Why the fuss on "original" Cobras?

[Carroll DeWeese]

Can some of you with more experience than me explain why such a fuss made on having an “original” Cobra?

When ever I have seen a Cobra each is unique and original. One of their attractions is that they are custom cars with classic appeal. They come with all kinds of engines, transmissions, suspensions, tires, brakes, shocks, roll bars, etc. Each is a unique piece of art. No two are exactly alike. Virtually all are showstoppers and turn heads. They all exude raw sensual power and sex appeal. They appeal to young and old, male and female.

You can put any reasonably built “replica” side by side to cars costing ten times as much and the Cobra will still get attention.

The people who worship at the altar of “original” have lost sight of what a Cobra is all about. The original “Cobras” represented a revolution. They had the biggest engines available in light body that could be driven on a street and raced on a track. If Shelby had access to modern engines, tires, suspensions, etc. he probably would have taken advantage of all of them. He would have had a 750 hp plus version. He would have had an improved internal frame. He would have had many of the goodies seen on the so-called replicas.

It is interesting to me that even the earliest Cobras were in constant change. I have read reports that Shelby painted the same car different colors on many occasions to give the impression that more Cobras existed than actually existed. Modifications were constantly made on engines. Is the “original” the first edition of the car or the version after tinkering for racing, etc.?

The effort to have an “original” is an effort to find the Holy Grail. It does not exist. Certainly some of the early Cobras are around and people debate the Cobra that is most “original.” The fact is that each is what it is. They are early representations of a classic. These cars are artifacts and totems of the raw, radical spirit of the Cobra. These early versions are worth having and appreciating, but they are frozen in time. Their spirit moves on.

Cobras are meant to drive. Many of the so-called originals are seldom driven and are kept in climate-controlled conditions. They cost too much to put at risk. Perhaps their appeal is “I have enough money to afford one and to maintain it.” Often this is accompanied by an attitude of arrogance and looking down at the so-called replicas. We have seen recently terms such as “Tupperware” and “Plastic” being used for these so-called replicas.

Many of these so-called replicas are more in keeping with the spirit of the originals than the originals themselves. Some have been modified to make them more drivable on the street. Some have been modified to make them safer to race and faster. Many of the modern versions can outperform the originals on both the street and the track. Many have features that Shelby could not even envision back in the mid-60s. Virtually all of them are radical, raw, and classic compared to modern cars. They are a modern artist statement and embodiment of a classic ideal.

Shelby used aluminum. That is what he had. It is strong and lightweight but not a perfect material. Dents and bangs are hard to repair. Rivets come loose. Fiberglass is easier to repair and cheaper. Carbon fiber is strong and light weight. Each has their place. None is better than the other, except within the context of their use.

The people who pay the very high prices for an “original” depend upon all the “replicas” that they sometimes put down. All these other vehicles comprise are the base of the pyramid that supports their high prices. Their cars are desirable in large part because the dream lives on and is affordable to thousands.

I am actually offended by the use of the term “replica” as a putdown. I am building a car that for me is better than the original. As I change, the car will change. It will have all the cosmetic appeal of the original. It will also have some features not on any original. This does not make it any less of a car. For me, it makes it more of a car.

I do not understand the implied haughtiness, arrogance, and high-mindedness associated with so-called “original” Cobras. What is the fetish all about? Why do so many of the so-called “replica” owners seem to have at least a small sense of inferiority and sense of apology for not having an “original”?

We all have original expressions of a classic ideal. I do not understand why someone wants to be stuck in time and frozen out of his or her own individuality. Can someone please explain?

[Jeff Frigo]

The same reason SPF owners have to attach the production number to their car when they say what replica they own.

[Hal Copple]

Er, Jeff, you miss the point on the SPF number thing. Us drivers of these cars generally acknowledge the thus far three "series" of SPF's, as to the factory modifications and changes. So when of of us mentions our "number" it is a shorthand way of stating what vintage our car is. Nothing more. Makes more sense than saying " a late '99 car" or something like that.

No need to read snobbery, any more than when an ERA driver says he has 554 or whatever. Just stating the vintage of his/her car.

When you were in grade school, did you raise your hand and challange virtually everything your teacher said to the class? How many times did you get sent to the Vice Principal's office Jeff??

By the way, if you look in the just out Car Craft magazine, you can see a picture there of my SPF. #672 to be precise.

Meaning built late '00.

All the best,

[Jeff Frigo]

Hal:

You are right, I still don't get it, but thanks for the explination. Maybe you can also explain to me how my previous statement has anything to do with a challange.


ERA owner without a number.

[casaleenie]

aaaannnnnd we're off!!!!!!

[Excaliber]

Makes perfect sense to me,,,both Hal and Carrol. Man I sure admire the originals, would I LOVE to drive one of those babys! OH,,,and those SPF's are SO cool. A JBL on the track,,,,WOW! My friends red FFR, a great car!

Heck, I guess I like them all.

