Misconceptions

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by mikeinatlanta

denial keeps him from seeing the link.

It's called "hysterical blindness"

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

So Evan does the current incarnation of AC Cars LTD Heritage and their COBRA , is that the same chaff as the current incarnation of Shelby American and their COBRA??? Or are they both the wheat???

Yes it seems that's the current name. The "AC" name and Company has gone through more changes and ownership then I have hair on my head. AC originally also used many subcontractors the form panels such as Radford. How much of the original AC equipment jigs and tooling is currently being used by the current iteration of "AC".? You tell me then we'll both know.

Just curious, are the new ACs real Cobras or just "replica" chaff? Please enlighten me.

Maybe after "Mikeinatlanta" cleans up his key board he can chime is on this little question.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

It's called "hysterical blindness"

Funny, I have none of the symptoms. Your diagnostic ability, however, rivals your envy and is clearly a symptom of it along with your nasty little barbs.

Here you go.....Ouch!

[Dangerous Doug]

Well, getting back to the original discussion about a largely misinformed public (courtesy "blow-hard Cobra owners").

I think Tommy is correct in his original assessment: I think quite a few people recognize that a blow-hard Cobra owner is blowing smoke up their a$$, hard. I've been given the "it's a real Shelby Cobra because Carroll Shelby authorized the SPF" lecture (disclaimer: I have an ERA), but I have also met several SPF owners and have friends with very nice SPF's who don't play the "licensed by Shelby" card.

I can recognize a blow-hard, of any Cobra make, and I smile, nod, and earnestly try to extract myself from their monologues so I can hang out with people I enjoy being around. I think most people except for the very naive can recognize the blow-hard behavior and dismiss it.

It's a pity that there is so much misinformation about these awesome cars.

It's pathetic that the misinformation about Cobras is due to members of our own ranks of Cobra owners, vehemently attempting to publicly rationalize THEIR personal choice in Cobra replica by denigrating others.


DD

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

Not the sharpest knife in the drawer either, that's a hot link to the post.

Thanks for leading me by the hand on that "hot link" thingy...got it! Seems I know as much about computers and "hot links" as you do about legal decisions and holdings vs. dicta.

So how does it feel that "not the sharpest knife in the drawer" has a gorgeous Shelby Cobra he can actually drive and not just a "chassis" sitting on the floor? Sucks for you! BTW this "chassis on the floor" can we see pics? Whose chassis is it? Please tell us all about it.

Cheers!

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

Well, getting back to the original discussion about a largely misinformed public (courtesy "blow-hard Cobra owners").

I think Tommy is correct in his original assessment: I think quite a few people recognize that a blow-hard Cobra owner is blowing smoke up their a$$, hard. I've been given the "it's a real Shelby Cobra because Carroll Shelby authorized the SPF" lecture (disclaimer: I have an ERA), but I have also met several SPF owners and have friends with very nice SPF's who don't play the "licensed by Shelby" card.

I can recognize a blow-hard, of any Cobra make, and I smile, nod, and earnestly try to extract myself from their monologues so I can hang out with people I enjoy being around. I think most people except for the very naive can recognize the blow-hard behavior and dismiss it.

It's a pity that there is so much misinformation about these awesome cars.

It's pathetic that the misinformation about Cobras is due to members of our own ranks of Cobra owners, vehemently attempting to publicly rationalize THEIR personal choice in Cobra replica by denigrating others.


DD

There is a difference between being a "blow-hard" and answering a question factually and truthfully and in a polite way. I've run into owners of original Shelby's that are "blow -hards". Its how you talk to people and treat them. Further, telling someone in conversation that you think your car is the "best" and explaining why its the best is not being a blow hard nor necessarily denigrating others. Stating yours is the best based on your own criteria doesn't equate automatically to mean you are saying the others are bad or not good. I bought an ERA not a Contemporary or a SPF. I thought ERA was a better car based on my personal evaluation and criteria at the time. I thought the Contemporarys were also great cars and SPF's too but I choose the ERA because I thought it was the "best" based on what I was looking for. That doesn't mean I am knocking the others.

Tell me, who here would have bought their car that they have if they didn't think it was the best choice for them when compared to the other options as measured against their own criteria? If anyone reading this doesn't think their car is the "best" based on your own financial limitations and criteria please explain why you bought "second" best or even "third" best other then what you thought was the best within your own financial constraints?

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

... It's pathetic that the misinformation about Cobras is due to members of our own ranks of Cobra owners, vehemently attempting to publicly rationalize THEIR personal choice in Cobra replica by denigrating others ...

Sad but true.

Originally Posted by jhv48

... So if an original cobra is the wheat, you're calling all the rest chaff? ...

Originally Posted by REAL 1

... to me Shelby Cobras whether original or continuation are wheat. The rest is chaff ...

Originally Posted by jhv48

... Separating wheat from chaff is to separate the part of the wheat that is valuable from that that is worthless. If that is what you meant, then you're calling all the replicas (other than yours of course) worthless? ...

Originally Posted by REAL 1

... To me Shelby Cobras Continuation or original are the wheat. The rest is the Chaff as far as not being genuine Cobras.

... I already own a Shelby Cobra. Its those that own a fake of a Shelby Cobra here that appear irked to me because I am saying like I see it ...

