Does anyone else collect die cast Cobras?

ac andy · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 03:18 AM

Am I the only crazed guy that spends countless hours scouring toy shops, hobby shops and swap meets in the never ending search for a die cast or plastic cobra model that i dont already have. I currently have almost 100 cobra models of all different scales, sizes and colours and would like to know if anyone else collects as well? (if i sold my collection, i would probably have my real car finished by now!).

Hotfingrs · #2 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 04:04 AM

Only have about 20 Cobras but I have 600+ promotional models. Over half of these are on display. Current value of collection in excess of $25,000

cobrajeff · #3 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 06:41 AM

Yep, I am a model car fanatic, too. I have over a hundred Cobras in various scales, but mostly in 1/43rd. I started at one time to collect one of every color from every maunfacturer in 1/18th scale - but they were just "taking over" the place. So I started selling off my 1/18th scale Cobras, and began concentrating on the more expensive lines of 1/43 rd (Marsh, Superior, HiTech, Newcon, Provence-Moulage, etc.).

I have boxes of Cobra models and kits in 1/43rd, that "someday" I plan to build a nice diorama of what my shop would look like if I could win the lotto AND go back in time (I'm hoping that now that I have recently retired, I'll get a chance to work on that diorama).

Here is one of my most treasured 1/43rd models, that was professionally built from a "Superior" Cobra kit (the unbuilt kit sells for around $300). The hood, doors, and trunk open and close, and the engine is wired. There is even plumbing from the twin SW 240's in the trunk! I have only seen two other models like this one, and they were selling for $2500 each!

Yep, it's a sickness, but, what happiness it brings!

Season's Greetings to all!

Jeff

PDHse · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 08:53 AM

I collect cobra models too. Currently have 81 models of all sizes.
Here is some examples of what i got.
Marsh Models "fliptop" 1/43 scale
Marsh Models Dragonsnake 1/43 scale
John Day 427 white metal 1/43
K&R replicars king cobra white metal 1/43
Various 1/24 plastic kits
Monogram king cobra plastic kit 1/32
Exoto cobra daytona no5 won in a model mag comp
Slot cars include scalextric cobra kit
Revell lang cooper with brass scratch built chassis
Autohobbies body lang cooper painted in essex wire style with scratch built chassis.
lancer 1967 king cobra as raced by Jerry Titus on scratch built chassis made from old aluminium steering wheel
Plus many more.
It is a great hobbie and i enjoy looking at them, i am purely amateur in model building and only collect mid price models.
Hope to put some photos of them in the near future.

Michael C Henry · #5 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 09:11 AM

I try to stay with 1/18 scale.I have about 20Cobra and Daytona coupes.Whole collection is over 150 mostly sports cars.
I'm sorry I didn't get a limited edition polished Cobra 3 years ago when it was available.

fordracer · #6 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 09:26 AM

I only have 22 !!!! I need to start looking again

ROSS WEAVER · #7 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 01:43 PM

Yes it a sickness all right, a good one. Most of my near 100 car collection are 1:18 scale with around 20 1:43 cars and 10 1:32 slot cars. I have alot of Cobras, Shelby Mustangs, Gt 40's, Ferrari's (did I just say the F word?), concept cars, plus other diarama type items. As of lately I've been hooked on the cars from Exoto. A bit pricey, but worth it. The detail on these cars is fantastic. Most of my collection is still stashed away in boxes. One of these days I'm going to get some display cases. Sickness, you bet.

Ross

Ed Csoltko · #8 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 02:05 PM

Okay, so who's got the Limited Edition Franklin Mint 1:12 scale Pewter 427 Shelby Cobra? It weighs 8 lbs, cost $1000.00. My neighbor has one, and it's awesome. Only 1,000 made.

Jamo · #9 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 03:23 PM

I collect 1/18s and 1/43s (preferred) of all kinds of cars--including Cobras. A polished aluminum Daytona and several Cobras in the bigger scale, and several Cobras, Daytonas and Ford GTs in the smaller scale. Ferraris are the most numerous if I took a head count though...

A Snake · #10 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 04:02 PM

I'm not a serious collector at all, but I have a couple of die cast Cobra models. One is a Vanguard Gold limited edition 1:43 427 S/C and the other is an ERTLE of all things. The Vanguard is in a class by itself, but surprisingly, the Ertle is well detailed. Even won a trophy with it at a little car show.

I would like to know if any others have the Vanguard (made in England) and about what they are worth today. I think I paid about $40 for it in 1998 at Autofest in Evansville, IN.

