Why does every thread here devolve into a "Real" vs. "Replica" argument?

[LMH]

Really? You won that Mustang tag?
Larry

[twobjshelbys]

Never mind. It's useless to argue against stupidity and ignorance

I thought this meeting was adjourned

[Paul F]

A search of the trademarks shows no one has a trademark for the word Cobra for cars. There are 1004 trademarks listed for 'Cobra' or some variant of Cobra.

Strangely enough, the logo we all know as the Cobra logo was once owned by a security company, not Shelby - this one:http://www.finishlineaccessories.com/c-42-decals.aspx

Here is a short example of some of the dead trademarks. There are many more dead Cobra trademarks.

Serial Number Reg. Number Word Mark Check Status Live/Dead
1 85860991 SHELBY COBRA DAYTONA COUPE TSDR DEAD
2 85860933 SHELBY COBRA DAYTONA COUPE TSDR DEAD
3 78975170 SHELBY KING COBRA TSDR DEAD
4 78190374 SHELBY KING COBRA TSDR DEAD
5 74617561 CARROLL SHELBY'S COBRA OIL TSDR DEAD
6 74373789 SHELBY COBRA TSDR DEAD
7 74094588 SHELBY KING COBRA TSDR DEAD

[fordracing65]

Yippee, I have a Cobra...

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

First, my add back in 2004 as "originally' written was a mistake as back then I myself was not sure how to classify my Shelby.

Evan Thank you for reasoning the admission of error.
There's NO shame in making that error, UNLESS you did it purposefully. I for one don't believe you did.

But YOU ARE a clever, well educated man, a lawyer no-less - How then would you envisage John Average to receive it, or cope with it, reason it??
Pause and think about THAT please

That's part of the problem... if one is explaining it to John Average, 99% of the world, then the continuation series can ONLY be a REAL SHELBY COBRA if its qualified, and Its debatable whether John Average would understand "Continuation series". Yes, its ignorance on their part... but even you yourself admitted to having trouble defining it earlier on. So give them a break, and qualify it in laymens

Else its just misleading them with a half truth, IMHO.

My feeling is SOME CSX guys call it "REAL" in their circles of friends, who are other car guys or COBRA guys, and they get it, knowing that it AINT a REAL 1960s Shelby, but a real 2004 Shelby!

The OTHER CSX guys, call it REAL to baffle the novice with their BS... Cos having people take photos and an interest in their car fulfils them Those guys have issues... I pity them, because they really are insecure with what they DO have. What a shame

At the same time SOME non-Continuation Cobra Kit owners pigeon hole CSX owners into one of the two types of owners above. Sometimes unjustly, sometimes deservedly so.

Originally Posted by REAL 1

The MSO clearly identifies the vehicle as a Shelby Cobra 427.

Qualifier required? 2004 Shelby Cobra 427
Else John Average may get the false impression he's looking at a REAL 1965 COBRA. Agreed?

Originally Posted by REAL 1

They don't pretend to be original series cars, no one is passing them off as original series cars.

Well?? Maybe??

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Refer to my car as a "replica" don't expect much respect in return from me. Refer to my car as a Shelby Cobra I'll return the respect and refer to your car as we commonly refer to them as a "Cobra". We'll get along just fine.

Why do you feel Replica and KIT are dirty words?
My car (irrelevant what it actually is) is both a kit sorts and a replica... and I would feel this IF I owned a Continuation Series Shelby Cobra. So What?
Owning something, or NOT owning something, doesn't warrant respect.
Ones actions DO imho.


Kindest regards

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Never mind. It's useless to argue against stupidity and ignorance

I thought this meeting was adjourned

Not cool. I don't care if you call me ignorant and stupid, but if you do, don't edit out why you called me ignorant and stupid after you find out who really may have those attributes.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Evan Thank you for reasoning the admission of error.
There's NO shame in making that error, UNLESS you did it purposefully. I for one don't believe you did.

But YOU ARE a clever, well educated man, a lawyer no-less - How then would you envisage John Average to receive it, or cope with it, reason it??
Pause and think about THAT please

When I say "reason it" I'm referring to the phrases used to describe the continuation series kits. Ie: Real shelby cobra or genuine cobra, or authentic cobra etc. NOT referring to reasoning your self admitted mistake.

Sorry just thought I should qualify.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Here's a new one: I wonder how many people here are aware that back when Shelby was buying Kirkhams to make them into Shelby Cobras, he had the chutzpah to sue the Kirkhams for copyright infringement. Now there's a good story: "Hey, I'd like to buy some of them Cobras you're making, cause they are better than anything I can currently get elsewhere." "OK." Hey, wait - those really look just like a Cobra! You bastards!"

Originally Posted by Jamo

Oh hell yes...I remember that well. More than a few long calls with Provo and counsel for the Smiths and the folks in SA, who were also being sued...and Bob Marsh trying to mend wounds as the Old Man continued to open them up.

Did this really happen?
Or are you guys pi55ing in our pockets?

[Jaydee]

But on a more serious note; Yes, the 10 hours went by. I thought, I wrote, I didn't throw it in the garbage can. But during those 10 hours, listening to the Jeopardy think music, I transitioned to the ethereal plane. I became one with the universe... Oh, and I won that raffle for that VIN tag Cobra_Diver was raffling off. So now I own a real Cobra. Unlike the rest of you cretins. You lowly replica owners. You know who you are. I'm better than all a ya's. So there. And it only cost me $500 bucks!

Can you get me half a pound on what your on.

[Nedsel]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Did this really happen?
Or are you guys pi55ing in our pockets?

Yes, it did happen. Truth. Belongs in the "Believe it or Not" files.

