Huge price difference

[Chaplin]

I actually thought the watch discussion was on the mark. It may have been a metaphor, but on the mark nonetheless.

[casaleenie]

Edley,

It was a metaphor......Pure and simple....
a comparison of things basically unlike but having some striking similarities.

respectfully,

[Edley Rondinone]

'Leenie: I realize that is what it was. Ron had asked the "watch" threaders to turn the thread back to prices of Cobra replicas. Ernie agreed, as did I. I like reading all the threads and responses; some are quite funny, actually.

[Pete C]

Real 1,

Casio doesn't make the watch and then sell it to Rolex who then charges a premium price for a Casio watch with the Rolex name. If we're talking about aluminum watches, that seems to be the difference.

Cheers, Pete C

[Excaliber]

OK,,,I'll bite.

Rolex completly reworks the Casio case, installs up-graded hands, swaps out the gear set and changes the crystal to the "correct" specifications.

Ernie

[agro1]

Actually it was more of an analogy than a metaphor, and Chaplin is right, it was "on the mark"...

[Pete C]

Ernie

The hands, no but if they use the bezels left over from the original production run, then maybe.

Cheers, Pete C

[REAL 1]

Pete C: You may be right as to actual manufacture and manufacturing process of the watch. Thats not the point and has nothing to do with the point discussed.

The point of the disucssion as it evolved is that a name/brand name by itself can have substantial intrinsic value to the consumer market. Not the actual manufacturing process. Thats a different issue and discussion.

BTW: Many watch companies use common movements from the same suppliers. I don't know if Rolex does too but thats not the point.

Also many products sold today are the same products but packaged differently with slight modifications. Honda/Accura. Toyota/Lexus. Nissan/Infiniti. Also as I remember AC/Shelby American circa 1962 to 1968. The later products in the forgoing examples have a higher dollar value and command more $$$. Why? maybe the name has alot to do with it. No?

[jhl1963]

Real, Certain Rolexes do indeed use outside movements. Until recently, the Daytona used a Zenith movement.

Regards,
Jordan

[Bart Carter]

On the FFR, you have to know what you are buying. If homebuilt, you need to be able to closely examin and know what to look for.

But there also FFR's by professional builders like Levy Racing that I would choose over SPF, ERA or Shelby. The professionals can build to suit your needs, from steet/show to racing.

[REAL 1]

I don't necessasarily agree with your statement. Assuming sufficient funds I would probably opt for a race spec Shelby over a FFR.

For me, since I already have a Shelby, I might opt for the FFR as a pure track car due to the cost and the proposed use ie..track use with the expected wear and tear a track car goes through.

[Blake Olson]

If sufficient funds were available, why not just buy a CSX, and abuse it at the track. Isn't that what they were built for? to drive, not to wax.

blake

[REAL 1]

I do torture my car. I force it to drive at slow to moderate speeds with a driver that refuses to drive it hard.

It keeps begging to be driven as it was intended.

So not to worry. I do abuse my Cobra everytime I drive it.

[Gary Morris]

Evan.....just curious.....didn't you own an ERA before the Shelby? Why didn't you go for the Shelby in the beginning? From what I have read over the years your ERA was top notch. Did you just get tired of saying it's not real at the car shows? Just curious as I love them all BUT if Shelby had his way only the elite would be able to afford a Cobra.

Gary

[Blake Olson]

Evan,

how about some photos of your car?!

"the most accurately detailed 4000 to original specification since the demise of CSX 4027."

would be worth looking at.

[B. SMITH]

EARNIE,

I GOT A GOOD LOOK AT THE FFR AND AND THE BACKDRAFT AT A TRACK EVENT THIS PAST WEEKEND.
CONSIDERING YOUR PASSION FOR THE TRACK THAT BACKDRAFT WITH BMW 92" WB HARDWARE GETS REAL ATTRACTIVE.
THE MONEY IS ABOUT THE SAME SPEC FOR SPEC .......UNIQUE IS A GOOD COMPARABLE AS WELL..

B. SMITH

[REAL 1]

Gary: Yes I did own an ERA. Yes, they are top notch in my opinion. I have the highest regard for ERA and the guys there and I am still friendly with Peter Portante.

I had mixed emotions selling my ERA. I understood how Turk felt. It was a beautiful car.

To me ,however, when Shelby got back into the business of making Cobras I was smitten. I remember as kid with my little brother reading about the Cobra in Car mags. It was a legend in its own time.

I could not afford to buy an original but the new Cobras, although expensive, I felt were worth the stretch. To me being able to own a "new" Cobra identical to the original and the fact that it was a REAL Shelby Cobra, just not of original vintage was a dream come true.

I love the Cobra, its history and was always a fan of its legendary place in automotive history and CS and his accomplishents. Its REAL Americana and a car we can be proud of as Americans.

As a car its a legend and it has transcended generations. Not many other cars can make the same claims. This is what led me to buy and ERA. Its was right around the time SAI was just getting started.

After owning the ERA a couple years and seeing SAI's Cobras I made the decision that wanted the next step. I wanted product of SAI and a car that was rightfully considered a REAL Cobra and accepted by SAAC as a Cobra.

I wanted to experience the car as it actually was. I wanted a 427 Cobra that not only looked like a Cobra but was a Cobra under the skin and drove and behaved as a Cobra did. I wanted a time machine. I wanted in short, a 427 Cobra. Only two cars can offer that. CSX 3000's and CSX 4000's.

So, no it was the fact I couldn't say my ERA wasn't real at car shows. It was the simple fact I wanted a Cobra and it was within reach now. In fact as of last summer I found that I enjoyed driving the damn thing more than sitting around at shows with kids dripping ice cream on it.

Blake: I'm working on it. I'm a computer idiot. I'm going to ask Ron to help me with the pic.

[Excaliber]

B Smith, I didn't know the Back Draft was 2 inches longer in wheel base! Is it also a little wider as well?

I'm not keen on using other than Ford parts on my Cobra. For me that pretty much rules out Back Draft and Hunters, all though I'm sure they are fine cars.

I'm definitly to HARD on a car to buy a CSX for racing! An ultra simple FFR would be my choice for a track only car. Heck I've looked at some ad's for incomplete kits not even painted yet and thought THAT would make a nice option for a track only car. Spray some "cheap" paint on it and have a go!

Ernie

[Gary Morris]

Thanks Evan....I know how you feel but unfortnately for me and I think a lot of others is that I can't make that jump up. It was all I could do to swing the used ERA I have and at times I would like to have a new ERA but would have a hard time parting with it so I continue to upgrade when I can and can say I'm very proud of where it is at this time. Also...get someone to help you as I would love to see your car as well.

Gary

[Steve Kirkham]

Originally posted by RallySnake


You mean,

You really do, "get what you pay for"?

Paul

This has nothing to do with my obvious ties or anything, just something I've noticed over the years. I think the general idea is much more usefully phrased as:

"You very rarely get what you don't pay for"

Henceforth, that is to be known as "Steve's Elaboration" Credit to my paternal grandfather for the general concept.