Reasons for sellin cobras - Page 2

cobrashoch · #21 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 10:24 PM

I believe you have asked two seperate and distinct questions.
Question # 1 - "quite a few on the market" - There was a time back when that there was no Cobra reproductions, just originals. At first when they were first reproduced a market void was filled and the numbers were still low. Today there is what, some 50 or so companys that make them. Some large companys, some small. Along with the higher production numbers the cost to replicate them has been driven down too. This has in turn opened the market to a larger group of middle income folks and that in turn has driven further sales.
I saw the same thing happen in the rod market to 32/33/34 Fords, when the the steel car supply dried up. Today there is no shortage of rod manufacturing companys.
Now with a Cobra, in most cases I'd bet most of these reproduced cars are still around. Indeed- seeing a Cobra today is not a rare sight anymore. So 1/2 of the answer is they are still making them. And there is already a bunch of them.
Second question - Why are they selling them? I will answer that with a question. Do you still own the first car that you ever bought? Redundant question? I think not, as people sell cars for as many reasons as there are cars and people in the first place. And since most of us don't "collect" cars I suspect that most of us has sold or will sell every car that we have or will ever own.
A better question may be- how long have you owned your Cobra or a cobra actively. Sounds like it might be a good thread on CC.
cobrashock

got snake? · #22 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 10:54 PM

Good to see you on the board...ah...Mr. Spina.

GS-Sid

Bill E · #23 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 11:21 PM

A lot of people will own two cobras, one they practice on building and driving. Then sale it and all it faults. Then do the car they should have done. or have someone do it for them.

Excaliber · #24 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 02:38 AM

Cobrashoch
Maybe there are a "lot" of Cobras in Indiana, but they are FEW and FAR between here in Hawaii. When I talk to others about the last time they saw one,,,,,,they scratch their heads and it goes like this,,,,,

Well, there is yellow one up north I think. I saw a black one in Kahala once (ONCE),,,,heard about a Silver one on Island, etc. etc.

I have "heard" there are about 30 cars in the Islands, if that is the case, WHO is driving them besides me? It's "lonely" on the streets when your the "only" Cobra in town, I LIKE it that way!
Ha ha!!!! I looked for a YEAR before I could find one for sale here!

Ernie

Geary L. Sarno · #25 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 08:23 AM

I think that there is a very basic underlying reason for many of the cobra sales. You have to really want this car to make it a keeper. It is crude, raw horsepower - period. There are no creature comforts - no ammenities. I drive my 427SC most days and I show my car almost every weekend (Driven - No Waxer). When I'm approached by a wannabe Cobra owner I ask if he/she has had any experience with classic(Real) European sports cars. There has to exist a certain mind-set to own a real sports car. The classic Triumph owner's moto is: "If God wanted us all to drive Safe, Warm, Dry, and Comfortable he wouldn't have invented Triumphs". I've owned my GT6 MKIII since 1972 and it was my daily driver/family car for many of those years. Without this type of mind-set - This level of dedication to the very nature of this breed of vehicle -you won't have your Cobra long. Twenty years down the road I plan to be driving my current 427SC and my then 52 year old GT6.

To paraphrase Shakespeare's Henry V: "When I am astride my steed I soar ... He is Wind and Fire. His hooves but touch the earth .. with impatience... while I mount. "

So screw comfort and stuff sound systems.

A toast to the real road warriors - Sport-Minded Forever!

- Aggressor

Bill Wells · #26 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 09:45 AM

NO CUP HOLDERS !!! and, on 95% of them : no spare, no roll up windows, no air bags, no air cond, no radio, no top or no power top, burned leg snake bites, and the list goes on once the initial rush and adrenalin wears off for some. then some wives say: enough is enough, drive it or sell it. for me, i will keep the rough crude loud obnoxiously fast unsafe lethal weapon without creature comforts and just keep the bride in her car of choice that has all the things a Cobra does not have ! although that gets costly at times, more so than the snake ! oh well...i can turn the key and go slithering in the snake and all my problems go away. bill , with a mentally therapuetic SPF....8,000 miles and climbing

Stan Mitchell · #27 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 10:01 AM

Or, in may case, had my SPF for a little over a year, didn't want to part with it, but D-I-V-O-R-C-E forced the sell. Saving my pennies for another SPF....

