Club Cobra is now 10 years old! Oh, and Happy New Year!

[Brent Mills]

Well, honestly, the 10 year anniversary snuck up on me, and I am writing yet again, from a stupid hospital bed (finally getting the gallbladder out after my latest attack). You'll remember a couple of years ago I had my appendix out on Thanksgiving day, so I have a history of finding my way here on holidays. Anyways….it has been 10 years, as of January 1’st, since Club Cobra first opened its cyber doors and a lot has gone on.



A little CC history since it’s the 10 year anniversary…Since I was in high school, I had been dreaming of the day I could own a Shelby or a replica, and I had been saving for a while. In the middle of 1998, my wife Sherrie and I went to the farmers market in downtown Seattle (if you’ve never been, it’s worth the visit if you’re in town). We split up for a while to do some shopping and gawking on our own. As we were leaving, Sherrie told me that she got me a scratch lottery ticket (a nice potential surprise). As we were driving down the highway she asked me if I wanted to scratch it and that she was feeling lucky. I said sure, hold the wheel. Scratching….10k…scratching….10k….scratching….10k!! ! Wholly cow, I won 10k!!! I’m so stoked. I turned to her and said that a replica was now within reach! We both were very excited as we cruised down the highway at 65mph. Ok, grab the wheel and calm down, and tell your lovely wife (girlfriend at the time) that you’re taking her to dinner! So we find a nice place and sit down for a bite…The whole while I am going on and on about how crazy this is and how great it was. As we were waiting for the food, I am looking at the ticket and I turn it over. I start reading about how to redeem the money. “For all winners under $100 redeem at the point of purchase”. Ok, yeah, yeah, but I’m the big winner…What do I do for that? “For 1k and 10k winners, redeem at your mommas house.” Redeem at your mommas house? What? I look over at Sherrie and she can’t contain herself any longer. Oh…really? I’ve been punk’d, but I didn’t get on TV. I actually kind of mad at that point because I had already figured that we could get a Cobra. While this whole experience might sound funny to you, don’t ever do this to someone you care about….You might actually be surprised by their reaction….ask Sherrie! After laughing it off, I turned to her and said “you know, I made up my mind to go and make a dream happen, and it might not be the wisest of decisions, but I’m going to get a loan for the remaining amount and just go make it happen. Bet she didn’t expect that!

Fast forward a month or so, and we make a trip to Arizona where we found a couple Cobras in my range (under 20k) in Hemmings (not so much going on with internet sales at that point). First one had a small block, was nice, but wasn’t quite what I had hoped. The second one had a 427 center oiler, but the history was non-existent. Couldn’t tell the manufacturer and the body and frame seemed a little different than others I had seen. It did have a 427 though, which really was a kick! The guy I purchased from asked me to take her easy, but I couldn’t help but get on it one time and when I did, he about lost his marbles, but….he was happy to get a check. In October the car arrived at my house and I was a happy camper, though many questions lingered. Who is the manufacturer? Who built the engine? More importantly, who else out there has a Cobra?

My first cobra (all because of a fake lotto ticket):


After a bunch of looking on line and asking questions, I didn’t quite find all I was looking for and during my holiday break from my job, I decided to start a site called Club Cobra -- A place where people could come and talk and share with one another. A lot of this decision was based on my desire to learn more about my car, but I have always been an internet guy and even ran a BBS out of my parent’s home on a Commodore 64 when I was in high school, so this all came somewhat naturally.

Guys like John McMahon, Don Dupontee, Art Colley, Neal Jackson, ScottS, and David Gagnard were among the first to register. I think John was the very first with the initial makeshift forum software that I utilized for the first 20 days or so. He and I communicated a lot as he helped me to try and identify my car and other questions I had. A shell of what was there towards the middle of January can be found here: http://clubcobra.com/default2.html , though the links are not functional. As you can see it was a modest beginning, but one that was a foundation for the next 10 years.
Throughout CC's existence, there have been the great times and some bad times….It’s not always roses when you deal with many varying personalities, but there have been many more great things that make this a fun venture.

Since the early days we have had some great help from the likes of Computerworks, Jamo, and Turk. Without their help, the playground would be a mess without even more dedication from me, and given my work schedule and other life commitments I don’t think I could have done it without them, so my hat is off to them! They have been critical elements to our organization and database growth. Much appreciated.

Some of the great things that have happened from my perspective:

• I have met many great people along this road and I have a great appreciation for that.
• I have been flown down to Texas for their annual event a couple times and was awed by their hospitality and loved the people. I love all you guys! 
• I went to the London show one year (DVSII) and once again had the opportunity to meet many great people.
• I went to every WSCB event (thanks a bunch for all of your efforts Duane Cooney!). Again I got to meet a ton of people along that journey.
• We have seen many local clubs spring up (see the clubs section of the site).
• We have witnessed the number of enthusiasts for these cars we all love go through the roof.
• We have watched as various manufacturers have come and grown while others came and left.
• WE all built a huge database of information together and it has helped countless others avoide pitfalls or otherwise assist in projects.
• Of course the biggest benefit of all of this and the root of why it was all started, is to meet those other enthusiasts whom we would not have met otherwise. It is a really great thing that a site and a car could bring so many people together who share a common bond.
• There have been numerous long lasting and often viewed threads (for the top dogs you can see the list on http://ww.clubcobra.com/forums . Here’s a few samples below:

Cool Cobra tags
Average Age?
http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46546 < Latest recognition

So where does the future take us? Well, I have some visions, but I’ll need input from you all over coming years. I think there is more for us to explore on the social networking side of things, including blogs, web spaces (think myspace), though we have a blog system that is very underutilized already. I would love to see more sharing of history, etc, and bringing those things to the forefront more. It would be great if as an organization we had better CC representation at events such as the one in London or Run ‘N Gun, etc, as far as planning more face to face time with other members, and things such as that.

