Were Original Cobras Considered Kit Cars Way Back When?

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

...
Fourth, Onyx doesn't even read his own posts.

I'll take that bet, he reads 'em over and over and over. You ever see the name dropping by onyx - people, places, cars, events? The World's Most Interesting Man doesn't hold a candle to this guy ... traveling the world over on our behalf, no doubt in a salesman's cheap searsucker suit, we should feel blessed

[Nedsel]

Guess you'd have to go back and figure out if Allards, Facel-Vegas, Jensens, Sunbeam Tigers, Monteverdes, TVRs, and the like were considered "kit-cars." Quick answer - NO, they were not. A European car using an American V8 did not connote anything beyond a manufacturer choosing to source a power plant outside of what the manufacturer could supply internally.

[NewYorkGuy]

yep, some people turn this forum into personal attacks.

[DanEC]

They were rollers as received by SAI and production automobiles out of Carroll's shop/Ford's doors.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by OnyxRider

Do I hear something from the peanut gallery?

Yup...but not from the peanut gallery.

Getting damn tired of personal shots for no particular damn reason. If someone doesn't like a thread...then stay the hell off of it.

On the other hand...be nice to have a few days without some historical question concerning what the definition of this or that is that obviously will draw the flies.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Speaking of fiction, how is the paypal account doing when ya whip 'em online with that logitech G27 race wheel
OnyxRider, is nyg your brother?
.

Here's a damn good example. If you have nothing to add to the discussion, kindly STFU.

It's a rather simple concept.

I'm going to start taking particular folks out instead of just closing threads.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

yep, some people turn this forum into personal attacks.

...and some folks ought to take a break.

[Jamo]

No...they were never considered a kit car just as other chassis/engine combos never were. For crying out loud, Ace was using everyone else's motors before Shelby showed up. The 50s were also the breeding ground for specials and one-offs.

How 'bout Cunninghams?

[Bartruff1]

The original Cobras were definitely not considered kit cars back in the mid 60s.

I don't think there was even a term ( kit car) back then. Today we might consider the Meyers Manx from that era (1964) a kit car. That is a component car that the owner assembled or had assembled.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Here's a damn good example. If you have nothing to add to the discussion, kindly STFU.

It's a rather simple concept.

I'm going to start taking particular folks out instead of just closing threads.

I will straighten up and fly right

[Mark IV]

Most original owners tell the story of having someone walk up to their 289 in 1965 and ask "Is it real????"

[Jamo]

Hell, I was bending over fiddling with my engine at one of the Bash track days several years ago and somebody came up and asked me if they were looking at an original Jamo ass crack or a reproduction.

[mtrain2000]

If they were then it would be from the chebby crowd as they don't like to admit anything from Ford would kick the ass of just about any vette built back then.

In fact the day I drove my Cobra to visit my cousin [older guy in his late 60's] he looked at the car as started to blather.

"If it were only an American made car it would have been the fastest car of its time". That is actually what he said.

Chebby brainwashing runs deep.

[Ralphy]

Bartruff, kit cars were becoming popular in the 50's. Even the late 40's, after WWII.The first kit car company was well before that I believe. Google, ForgottenFiberglass cool stuff.

Originally Posted by Bartruff1

The original Cobras were definitely not considered kit cars back in the mid 60s.

I don't think there was even a term ( kit car) back then. Today we might consider the Meyers Manx from that era (1964) a kit car. That is a component car that the owner assembled or had assembled.

A term I've not seen used is Cottage Industry. Some cars were probably built and sold from homes/cottage built.


Here it is, 1912 Lad's Car. First US sold kit.


Ralphy

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

But in this case, OR, was asking a legitimate question and the usual self appointed Cobra gatekeepers of this forum slam the thread and turn it personal.

Real discussions will turn to sheet if fiction dominates fact because the fiction guys have invested too much $$$ and time into a hobby with the wrong hot rods from the get go.

Have fun, appreciate and respect. It's just a hobby. The Aussie guys in this forum seem to get it.

Carry on.

nyg

Bam! Ding ding ding. We have a winner! This guy is good!

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

yep, some people turn this forum into personal attacks.

Right again.just wait until the worlds largest " non biased" Cobra site picks up steam.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Guess you'd have to go back and figure out if Allards, Facel-Vegas, Jensens, Sunbeam Tigers, Monteverdes, TVRs, and the like were considered "kit-cars." Quick answer - NO, they were not. A European car using an American V8 did not connote anything beyond a manufacturer choosing to source a power plant outside of what the manufacturer could supply internally.

Hmmm, not so fast Ned. Difference is the companies you mention manufactured their chassis and bodies. No?

Shelby did not manufacture any part of the Cobra. He assembled components purchased from others and shipped completed units to Ford dealers. Kit? Debatable.

[Nedsel]

BS. It's not debatable, unless you have a hidden agenda in your back pocket. Oh, I forgot - you do! According to your logic, my '66 AC 289 would not be a kit car, because it was manufactured by the same company that built the chassis and body, while any Shelby Cobra would somehow fail your litmus test. What you forget is that, like Jamo suggested earlier, there were lots of factory "specials" back then. And if a company like Shelby American wanted to buy an existing automobile, such as the AC Ace, and make modifications - including a larger engine - they did so. This usually involved renaming the resulting creation. By your (il-)logic, given the fact that Shelby American did not manufacture the Mustang, I guess you would argue that the Shelby GT-350/ GT 500 is also a kit-car.

[Jamo]

...and with that, ladies and gentlemen, this concludes our programming for the evening.

Drive safely.