And, so...what do YOU drive?

[keezling]

Had a street corner cardboard sign beggar ask "is it real" and droop his head like he's disappointed when I said no. Needless to say it didn't sit well with me. I said "sorry to let you down" and the expression on his face of suddenly realizing his social standing was priceless... to his credit he "got it" pretty quickly.

[Winchester67]

I have driven classic iron for years, but only recently got a Backdraft Cobra. Same response I have given for years when asked what it cost: "I have no idea...I married well. And highly recommend it."

[750hp]

Originally Posted by keezling

Had a street corner cardboard sign beggar ask "is it real" and droop his head like he's disappointed when I said no. Needless to say it didn't sit well with me. I said "sorry to let you down" and the expression on his face of suddenly realizing his social standing was priceless... to his credit he "got it" pretty quickly.

Priceless - really?????
If reminding someone of their struggles while you're in your Cobra is priceless to you, well I'm sorry but that doesn't sit well with me.

We're pretty lucky to be able to drive these cars. Wouldn't it be nice if we could be humble and friendly to anyone who took the time to ask a question about your car?

[DanEC]

I guess with a typical ERA running around $80 to 90k complete - you could say "It's not real but it cost about 16 times more than the real ones did back then."

[patrickt]

I've noticed that over the last decade less and less people recognize what it is (or what it is a replica of). The older guys are slowly dying off, or becoming house-bound, and most of the younger ones have no idea what it is, just that it looks really cool. By the time my son takes over the keys, I doubt he'll ever hear "is that a kit?" More likely he'll just hear "wow, what is that?"

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I've noticed that over the last decade less and less people recognize what it is (or what it is a replica of). The older guys are slowly dying off, or becoming house-bound, and most of the younger ones have no idea what it is, just that it looks really cool. By the time my son takes over the keys, I doubt he'll ever hear "is that a kit?" More likely he'll just hear "wow, what is that?"

That is when he will explain, IT IS A KIT CAR, of a cobra...

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Dimis

You do realise that "they" dismiss it as such to feel better about themselves..
& that by you viewing it as a negative, it becomes a negative, and they "win"...... .....

Bingo! Exactly how I've dealt with it on this site for over 15 years. Good advice.

[olddog]

Your falling into the political correctness speak trap. When I was a kid, it was "sticks and stone may break your bones, but words will never harm you." Today we have changed our language, and people's feelings are still getting hurt. In fact, hurt feelings are an epidemic.

Let's be perfectly honest. A Cobra is a psychological extension of your penis that you can show off to everyone, and you are complaining because 1% of the people do not praise it appropriately???

Get over it, and enjoy life. Riding in a Cobra is a true joy. Stop allowing and looking for minutia to annoy you.

[mdross1]

Believe it or not after a while you will get to a point after hearing it so much it will not matter. We love our car enough and know exactly what it is and considering always that most people do not have a clue. Most express themselves because of what they have heard others say. Go with the Flow!

[keezling]

The beggar is a young able bodied man. Local farmers and business owners all say the same thing. They can't find anyone under 30 who will show up for work, or not be stoned if they do. They think working is for chumps. No pity from me. A woman here got tired of her potted plants getting stolen, put up a camera. They stole that!

[BAsque1]

I immediately answer "nope is a REPLICA" , I also have a nice poster with all the pertinent info about the car in anticipation to the questions that might sound either irritating or just dumb.
Lou

[Turbonut48]

I just tell them, when asked what its worth, I have it insured for $50k. That usually satisfys them.

The Nut

[slithering]

I talked with a gentleman at SAAC 35 in Sonoma, CA, on the aspect of how "original owners" felt about those of us that build replica cars. I found it amusing, his choice of description was "a tribute car".

[fordracing65]

Some guys on here have really little peckers so they get offended when someone questions their manhood or car... I can think of one on here where im sure he cries about both even though he drives a REAL1...

[wkooiman]

The comments generally don't bother me, except for the "How much did it cost?" comments. I was taught that those types of personal questions are rude.

The comments about the car get old, but they certainly don't upset me.

I drive the car for me, not for people to see me. That is evidenced by my habit of driving my car weekly, but only washing it every 6 months, whether it needs it or not.

[Dangerous Doug]

In my mind the term "kit" undervalues the effort and craftsmanship that goes into building or even just owning one of these cars. Building one isn't as simple as merely following simple directions. I usually refer to mine as a "replica".

fordracing65: Really? You're turning this into a penis size discussion? Let's try to stay on topic.

DD

[Dangerous Doug]

I drive my Cobra for me as well. I am just a tad shocked and disappointed at how rude the 1% can be.

DD

[JWilly]

Originally Posted by olddog

Your falling into the political correctness speak trap. When I was a kid, it was "sticks and stone may break your bones, but words will never harm you." Today we have changed our language, and people's feelings are still getting hurt. In fact, hurt feelings are an epidemic.

Let's be perfectly honest. A Cobra is a psychological extension of your penis that you can show off to everyone, and you are complaining because 1% of the people do not praise it appropriately???

Get over it, and enjoy life. Riding in a Cobra is a true joy. Stop allowing and looking for minutia to annoy you.

Does this mean I can tell people my pecker has a 90 inch wheelbase?

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

From the ERA website, 289 section -

THE KIT YOU CAN BUILD, EASILY!
KIT PRICE: $19,900

Building any kit replica involves a considerable commitment of money and time. Our personal goal is to protect your investment, as well as our reputation. The result: our standard assembly has almost every part either hinged, latched, or fit before it leaves the E.R.A. factory. The pictures at the right and below show how you really get your standard kit. We don't sell a stripped down kit.

This relatively short excerpt from ERA's website uses the word "kit" 5 times. I have an ERA, so it must be a kit...

I'm not offended by the word at all. My favorite so far is someone asked me if it's real. I responded, as I always do, "No, it's a kit" (or replica, I use the two words interchangeably). His response was "Well, it's nice anyway"

[sunman]

Mark Twain said it best "Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story". Ya its real!!! And I got a ten or twenty for every bum I meet. Life's a b***h sometimes. Wyatt