[Paul F]

"Can you get me half a pound on what your on."


Let that be a lesson to you. That's what happens when a well-adjusted guy from the Midwest moves to the West Coast. Most people think it is the sex, drugs, rock and roll. But its the weather.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Never mind. It's useless to argue against stupidity and ignorance

I thought this meeting was adjourned

Keep up the personal comments and it will be for you.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Paul F

"Can you get me half a pound on what your on."


Let that be a lesson to you. That's what happens when a well-adjusted guy from the Midwest moves to the West Coast. Most people think it is the sex, drugs, rock and roll. But its the weather.

Hahaha... I tell you this guy cracks me up...

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Yes, it did happen. Truth. Belongs in the "Believe it or Not" files.

Wow. I didn't have anything shelby on my cobra, bc quite frankly it's not a shelby. But if I did, I'm pretty sure I'd think twice about keeping them. Was the guy that big a flog...?

[Jaydee]

This is getting to be like a religious argument. One believes in something, the other believes in another. I believe I'll have another drink.
JD

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Paul F

Anyone can use 'Cobra'. It is not trademarked for this type of product. It is trademarked for many things, but not a car. Shelby used to have it trademarked, but let it go. So everyone has a Cobra if they feel the need to use that term.

But on a more serious note; Yes, the 10 hours went by. I thought, I wrote, I didn't throw it in the garbage can. But during those 10 hours, listening to the Jeopardy think music, I transitioned to the ethereal plane. I became one with the universe... Oh, and I won that raffle for that VIN tag Cobra_Diver was raffling off. So now I own a real Cobra. Unlike the rest of you cretins. You lowly replica owners. You know who you are. I'm better than all a ya's. So there. And it only cost me $500 bucks!

First paragraph is incorrect.

The second paragraph begs the "real" question as Al noted earlier. Continuation owners have a multitude of factual and legal basis to call there cars a Cobra. Other than Shelbys, ACs and Kirkhams ...those who own any other car what's your basis other than that "ethereal" plane Paul F is floating on and his raffle winnings to call your car a Cobra no less put plates on them ranging from improper antique plates to vanity plates telling others it's a "Cobra".?

Now you can start the Jeopardy music.

Other than an "ethereal" plane I certainly don't see any except for "respect" but that is a two way street.

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by CompClassics

Sorry but this whole discussion seems to be based on who can call their vehicle a "Cobra" or not. It's pretty simple, those that payed for the privilege wether it be one of the original 998 or a later Continuation Series manufactured by Shelby American Inc. both have paid the price to have the right to call their vehicles "Cobras".

At one time that was true, but Trademark protection needs to be renewed every 10 years. Looks like the "Cobra" Trademark was allowed to lapse, that right and privilege you paid for to legally say "Cobra" evaporated with the Trademark expiration. Looks like 'The Old Man' stuck it to you by not setting up a cyclical renewal process for the Cobra Trademark after his death.

Prior to your edit, you stated that enthusiasts with Replicas 'sign-in' to car events and shows with; Cobra, 427 Cobra, Shelby Cobra etc. which is dishonest. Agreed, if everybody was to be honest the sign-in roster would have; SPF Cobra Replica, ERA Cobra Replica, Kirkham Cobra Replica etc. For the Shelby CSX4000/6000 cars you would see Shelby Cobra + some discriminator (like what's on the MSO "Component Vehicle") so as to separate themselves from the Originals. Only Originals can sign-in with Shelby 289/427 Cobra or something similar (no additional qualifier required).

... if you are going to be honest about your "Cobra".

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

...those who own any other car what's your basis other than that "ethereal" plane Paul F is floating on and his raffle winnings to call your car a Cobra no less put plates on them ranging from improper antique plates to vanity plates telling others it's a "Cobra".?

Since you asked, I call my car a "Cobra" for the same reason I call a Coca-Cola "Coke". It's just easier to say "Honey, I'm going out in the Cobra" than "Honey, I'm going out in the Cobra replica".

My "vanity" plate is ERA 795, so no deception there. I did avoid the Shelby America license plate frame because my car isn't made by Shelby America. I do, however, have Cobra emblems on the car and consider that part of the replica look just like the rollbar and wooden steering wheel.

I also have no problem with the different words people use to ask about the car. If someone asks if it's a kit, the answer's "yes". If someone asks if it's a replica, the answer's "yes". If someone asks if it's real, the answer is "If by real, you mean an original Cobra from the '60's, no, it's a replica of those cars".

I think the continuation cars deserve a lot of respect, but owners should stop short of leading people to believe it is a Cobra from the '60's.

Kevin

[jhv48]

Wow! It only took 1238 posts to get to the truth!

When I'm asked "the question", I always answer "NO, if it was it would be parked in my living room." That usually sparks a conversation that can go in many ways, but I never lead the inquisitor to believe my car is "an original".

Now, many will say, "but you have the badges on the hood and trunk so you're misrepresenting your car". To me, that's part of the "replica" equation. They all "look" like the originals. That's why they're called replicas. And I do admit to fudging once or twice when a guy pulls up next to me at a light and asks what year my car is. At those times, it's easier to just say "it's a replica of a 1965". No time and too much noise to explain its a 2009 SPF. Mea culpa!

[Joe's Garage]

Evan, please cite 4 examples of this "Continuation owners have a multitude of factual and legal basis to call there cars a Cobra".

Please provide links to these sources. They need to show that they are currently in effect, and stipulate that the word "Cobra" can only be used in conjunction with SAI Component Vehicles. They must further show that other Replica manufacturers are prohibited from using the word "Cobra".

You get back to us real soon on that