Stan

ohekk · #28 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 10:10 AM

I've always lusted for but never thought I would ever own a Cobra!

Then the previous owner of my Excalibur Cobra died and I was able to buy it from his widow.

Another unusual sequence of events and I became the proud owner of the LAST...the VERY LAST Excalibur Cobra to leave the factory. So now I have two and will reluctantly have to sell one sooner or later.

Evan Harris · #29 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 10:12 AM

While I love the sound of the rumbling 427 there is just something soooo cool about listening to 60's era Stones or Steppen Wolf while cruisen down the road in a Cobra. Takes you back in time.

Excaliber · #30 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 10:13 AM

Hey Bill.

Heres a possible new thread, or maybe it's been covered. I will do a search.

What kind of cars have you owned? Boy, theres a LONG list!

I also had a GT-6! Wrecked it, pulled the engine and put it in a Spitfire. MGA, MGB, numerous Jaguars. Yeah, I love the the english cars! The Cobra was a natural. On a long trip when the MG's would finally break down, it was a chance to get out and stretch while I fixed it, ha ha!

Ernie

Turk · #31 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 10:17 AM

Evan,
If you can hear the Stones while you are cruising in your Cobra, you have the wrong sides pipes or you have a Killer Stereo in that car of yours.

Alpine, or Panasonic??

TURK

Evan Harris · #32 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 10:48 AM

Turk: Kenwood with amp, volume somewhat cranked up. (all hidden to preserve the correct aesthetics of course). RPMs below 3000 just lofin along. Once the rpm's go over 3000 I can't hear $hit except for the BB.

Dan Semko · #33 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 11:32 AM

Reasons for selling a cobra:
a) replacement with an "alloy"
b) replacement of the 427SC body style to a 289 roadster.
c) evidence that we are eligible to approach the court with a name change request to HARRIS!

Evan do you have ANY contacts that can gain our acceptance into Law School? Turk & Semko Esq.

GUMBALL · #34 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 11:33 AM

I too will be selling my car shortly, but for a different reason than most. We built my car to be authentic, pretty and street able. The car won a show award this past Friday then we had it on the track Saturday and Sunday. When I first dreamed of owning a Cobra, I never even thought about the track. My wife insisted that I take a driving lesson at the track. Well, I was immediately hooked! I have had FAR more fun on the track than at shows, long cruises or any other event. The problem is that I'm just too afraid of cracking it up on the track. It is a very pretty car and I have seen the deterioration that happens to track cars. The car is also way over my driving abilities at this point.

I will be looking for an early model Mustang (with full roll cage) or small block spec racer Cobra in the coming weeks. After a few years of experience, I fully intend to be back in a BB Cobra, but most likely not of the $100k variety.

Regards,

John

Evan Harris · #35 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 12:48 PM

Gumball: Post pics of your car. Would like to see it.

Dan: I don't have connections in high of enough places to get you two in. Sorry.

Jamo · #36 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 12:54 PM

He!!--I'd oppose their entry.

Dan Semko · #37 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 01:57 PM

Jamo,
The ONLY reason that you'd oppose our entry is because we'd REAly work you over! You'd be begging us to join forces and establish a virtually unbeatable firm. We have the experience and church bells to bring the biggest to their knees.....of course we'd probably require higher life insurance coverage and some serious kevlar.

Jamo · #38 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 02:00 PM

Yeah--that's it--you're right--I'm scared.

GUMBALL · #39 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 02:25 PM

Evan,

I have a bunch of pictures in my gallery here. I think the gallery is not working right now. If you or anyone else would like to see pictures just send me an email and I will send a bunch. I should have something up on Cobra Country in about a week.

Regards,

John

wrench · #40 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 02:33 PM

as a question to Jack21, i am considering building one of these auto's, but how much fabrication is needed? (as far as welding, metalwork). I have been a mechanic for 15 years at a dealership level, I like to think i know how all the subsytems work. (although sometimes these new %$#@ cars still confuse me, why do they have to change so much in one year?) the only thing i have not had much need for is the metal working end of the business. How much is needed on the average kit?