Ernie

[NROTOXIN]

No jeff, That just shows we are good with numbers........and you?

curtis

[jhaynie]

I don't even know if my Unique has a number

[snakeeyes]

It just depends on one's own reasons for wanting one, I guess. Some of us grew up lusting after Cobras, before replicas existed, and probably have a different background, therefore, than those who perhaps came into the room from the other door, i.e., saw a replica, liked it, then learned later on that there was a car made in the Sixties that the kit was based upon. As for me, I can still remember seeing my first article on an ERA, something like 25 years ago. I had devoured every written word I could find on the original Cobras, and it suddenly seemed there was a way to obtain a car that was otherwise unobtainable. It was years before the proliferation of replicas of all kinds, based upon multiple donor sources. Now, there is something for everyone in our Cobra hobby, from the "purist" who wants to pretend it is 1965 again, to the guy who would probably just as soon own a streetrod but thinks the Cobra body shape is neat, to the guy who finds an affordable Mustang donor car and realizes an FFR is the ticket to a dream.

There is room for everybody, and I don't think being "stuck in time" is any better or worse than any other take on the hobby. It's just one angle on it. I know my car is not a real Cobra. I still want it to look like one; it just happens to be important to me. But it doesn't make me look down my nose at the guy with the purple Cobra with chrome Centerline wheels parked next to me at a Texas Cobra Club meet; he's just playing a different instrument in the same band, if you follow me. Sure, the people who are overly anal about "original detail" can be irritating, but so can the people who bash the people who are overly anal about it. It's a natural occurrence when you have this many people from so many backgrounds sharing a common interest. We're all one big, happy, dysfunctional family, kind of like Christmas at my house.

But hey, it's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Bob

[casaleenie]

jhaynie,

The number should be on the firewall with a 1964 date on it..

[Ikestaa]

Alot of it is in the history of the car. When you have an original, you don't just have a car, you have a piece of history. An original piece of history at that.

[SilverCobra]

Well put Bob - my sentiments exactly. I can always depend on you to be the voice of reason. A "Cobra Snob" was probably already a snob before he owned a Cobra!

[Hal Copple]

Well, actually in the 7th grade, i had to go see Mr. Berkley, the most serious offense was when i leaned over my rubber vomit, and pretended to gag, and the two girls sitting right next to me immediately vomited. The next time i put a Whoopee cushion under the seat of the arts teacher.

No sense of humor at all.

What would you expect from a kid who took first grade twice??

[Edley Rondinone]

Always liked 'em, finally could afford a pre-owned replica, and am as happy as a clam!!! To those just building one, or are hoping to build one soon, you are in for the most fun you can possible imagine!!! Cheers to everyone who has a HOT ROD shaped like a Cobra!!! Now if we can just get Ernie "back into the fold", as it were, we will be one big happy/crabby family again! Ernie, what's the latest time line for your next Cobra?

[Excaliber]

Edley,,,,I hear you! It will be a couple of more months before the "money" picture has cleared up. I'm still working on my list of "must haves", ha ha. Champagne taste, but don't know if I got a "beer" budget or what yet!
Ernie

[RACERAL]

Just for the sake of conversation, I want you to take a look at the pictures below. The cobra's in the pictures are owned by Dr. Jim Maxwell. One of the finest human beings I have ever known.
These cars are as real as they get. They are not trailer queens.. heck, he drives the hell out of them on the track, and even in the rain.. He lets his buddies drive them.. Thats me and my wife taking the white one on a 200 mile cruz... He comes to all of our FFR events.. his cars are always the hit of the party.

I guess what I am trying to say is, don't put everybody in the same pot... Oh, by the way, at our FFR christmas party, in 2001, we invited all cobra owners and gave away door prizes.... I overheard some of the SPF group saying they would wax their spf's with the ffr shirts we were giving away...

Every group has their "problem children"

[Back in Black]

You get the picture. One size does not fit all. This is supposed to be the land of individuality.

[Excaliber]

casaleenie,,,,,,,,ha ha,,,"and were off"! That and another recent comment was "Are your sidepipes ready to rrUMBLLLE",,,,,,keep me chuckling.

Ernie

[Pete C]

Great start (thumbs up Carroll), good points, well stated, fun read! But snake, purple and chrome? I just don't know, I need more sensitivity training before I confront that demon.

Cheers, Pete

[Turk]

I have been around this forum for a while, and must admit reading and posting in more than one thread where the replicas, originals, copies, knowck-offs and whatever were discussed, argued and fought over.

I don't remember one instance where the owners of the Original cars ever stooped down to our level to participate in such unbecoming exercise. Usually it is people like me and others with variations of Cobras who have done the putting down and yelling and screaming.

The original owners have risen above all that. They have very little to prove. As for putting the Originals on an altar....I am guilty as charged. I doubt anyone of those folks shelled out hundreds of thou$ands so that they can put US down!

They have too much class for that, and have demonstrated it over and over...

If there was such a thread, please point me to it, so I can read it before I retracted what I just posted.

TURK