is parked far away from the exotics and mixed among the daily driver cars. The polished Kirkhams do garner more attention so you should fetch even more glances.

Again, people of all ages love the Cobra and it's lines. It's just a badass (or beautiful as that high maintenance chick in the Range told me the other day) looking car. Little kids like it. Big kids like us like them. And for some reason, the women, perhaps high on exhaust fumes, seem to like them as well.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

Yes, I am curious too. It must be a high end fake. That's like buying a fake Rolex when u already have a real Patek or Jaeger. The stigma is always present inside your mind and among your peers.

You use the words "fake" and "stigma" and I'm wondering if you really want a Cobra in your garage. If and when you do buy a Cobra, you may find the "Is it real?" question a bit traumatic.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by itstock

Go to a Cars and Coffee meet and I bet you that half of the people there are young kids who have an interest in cars and photography.

It is a 50/50 with my car, a boring bright red cobra that is parked far away from the exotics and mixed among the daily driver cars. The polished Kirkhams do garner more attention so you should fetch even more glances.

Again, people of all ages love the Cobra and it's lines. It's just a badass (or beautiful as that high maintenance chick in the Range told me the other day) looking car. Little kids like it. Big kids like us like them. And for some reason, the women, perhaps high on exhaust fumes, seem to like them as well.

Actually, in all seriousness, living in/around/near Silicon Valley, this event does get a fair amount of younger car fanatics. Between all the local tech and venture capital companies, you do see a lot of 20-somethings with big bucks and exotic new cars. And some fancy new bicycles too.

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I'd still like to see how my polished aluminum Cobra w/BBF fairs against the likes of the new or newer Ferrari's, Porsche's, Viper's, Maserati's, Lambo's, etc. Will I get a 1st or 2nd look?

I expect that car would get a lot of positive attention at an event like that. I know it would here.

[NewYorkGuy]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

That's my point, you are a spectator in this sport, make as much noise as you like

typical old guy response, very donald sterling.

Father Time doesn't stop for a Cobra

nyg

[NewYorkGuy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You use the words "fake" and "stigma" and I'm wondering if you really want a Cobra in your garage. If and when you do buy a Cobra, you may find the "Is it real?" question a bit traumatic.

Yes, I want a Cobra. It's on the bucket list but I am in no hurry.

Yes, it is a fake because I can't afford the real deal.

Yes, I want the Cobra to piss off the wifey.

Yes, I am not a Cobra guy. Just drive it for a year or so until the next new toy.

Yes, the Cobra will eventually turn into a new kitchen or private school tuition.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I'm curious, do you find that most of the kids that you see will cry , if the see a SBF under the hood, as Patrick keeps suggesting over and over? ...

The kids are growing up RodKnock, under patrickt's tutelage the face of disappointment is a changin'.

[kevins2]

My 21 year old son bristles whenever I use the words "resale value" and "Cobra" together and reminds me that I'm never selling it - it is his when I'm done with it. So, there's one cobra replica that will be around for a while. He likes the tuners and exotics, but likes the cobra better.

I recently had paint protection film put on my car and the installer's 15 year old son had just gone for a ride in another customer's McLaren. So, I followed suit and gave him a ride in the cobra. On a return trip to his shop a couple weeks later, his Dad told me he still talks about the cobra ride and liked it better than the McLaren. So, what's been said about the appeal of these cars is absolutely true. Nothing like it.

[Xack]

________

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

typical old guy response, very donald sterling.

Father Time doesn't stop for a Cobra

nyg

You seem to perseverate or have a preoccupation with the word "age." Do you have to be an old person to say that as a non-Cobra owner, you're a "spectator"? What's age have to do with the fact that you're speaking to Cobra owners, and you have never owned one. Money is the issue, not age.

My advice, free no less, is to lighten up with calling people old. One, it's just not nice, a form of bullying, and two, without knowing your age, you may be calling someone old, when, in fact, they're younger than you. And three, if you want people to take you seriously, respect you, then insulting them is not the proper course of action.

[Jamo]

Hold on my friend, when did being old become an insult? I pride myself on being a miserable old SOB. Me thinks that folks that point out our advanced years are actually trying to excuse their own lack of assperience just like Justin Bieber when he pled "I'm just a kid!" to excuse his childish antics.

We may be getting so old that we may forget and end up loading our pants, but when we do remember to go, we at least know front to back is the bestest way.

...just sayin

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

Yes, I am not a Cobra guy. Just drive it for a year or so until the next new toy.

You will miss out on a lot....

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

The cars need a makeover, pimped out with modern comforts- auto trans, AC, Heat, Nav system, traction control, bigger wheels, and engine choice, whether it is a Chevy, Ford, Electric, turbo, etc. These cars can be hip again

Well, it has been multiple times tried before ---- even by Shelby and AC....






NOTHING, absolutely nothing can beat the original form, performance and feel....

[NewYorkGuy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You seem to perseverate or have a preoccupation with the word "age." Do you have to be an old person to say that as a non-Cobra owner, you're a "spectator"? What's age have to do with the fact that you're speaking to Cobra owners, and you have never owned one. Money is the issue, not age.

My advice, free no less, is to lighten up with calling people old. One, it's just not nice, a form of bullying, and two, without knowing your age, you may be calling someone old, when, in fact, they're younger than you. And three, if you want people to take you seriously, respect you, then insulting them is not the proper course of action.

If I have slighted you, I want to apologize. It was not in any way intentional. I joined this forum to have fun, research, and avoid ownership pitfalls. Yes, all my questions are from the outside looking in. I do want to play when I am ready.

best,
nyg

[NewYorkGuy]

If any makers/dealers want to share their opinions about the future of Cobra replicas, please chime in.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

If any makers/dealers want to share their opinions about the future of Cobra replicas, please chime in.

Would that be these guys here?

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

... I looked at the websites of JBL, ERA, SHell, Hurricane, Kirkham, FFR, BDR, SPE and they all suck ...

[NewYorkGuy]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Would that be these guys here?

Yep.

As far as website appeal, BDR/Vintage leads the pack. The car videos are crisp, good audio, excellent photography, the music fresh. I also like their youtube channel and their marketing style. Their "black" series reminds me of the Harley Davidson "Dark Custom" bikes aimed for a new buyer to the H-D lifestyle.

[G-Pete]

This isn’t a coincidence. Shelby Cobras and Cobra Replicas are a car whose sales depend disproportionately — almost exclusively, in fact — on middle-aged Caucasian males. drivers younger than 40 generally lack the time, interest or the bankroll to buy a Cobra. But by the time they get into their 60s or older, the noise and joint pain have begun to make driving lose its allure. You might still drive hard in your 60s, but you’re doing it less frequently and you probably aren’t buying a new Cobra.



The sweet spot is the mid-40s to early 50s. And with the Baby Boomers — the largest and wealthiest generation in history — now largely aged out of this key demographic bracket, Cobra MFG have a serious problem. Generation X — my generation — is not nearly large enough to pick up the slack, and Generation Y (aka “the Millennials” or “Echo Boomers”) are decades away from being in the demographic sweet spot for Cobras, and this assumes they take to driving like their dads did. The number of American men aged 40-49 is set to decline through the early 2020s and won’t reach its old 2010 peak until 2035.


Modified Forbes report, tailored for CC