[DanEC]

Ignorant blow hards are pervasive throughout the car hobby. On the Corvette Forum C1-C2 we are often hearing stories of people walking up to owners telling them they owned an original 427 split window, or one of the rare Sting Rays with a steel body, or a 1963 with factory delivered side pipes and knock offs. It's best to not get to torqued up over them and let them go on their way making a fool of themselves. They don't need any help doing so.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

Sad but true.

Yes I agree..when it's "misimformation".

Not when it's legally and factually true.

This thread is about "what is better" which has infinite meaning depending on what is important to the owner. To put the wheat/chaff analogy in context (after it was removed from context) was directed at what is important to me and likely every other Shelby owner, i.e. owning a real Shelby Cobra. There isn't another brand that will fill those requirements therefore worthless on that requirement. Doesn't mean the rest are "worthless".




Hey Joe, post up some pics of that chassis! Come on! Shine it up for us first. We're all still waiting. Maybe you can sit in it and have someone take a pic so we can get the idea of what it will sorta look like one day.

[Blue66]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Ignorant blow hards are pervasive throughout the car hobby. On the Corvette Forum C1-C2 we are often hearing stories of people walking up to owners telling them they owned an original 427 split window, or one of the rare Sting Rays with a steel body, or a 1963 with factory delivered side pipes and knock offs. It's best to not get to torqued up over them and let them go on their way making a fool of themselves. They don't need any help doing so.

Yup.. Have watched this since early/mid 70s in the Corvette and Shelby clubs ! It was the basic reason why my 66 Shelby disappeared for 40 years.

[Joe's Garage]

Maybe there is a lesson in that, share what you have (pics & info) privately through PMs and email, then the critics have nothing to work with. Don't get me wrong, I think most CC members are good peeps, it's the select few not in it for the hobby that are the problem, already have one blow hard chompin' at the bit to see my chaff chassis

[keezling]

In my simple world powered by my simple mind the question "who's is better" will always be answered by putting 'em side by side on the road and whoever gets to the (pick a landmark) first has the better car. Simple!

[Dangerous Doug]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

This thread is about "what is better"...

I thought this thread was about people presenting opinions as factually true when they are indeed not true, thereby misrepresenting information about Cobras with the subsequent effect of a misinformed general public.

DD

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by 4pipes

Evan, does your wheat have any Kirkham DNA?

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Kirkam's are not included in my definition of chaff.

Is that because you are driving one with a CSX number plate attached to it

[Bernica]

This thread just keeps grinding on!

I for one am grateful for what I have and never try to misrepresent it. It is what it is and doesn't try to be anything else...a CSX4000 glass car.
But I have heard my share of misconceptions. I always just listen and be polite.

I have been told the following at a few events:

That's really an AC. (no, it's not)
That's a Mustang with a Kit body (no, it's not)
The real originals were made of steel before aluminum (no, they weren't)
It's not a slab-side, so it's a kit car (no, not true)
You don't have leaf springs, so it's not real (well...)
The 427's were a big failure and took Shelby down (ok, you go with that)
They didn't have disc brakes back then (well, yes they did)
If it was real, it would have a gas cap in the center (OK, thanks)
If it was real, it would be in light blue or red (OK, thanks)

The list goes on and it's usually someone trying to show his wife or girlfriend how much they know about cars, so I just let them run.

The comments I get from folks like Gary Patterson (SAI) or Lance Stander (SPF) carry much more weight to me.

[Tim7139]

When in doubt, the good old free market tells you everything you need to know. There were a few real Cobras made in the 60's worth serious money and then there are countless versions of "not". I don't care if it' made from glass, carbon, alloy or tarpaper or whose bull**** rationalization of " after the fact, it's in the book" yada yada yada. You have a " not". If it was otherwise it would be valued much closer the original cars, call it a not plus or double plus.
There are nots, not minus', not plus' . And they will always be something other than what we may secretly wish them to be.
I have what I have, because, more than anything else, it captures the embodyment of what these cars were, now operationally better, all at a fair price, with a small dose of principle preservation( maybe) and they're kind of fun.
You want 4 wheel penis envy, buy a ferrari becauce unless you got a real bragging rights 1965 million dollar example, we're all, ALL, me included, in the somewhat shallow end of the pool here folks.

[jhv48]

I break owners down into these three categories:

1. The "Haves". They own original 60's era cobras. Nuff said!

2. The "Wannabes". They couldn't afford an original so they bought some kind of replica and try to pass it off as something it isn't and never will be. You are in this category if you are continually trying to convince others that yours is better than theirs for whatever reason.

3. The "Rest of Us". Who could give a rats ass who built your car or when it was made. We appreciate them all. But we REALLY appreciate an original.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

I thought this thread was about people presenting opinions as factually true when they are indeed not true, thereby misrepresenting information about Cobras with the subsequent effect of a misinformed general public.

DD

Wrong. Go back and read the OP.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Bernica

This thread just keeps grinding on!

Don't worry, this one will soon die out and another one will rise like the Phoenix bird from the ashes to take its place.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Is that because you are driving one with a CSX number plate attached to it

Correcto...and the Originals are ACs with a Shelby plate attached to it.