Rarity/Uniqueness of Cobras waning?

[jhl1963]

Guys, I am just curious how the guys who have owned their Cobras for a long time feel about the infusion of new Cobras in the last 5 years or so? For me, one of the main reasons I have always loved the Cobra (Kit/Replica) is the rarity as compared to regular production cars - and although I still want one (rarity is not first on my list), I think some of this charm is gone as they are not as rare anymore (not that they are around every corner like a C5, but I think you know what I mean). Mitigating this issue, at least for me, is the reduction in price/more choices due to the increased competition.

Thoughts?

Jordan

[CowtownCobra]

Rarity/Uniqueness?

Don't know where you are, but they still are around here. Went racing last weekend. Exactly one cobra showed up (mine). Got LOTS of attention.

[REDSC400]

At the recent SAAC Meeting here in the Northeast at Mustang's Unlimited, there were a total of 9 Cobras there. You may think that this is a large number, however, these cars were from Connecticut, Mass and New York.

Other than a planned rendezvous, I virtually never happen upon another Cobra on the roads here in Connecticut. I know of two others in my town, but I never see them out and about. I do not know if they are road worthy at present.

Other parts of the country may be different, but here in New England you are Alone...

[Ron61]

We had 17 show up at a function a few weeks ago but I don't really care about having something different and unique so the more the more fun for me. If I had unlimited money and really wanted something unique, I would look at some of the one off prototypes they have now. Cobras will still get a lot of looks and waves whether there is one of them or 40 of them driving down the street.

Ron

[392cobra]

Since 1962 I have seen 4 other Cobras other than at our meetings or car shows.

1 on I-35 south of Waco in 1969.
1 in North Dallas,1997
1 on 183 east of Ft.Worth,2002
1 in Port Aransas,2003

[CobraEd]

Maybe a little less rare, But the cool thing that I see happening is that there is a big new interest in the Cobra. I see a whole new respect and awareness of the Cobra as an automotive ledgend and icon. You see it more and more on TV, in adds and around in general in advertising. It seems to once again represent the standard for America's "over the top" image of what a performance car should and can be.

Ed

[casaleenie]

Originally posted by jhl1963


Guys, I am just curious how the guys who have owned their Cobras for a long time feel about the infusion of new Cobras in the last 5 years or so? For me, one of the main reasons I have always loved the Cobra (Kit/Replica) is the rarity as compared to regular production cars - and although I still want one (rarity is not first on my list), I think some of this charm is gone as they are not as rare anymore (not that they are around every corner like a C5, but I think you know what I mean). Mitigating this issue, at least for me, is the reduction in price/more choices due to the increased competition.

Thoughts?

Jordan

Jordan,

I understand your concerns but really they are still quite a rarity.
I saw my first Cobra in 1964 and 38 years later I saw my second one...(1st one was a real one) Didn't even know they existed as a replica.
In this area you could probably pull as many as twenty Cobras together on a weeks notice.. However, you'll almost never see another one while you're just driving around.
I had the same concerns you did about the rarity but they never cease to draw a crowd...
For me it's a great body style with an inordinate amount of HP.
Why should I be the only one to enjoy it... Plus it's a great community: the Cobra owners... The more the merrier...

[Art Burtt]

Yeah ,I agree too many Cobras. Let's all sell ours and build Daytona Coupes LOL

[Toby]

I am new to my Cobra, but a couple of weeks ago My sweetie and I loaded up and went to the Harley Owners Group thing here in Shreveport to check out the rides. I was shocked by the overwhelming good response we received from people who already had some cool stuff ( albeit two wheelers). They high fived the ol' Cobra to a faretheewell!! As we drove over the bridge back to Bossier City, I was swelled up with pride and that ol' Cobra was probably smiling. Hope this makes you feel better.

[Ron61]

Toby,

Your response from the Harley Group is typical from my experience. I have yet to pass or meet a bunch of the motorcycle crowd that hasn't waved and given me the thumbs up. About 10 of them came roaring up from behind me on the freeway one day and then just sort of sourrended the car looking it over and every one of them waved and gave me a thumbs up.

Ron

[trularin]

Fred, you need to get out more.

They are attention getters and a real disappointment to ricers, corvettes and just about anything else.

Now, how many GT40s have you seen????

Just wondering

[Clois Harlan]

Same song different geographical area...


I did see another when my wife and I did a drive through at the Sonic Saturday night. Red with with a black rag top. Not sure why the two guys had their top up in 80 degree weather but whatever floats their boat. I know of about 17 Cobras here in the Tulsa area and I had only seen another one when I was out only a couple of times. Thumbs up all the time.


Clois

[petek]

Draw a circle with a diameter of 5 miles and a center point of my home and you'll encircle three, maybe four, Cobras. And I live in a town with a population of 12,000!

Widen the circle to 25 miles and I think you'll pick up to something like 20 Cobras.

I guess folks in the Midwest just know what a good car is suppose to look and sound like!

I don't know of anyone in the area that has a McLaren M6GT replica, other than me!

Next on the list is a GT40 or 917 replica ... all it takes is the one thing I ain't got: money!

[klayfish]

Are there more Cobras now than 5 years ago? Yup. Will there be more in another 5 years? Yup. Will they be as common as other sports cars? Nope. Will I still get a thrill out of driving it? Hell yes. So life is good!!

And besides, it's the same with street rods and resto rods right now. It's kind of a fad. It may settle down some in years to come, and you won't see as many of them.

Steve

[Russ Dickey]

Yeah, for a city with only 400,000 people inside the city limits, and 1M in the metro area, Kansas City has a lot of Cobras. We've got around 40-50 , and usually about half of them show up for our MACC functions (if the weather is nice enough). They still draw a crowd though, and plenty of waves, stares, hoops & hollers when I'm out on the road. Just somethin' about 'em....

[jmkkingpin]

1011 originals (sorry evan) 5000 FFR 1500 Superformance 1000-2000 all others maybe, they sell more miatas in one year, still a rare car!!!

[RedBarchetta]

It's retina-burning red and it's loud. Doesn't matter where I go...always draws attention. And since I've acquired her, I've learned of three other Cobra owners in my own city. Doesn't matter....these cars are like magnets to young and old.

I agree that the amount of competition and lower entry points (i.e. FFR) have allowed more to enjoy the hobby. That's okay...there's plenty of room for others to enjoy days in the sunshine.

-Deano

[flipper35]

Shortly after I got mine there was a second one in town. Population 1200. I now live in a town of about 50,000. I only know of one other one and it is silver and black. We did have one come through and stop at a gathering of classic cars, but it was an automatic with a bowtie 427 and an inch gap under the windshield and a few other oddities.

[RaceDeck]

I have a couple of cars that might be considered "more exotic" but none of them even come close to the Attention-Factor of my Kirkham...First they hear the RuMbLe the the motor from a distance then when you pull up to the stop light and the purrrrrrr of the two side pipes and the car rumbling....People just love it and the kids are the best part of it smiling and pointing....They get to see a real hot-rod

[casaleenie]

Jordan,

Remember, there is always the 289 FIA model... Still somewhat of a rarity when it comes to Cobras... (Unless you're from Georgia or Alabama) As far as being able to round up 20 Cobras from our area, I think mine is the only 289 model... and that I like....