It’s been mostly pleasure serving you guys/gals over the last 10 years and here’s to another 10. Well, I have written enough, and I’m fading quickly….Sitting in hospital beds suck!

Happy New Year and thank you all for your contributions to the site!

Please share below your favorite threads or pictures or history or whatever you feel pertinent.

[Jay Little]

Happy New Year!

And thanks for letting me hang around!

P.S. Speedy recovery!!

[Andrew Teal]

Brent,
Its been great and I remember meeting you and your great wife for the first time at the Fair grounds and you had the Cobra with no windshield , just
a windscreen. You guys seem like down to earth people and always took time to talk to people. We have lost a few good people over the years they well always be in my thoughts. The best to you and your wife in the New Year. 2009 Looking forward to the next Ten.

Andy Teal

[Blas]

Hey, secure the tie on that hospital gown!!!!
And thanks for all your efforts during the last 10 years....
Hope your back on your feet real soon...
Blas

[GT350Mike]

Happy New Year to you too! We'll pray for your speedy recovery!!!

[btsai]

Brent -- congratulations! This site is a great accomplishment. I can relate to holding on to the dream. I'm going on 33 years (of hoping, that is). I had some unforseeable $ set backs over the last few years (family related) -- putting the day I truly join the club off for a few more years, but I still hope to get there some day.

Thanks for doing this.

Regards,

Ben

[ROUSHAC]

Happy New Year, Brent!

Thanks for this great forum. My only complaint about CC is that I wish I had found it a lot sooner than I did. Going over some of the old threads is pretty entertaining. Meeting folks I first met here online in person has been a great pleasure in every instance. Cobra folks are certainly good people.

Get better soon. Regarding the gall bladder removal - BTDT myself this past summer (had it done laparoscopically) along with fixing some other minor problems. I guess I enjoyed FAR too much of far too many "exciting" food over many years. I have to say I now feel better than I have in years and am sure you will feel the same way soon. Make sure that you take it easy for a while.

[Ozgur_Tan]

wow
it's amazing a decade passed with ClubCobra
well, 10 years ago I was one of the thousands of Cobra 427 builders around the globe
now, I'm building Cobra 289 from scratch that just finished body buck and currently working on windscreen and fastback hardtop
Brent get well soon and thank you for this great webzine
peace
Ozgur @ istanbul

[wtcobra]

Hi, Brent

It has been a quick !0 years! Thank you for all have done for the hobby. I discovered Club Cobra shortly after you got it going, I then joined shortly thereafter. It has been a wonderful resource. I still have my charter member shirts and they are in great condition for being 10 yrs old.

Wayne Turpin

[Jacob Potts]

10 Years of concentrating on anything these days is worth celebrating! :-)

Happy Decade! :-)

Happy New Year! :-)

Jacob :-)

[WildBill3]

Have a great new year Brent, Blessings go your way .I pray you start feeling better now...WB3

[Jamo]

Glad it's coming out, buddy...and a good time for reflection.

Since you mentioned the Fling...can't think of a better memory than Preacher and Blackjack introducing you to some Armenian (certainly not Turkish) raki just before you learned how to snort...yes, snort...taquilla. You can be forgiven for not remembering.

[PDUB]

Godspeed on the recovery!

Great site ! Thanks for keeping the lights on for us.

Signed,

17430

(or at least that's what your email said my name is !)

[partsguy]

My wife has a similar affliction, she gets pancritatous (?sp) attacks when we're away, last time we were in Myrtle Beach and she needed to see the inner workings of the local hospital. Hope all is well and you have a speedy (cobra style recovery)!!

Jeff

[cobrakidz]

Get well soon and here is to another 10 years.

[7968Jim]

happy new year & a profitable recovery.
my cobra & I have been on the road for 14 years now.
LA exotic
just keeps getting better.

quick recovery. you just like all that attention, even if they are waking you up at 2 am to check your blood pressure. ;-)

[CalHusker]

Get Well soon.

Thanks for the Forum...Happy New Year

CalHusker

[ronwin]

Brent:
Happy New Year and congratulations on CC's tenth birthay. I first met CC in early 2001, and have had many hours of mostly interesting, often challenging hours on the site. You are doing a great job.
To all the members who will be reading this today, I wish you also a healthy, prosperous and happy 2009.
Best regards from a not-so-sunny-today Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.

[Gatorac]

Creating a successful forum is not as easy as many think. You have done it. I hope it returns the favor.

Happy New Year.

13961

[fastdriver]

Hello Brent,

I hope the best to Cobra Club for the next ten years, and that you will recover quickly !

Now, my aim is to get a Cobra and built it as soon as I buy a kit that is worth to.

One good reason that you take the good job at the top.

Best Wishes for a happy New Year 2009 !

Rick