Al

TerrysSPF · #11 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 05:34 PM

Ed - Saw one of those Pewter Franklin Mints on eBay going for 700 bucks. Great looking car! I have a few Cobra models that I've put together myself over the years (while dreaming of owning a real one). This past Christmas I got some great Cobra's as gifts! A black Revell die-cast that my sister got me off of Cobra Country, a couple small Johnny Lightning Cobra's (size of Hot Wheels), and my better half bought me a Ltd. Edition Franklin Mint (1500 made) Solid Black Cobra 427 S/C that she found brand new still in the box! The detail in this die cast model is awsome. Plus, on the way home from my sisters over the holidays (Ohio to Illinois) I stopped in a Rest Area along the toll road and noticed they had a bunch of "toy cars" in their shopping area. Nice cars, different sizes, most of them with metal bodies and nice detail. While looking I found 1 Cobra in the mix of all the other cars (scale 1/34). Metal body; doors and hood open up; neat engine bay; rubber tires (with plastic rims with K/O's); all the proper badges; plastic / chrome lookalike rims, roll bar, window frame, Bumperettes, sidepipes, gas cap, etc...... neat little car. The one I found is Black w/ white stripes although the person working there said they come in different colors also. I turned the car over to see the price (figured around 20 to 30 bucks) and it was marked 5.99!!!! I asked the clerk to see if they had anymore in the back room! She said they didn't so then I had to stop at EVERY rest area in Indiana the rest of the way home! Couldn't find another one the entire trip (places had the cars, but no Cobra's in stock). If any of you live near a toll road you may want to check out the little shops they have and see if you can find one. Neat, well made little car.......especially for 6 bucks! I still think they were miss marked!

ac andy · #12 (**permalink**) 12-28-2002, 09:23 PM

Its great to see so many guys enjoying the smaller varieties of cobra as well as their full sized toys. They are such a talking point and i am sure that my non cobra friends think i am a little strange.

Wes Tausend · #13 (**permalink**) 12-31-2002, 04:46 PM

I've collected mostly 1/24 scale diecast sportscars most of which are/were $5.99 at K-B toys, the better examples made by Burago of Italy. My buddy made me an excellant 48"x48"x15" display case out of oak, mirrors and glass modeled after the cases found in the gun section of sporting goods stores. He sold it at near his material cost of $400. I think he paid too much for the glass but still a good deal for me. Now the case cost more than the cars. I'd like to find a low $, 1/24 XKE but no such luck yet. Walmart sells cast revell kits that are burago but they cost more than K-B. I think they'll all go cheap at an estate garage sale someday so I hate to invest much. Great fun in spite of the low buck approach tho.

Ozgur_Tan · #14 (**permalink**) 01-02-2003, 06:49 AM

Yep

I have got approx. 40 scale cobra (inc 1/10 RC kyosho cobra 427)

Ozgur

the link

Ernesto Freitas · #15 (**permalink**) 01-02-2003, 09:40 AM

Even in Portugal Cobra is not a well-known car; I could get 23 cars into my collection.
15 models 1/43, 2 models 1/24, 4 models 1/18, 1 1/5 (scratch built body) R/C and 1 ¾ scale for my kid (working model) (see www.mundo.iol.pt/ernestofreitas/motores)

Ernesto Freitas

randall · #16 (**permalink**) 01-02-2003, 11:10 AM

Hey,

Anyone have an 18th scale red/white stripes that they might be willin' to part with. Be nice to have a liitle one at the office to match the big one in the garage.

Randall

REAL 1 · #17 (**permalink**) 01-02-2003, 12:01 PM

I collect them also. Not as crazy as you guys but I have about 1/2 dozen or so from 1/43 to 1/18. The most expensive is the Franklin Mint model. Very well detailed and in raw aluminum. Only wish it was a little bigger.

Bridgett · #18 (**permalink**) 01-02-2003, 12:43 PM

Does anyone sell a 1/10th or 1/12 Cobra 427 model?
Not an RC car.

Ozgur_Tan · #19 (**permalink**) 01-02-2003, 11:15 PM

Hi

Here two large scale static cobra scale model

Ozgur TAN

old release
franklin mint 1/12 scale cobra

new release
exoto 1/10 cobra 427

Hotfingrs · #20 (**permalink**) 01-03-2003, 02:41 AM

Randall You can find red and white on Ebay..all the time just punch in cobra 1/18 and you find just about any color you want