Cobra- Is it real ?

[cobraman428]

So tired of stopping at a gas station or going to a car show and being asked,......Is it a real cobra or a kit car ??? What are other cobra owners responses?

[Bill D]

Since they're interested in the car, I tell them it's a replica of an original and explain the details.

[DanEC]

I guess I'm not exactly given to witty come-backs - the couple times it has happened to me I just replied - "No, it's a replica - an ERA".

[Ron61]

I basically tell the same thing that Bill does. Then if they show more interest I will spend time talking to them.

Ron

[1985 CCX]

I start with "Its really here...."
Then I go to hand built replica of 2375. If they ask does it have a 427 I relpy "Nope that would not fit..." Usually either scares them off or they want to learn more...

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by cobraman428

So tired of stopping at a gas station or going to a car show and being asked,......Is it a real cobra or a kit car ??? What are other cobra owners responses?

Depending which I am driving, I generally tell them it is a a replica of a cobra built by "manufacture", and that it is a lot of fun to drive.


Bill S.

[twin turbo]

I don't know why this question bothers anyone, they are just expressing interest in the car. I always smile with whatever reply I make, whether it be "I wish" to "it's a replica." Cheers.

[Tommy]

I, too, don't understand why some are bothered by this question. In my experience, casual observers are more interested in replicas than the real thing from the 60s. Many see replicas as something they have considered actually getting. The originals are seen more like unicorns -- something unattainable that they thought they would never see. ... If any of the people were disappointed by my "It's a replica," I didn't notice it.

[Mr Jody]

I've always felt "reproduction" was a more appropriate and more definitive term, even though I don’t think that term will ever catch on. When I hear "kit car”, I think back to when you would take a Volkswagen Beetle, remove the body, and replace it with an older Mercedes aftermarket body that came with a “kit” built just for that purpose. Our Cobras, even if not “real” or “original” are built from the ground up to be just what they are.

You don't hear the term “kit” or even "replica" used when people build a '60s Mustang or Camaro using essentially all aftermarket body panels, frames, suspensions, interiors, etc. They are all referred to as "reproduction" pieces. Even if they are steel instead of fiberglass, it's a remake of the original. I don't think you will see the terms "replica" or "kit" used on the Dynacorn website where they sell all of these pieces for those vehicles, just "reproduction".

With that being said, as others have said, just take their interest as a compliment and tell them all they want to know about the car. If they try to steer the conversation towards what to call it, just politely bow out of the conversation and tell them you have to be somewhere, and watch how they watch, and listen, with envy as you drive off.

Here’s a thread with way more discussion on this topic…
New name for "Replicas"

[FuzzyDiceRide]

Most car guys ask me if my car is a FFR . and I agree with Mr. Bill too,
good answer . Fakey do as Fakey does

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by cobraman428

So tired of stopping at a gas station or going to a car show and being asked,......Is it a real cobra or a kit car ??? What are other cobra owners responses?

What is it that bothers you about this question and why are you tired of it? I'd think you would be happy to have the attention. It comes with the territory.

If I were you, I'd sell the car.

[Tommy]

I can see it now at the next gas stop.
Stranger: "Is that real?"
Me: "No, it's a reproduction."
Stranger: "Is that the same as a kit car?"
Me: "No, it's more like a replica made by somebody who makes a lot of them."
Stranger: "I thought that was what they call a continuation."
Me: "No, that's a replica, ooops, reproduction made by somebody who paid for the rights to use the Shelby name."
Stranger: "I thought Shelby was dead. Is he still making Cobras?"
Me: "No. He is dead. .... Look I have to be somewhere."
Stranger: "Me too." ...... As he walks away "What a moron."

[fasterpatrick]

I stump them and say "neither" then explain How I build the car from scratch. never fails to leave the uneducated baffled.

Patrick

[FritoBandito]

Though I'm still in the garage almost finished building I get the question from passers by. Since I know what they're really asking I don't play games.

"No, it's a Factory Five kit car."

Mario

[Bernica]

Then, sooner or later they ask "what's it worth?". I just say I have no F__ng idea and don't really care.

[kevins2]

I also just tell them that "No, it's a replica". So far, the most amusing response to that I've received is "Well, it's nice anyway".

[cycleguy55]

If they ask if it's 'real', I can honestly say it is. It is, after all, a real reproduction or real replica. If it was an apparition or a holographic image I'd have to change my answer.

Most of the time the question they ask it whether it's an 'original'. If I wanted to play 'silly bugger' or toy with them I could answer in the affirmative. It is, after all, an original reproduction or replica. Really, if they can't readily distinguish my West Coast Cobra with its exaggerated rear fenders and lower tail from one of the original cars, they're probably up for any kind of discussion - truthful or otherwise.

Most of the time I tell them it's a reproduction and give them a bit of information about the number of original cars (998) and what they're worth - as very, very few of them have a clue (and not just about Cobras...). If it appears they're interested in learning more I'll engage them in a discussion if I have the time (don't want to hold up the line at the gas pumps). One of my favourite topics is about: a) Transport Canada's 30 year old de facto ban on 'kit cars' in Canada; and b) how difficult it is to import and license replicas and reproductions in Saskatchewan. With rare exception they are always completely flabbergasted by the draconian rules and flaming hoops we have to deal with.

Okay, time to get off my soap box.

BTW, my problem with 'kit car' is partially about the connotation Mr. Jody referenced, but also the challenge in applying that term to cars sold as 'rollers' or 'turnkey minus'. It doesn't matter whether that car came from Superformance, Shelby or West Coast Dreams - how can a car that rolled out of a factory or shop in a nearly complete state be accurately called a 'kit car'? That just makes no sense to me.

[Maricopa]

My favorites are the douchebag answers like, 'No, it's not a kit it's a factory built reproduction' or some other meaningless minutiae meant to set yourself apart from the lesser fake Cobra owners. Nobody cares what the ad copy says they just want to know if you're driving your 1.4 million dollar car through the bank drive-thru or not. I don't tell them it's a 'period correct hand-laid vinylester body on a period correct twin 4" tube frame, blah, blah' like it says on Factory Five's video. I just say, "No, it's a kit I built about 10 years ago." and then they say, "Well it's pretty cool." or something like that.

KISS and you get less dumb responses.

[Nedsel]

Look at it from the perspective of the owner of a '60's Cobra: People ask, "Is it real?" And if you answer "Yes" they often nod with the look that says, "Ha ha. That wanker thinks his car is a real Cobra. What a dip****." So there are no winners here.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Look at it from the perspective of the owner of a '60's Cobra: People ask, "Is it real?" And if you answer "Yes" they often nod with the look that says, "Ha ha. That wanker thinks his car is a real Cobra. What a dip****." So there are no winners here.

What's worse, several years ago I was stretching the legs of a csx3xxx series car in PA (not my first, hopefully not my last behind the wheel of one), stopped for gas and had a few Cobra replica owners pull in just as I was finishing and paying. They all walked over and started saying "this was wrong, that was wrong, look at all the stone chips, etc and so forth. 4 out of the 5 thought it was just a poorly kept replica. The 5th knew the car and kept quiet until I was getting ready to get in and go (after looking over a few nice replicas first). When one of the "more knowledgeable" of the bunch asked who's kit it was, I told him Shelbys . He got this look of the deer caught in the headlights, popped the hood, showed him the original tag and feature. He, along with 3 of the others got in their cars and left without another word. Never did see them post about their encounter on any of the cobra forums

Bill S.