And the New Cobra continues to impress

Art Colley · #1 (**permalink**) 01-08-2004, 07:33 PM

After all the discussions, pro and con, about the new Cobra, Autoweek chose it as it best in show.

See http://autoweek.com/specials/2004_de...itors/index.mv

I happen to agree, but I know there are many opinions, but I wanted to post the link for info.

Regards,

Bill Kesner · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 04:59 AM

Art,

Welcome back! It's good to read your posts again. I also have to agree with you, as I like the looks of the new car. It's different, and it definitely grows on you. I would not buy one right now, but I would love to take this car for a track test.....do you hear me Car & Driver, Road & Track, etc.

- Bill -

Mike Holt · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 06:51 AM

I'm in the "i'm not so sure yet" camp. I don't understand why the automakers can't recreate the classic lines of yester year using the modern materials and technology of today. The Big 3 are trying to make "retro" look cars but IMHO are falling short.... PT Cruiser

, T-Bird

, and now Cobra

. The only real re-creation is the GT-40. I just think all of them could do so much better with out the new sports car look. This new cobra looks too much like an Audi TT for me, which looks like the Nissan 350, which looks like....I dunno but I think you get my point..

BANDIT 1 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 08:07 AM

Most people that I have talked to are thrilled with a 3000 pound, all aluminum chassis, 605 horsepower V10 powered two seater. Most people I have talked to are NOT thrilled with the bland "ugly" body that comes on that all aluminum chassis.

As we have seen from Mr. Buzz, a few changes can make the car look pretty cool...

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 10:19 AM

With the new "Back to the Future", retro design currently in vogue with the manufacturers (and a nice trend it is) the GT-40 is an anomaly. A one of a kind. It is the ONLY retro design out there that is VERY accurate to the original.

It, therefore, appears that this new design philosophy is NOT intended to mirror the original design. It's an exercise in the "modern" sense.

Interesting that the chose not to mess with the GT-40...........

Ernie

Wahoo · #6 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 11:08 AM

you know what they say about opinions

Lowell W · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2004, 08:54 AM

As one friend recently emailed me: "You are 100% right [about the new Cobra] and the new Thunderbird is a great example.... Appeals to a niche market nostalgic for something they never understood in the first place."

Jerry Chabino · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2004, 03:06 PM

Art,

Good to hear from you.

Regards,

Jerry Chabino

hotrodman · #9 (**permalink**) 01-12-2004, 03:14 PM

Even if I had the money, I would still rather have an old style Cobra.

StephenC · #10 (**permalink**) 01-14-2004, 03:35 PM

Art:

Yep, everyone has an opinion. LOL

I saw the new Shelby Cobra yesterday at the NAIAS in Detroit. I liked the pictures I had seen and liked the look of it on the TV show, "Rides". While I still thought it was really nice, I wasn't as impressed with it in person as I was looking at pictures. It's still a VERY nice car, but I'll keep my Superformance, thank you. There's just something about the curves of the old Cobras/replicas. The new Cobra has ALOT of very straight lines.

Also, the Ford GT was awesome and the Mustang was nice too. I have some pictures posted on another thread here at CC, feel free to take a look. There will be some really nice cars coming out in the near future. Take a look at the Acura HSC and the Chrysler 412, not to mention the Lambos, Vettes, and Vipers. It should be fun.

Best Wishes!

Art Colley · #11 (**permalink**) 01-14-2004, 04:27 PM

Don't get me wrong, I am like most in that I would rather have an "old" one.

What I like so much about the new one is the statement Ford is making about the original Cobra (including ours). And the obvious effort to build a non-replica says a lot about the respect that they have for the old one... including the replicas.

The GT, on the other hand, is more of a re-creation car.

In my view, each is consistent with the originals cars, their history, and the number of cars that are actually out there. In the case of the GT40, they could do a recreation, in the case of the Cobra, they could not.

Consider it in another, though narrow way... Would Ford really try to build a modern replica of the original Cobra, considering what we already have. I suspect they would have trouble differentiating themselves. Nonetheless, they obviously consider it very important to do, so they made a modern, "reminder" car, not a replica. I think that's good news, and I think it shows respect for the industry as it is now.

That's just my thoughts.

I really like it a lot.
Regards,

AlphaCobra · #12 (**permalink**) 01-14-2004, 05:09 PM

Some more info on the new Cobra as well as more pics. http://autoshow.msn.com/as/autoshow2...w=autoshow2004

hotrodman · #13 (**permalink**) 01-14-2004, 05:45 PM

I LOVE the new Mustang and GT but am not completely sold on the new Cobra. I like the idea of the V 10 but am not totally sold on the styling of it. The wheels look like the new thunderbird wheels or ones on a Lincoln Navogator. Sometimes I think J Mays puts a little too much "elegance" in some of his designs. They have to change the styling some on it.

Wayne Maybury · #14 (**permalink**) 01-14-2004, 06:12 PM

Art

It is nice to see you back.

The new Cobra???????? Can't afford it, love my Johnex.

Wayne

BANDIT 1 · #15 (**permalink**) 01-14-2004, 09:27 PM

The car is ugly, period! With Mr. Buzzes modifications, the car looks very nice.

If the car is to be the new Cobra, it must be VERY good looking (sure looks ugly to me...) and must have awesome performance (V10 605 horsepower = awesome performance).

The Ford GT is VERY good looking and has awesome performance.