Rick Kopec's "What's Your Beef?"

[RodKnock]

That seems harsh.

[Jamo]

Agreed...seems real enough.

He didn't think he owed an apology to the 65 1/2 owners earlier today...and like some old Hollywood critic with self-created import, his personal angst in determining what he thinks has an affect on folks. Seems to me he could certainly act a bit more professionally in communicating his thoughts given the light he thinks the hobby as a whole ought to hold him in...is the Registry simply to be seen as an op piece?

Harsh indeed.

[289ACE]

As one of the lightning rods on this one (a carryover owner who created the carryover website) I have actually been incredibly amused it. I have been accused of using SAAc generated adjective for my own personal gain. When I question if I am really understanding things correctly, am chided for throwing things written in the past in Ricky's face. In addition to that I have been informed there is now a new accepted adjective for the cars ("early"), and the owners that felt they had been attacked are told they had not been, that it would have been much worse if he had launched an attack. The last part of this dumbo ride is the 1 or 2 sycophants joining in with go get 'em Rick, they deserve it and you have a comedy that has been priceless!
To make up for it, I took the car out today and ran it through a few 4 wheel drifts to remind myself why I bought it. All is good in the life of one carryover owner regardless of what Ricky tried to do. Hard to believe he heads up a national car club.
Jay

[Nedsel]

Irrespective of whether one agrees with Rick or does not, editors have always been given free license to voice their opinions. They are allowed one, just like everyone else. The result is usually healthy discussion.

[REAL 1]

Who gave permission to start a REAL or replica thread without me!!!:LOL

Oy Vey. What a mess.

Wasn't this site a major SAAC supporter not too long ago vis a vis its pissing contest with Team Shelby? Where is the love???

I didn't follow all that Mustang stuff. Of no interest to me.

SAAC has long ago accepted the Continuation Series Cobra as a genuine Cobra. Talk about semantics...some here questioned whether "genuine" was the same as "real". Give me a break.

Fact is some here have always had their panties in a bunch over the Continuation Cobras being accepted or considered as REAL cobras aka genuine Cobras by SAAC no doubt becasue they viewed them as threat to what they owned. Original owners likely didn't want their turf being infringed on with another "real" Cobra and replica owners didn't like idea of anything other then originals being considered "real" and therefore viewed on the food chain above what they owned. Truth hurts. Some however didn't care. Some did and even sold their non Shelbys and bought Shelbys.

While some accuse Kopec of being an elitest I've encountered some "original" Cobra owners that are elitest and take every opprotunity to knock the Continuation series. Some right on this site. Some here have accused me of being an elitest because I always defended what the Continuation series is and responded to people putting it down. I don't think I'm an elitest but if defending my car with facts makes me an elitest..then I'm an elitest. Thats fine.

Replica owners clearly understand they have replicas as that term is popularly accepted. Point out one FFR, Backdraft, SPF, Everett Morrision, ERA owner that thinks he as a real Cobra for REAL and not some wise a$$ cute response and I'll show you one delusional puppy. Referring to their cars as "replicas" shouldn't be a "news flash" as to what they have or considered as a knock. Its what they have. Period. Continuation owners (except the for self deprecating few of them longing for acceptance and friends amoung non Shelby owners) consider their Cobras real/genuine Cobras and consider it a knock to their cars if referred to as replicas. I don't need anymore friends. Candidly, I don't give a $hit what guys here think of me for sticking up for the Continuation Series. Phuck 'em. I'd say the same thing about the Contination series to anyone nose that I'd say here. SAAC also considers the Continuation series real Cobras. Thats good enough for me. Sorry guys but the REAL thing has for 10+ years included the Continuation Series Cobras.

The fact that the term "replica" (which is not only means an exact copy but one made by the original artist) moniker was misused years ago now leaves us having to separate that term out as not applicable to the Continuation series because of its now commonly accpeted meaning i.e.immitation of the real thing.

I think its fair to say that Continuation series are real Shelby Cobras and if its a real Shelby its ergo a Real Cobra.

All cars btw are made of components. Some assembled at the manufacturer some assembled elsewhere. Always thought that term used by SAAC for the Continuation series was stupid but necessiated by the new world we live in i.e. DOT, EPA etc.. which weren't even a thought in the 1960s.

When people ask me if my Cobra is REAL I say "yes sir, its a Continuatin series Shelby Cobra". Is it original? No. But REAL? ...hell yessssss. Its even in the SAAC registry along with the Chili, Popcorn and Originals. LOL.

If you guys don't like my answer....the old TS doctrine applies.

Only time will test the REAL metal of the Continuation Series and their collectibility and desireability. Once the Ol' man has gone up to that big race track in the sky we will see where the Continuation Series stands in years to come. One thing for sure, If I were a betting man, I'd rather have my money down on a Continuation Series Cobra then any replica. In aluminum iteriation there are presently I think only about 190 existing....this is less then the number of originals. Wow, think about it....theoretically this means that an aluminum Continuation Series Cobra could end up being rarer than an original Cobra!!!!! Just sayin...

[computerworks]

You have a replica of the original, made by Shelby.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by computerworks

You have a replica of the original, made by Shelby.

Made by someone else for Shelby.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by computerworks

You have a replica of the original, made by Shelby.

Ron,

I think Rick would disagree with you on that. From my half hearted attempt at paying attention to this, I would think the only cars the Rick might even consider calling a replica would be an exact duplicate, perhaps a CSX30xx completion car or a extremely well done Kirkham with original style suspensions might qualify.

Like an FFR or ERA, an aluminum CSX4000 is neither an original nor a replica in Rick's terminology. However a CSX4000 is a genuine Shelby Cobra. Notice that I avoided the word real.

[RodKnock]

Besides death and taxes, there are two additional certainties in this world.

1. Evan will show up when there's a "real Cobra" discussion, and
2. Jamo will quickly close the thread.

Personally, I commiserate with the "Carryover" or "Leftover" Shelby Mustang owners. Since I've been a SAAC member, some 30 years, that's always been the terminology and they've always had a greater value than the other 1966's, but less than a 1965. They've always been my personal favorite.

[Jamo]

Re: No. 2.

Not before I respond to a few things...

Ned...obviously. Voicing a personal opinion (and clearly labeled as such given his position with the Registry) is absolutely fine. But for the head of the Club to go after some folks like that was most certainly over the line. And his continued derogatory attitude to the replica market, while SAAC had its hat out last year to help fend off Shelby?

Shooting oneself in the foot is one thing...using a shotgun to do it is just plain assinine.

I most certainly hope for the good of SAAC and its Members that the rest of you folks on the editorial board might have a conversation with him...maybe hold up a picture of CS in a mirror frame to make the point.

Evan...as usual, you've come on without researching what the issue is and shot your fool mouth off again. I take it you haven't seen the CC Staff Meeting video? As for this forum being 100% behind SAAC (or Shelby, for that matter)...evidently an impression formed from your mental masterbatory techniques. (Club cobra took no position and highly regulated threads about the SAAC vs. Shelby dispute.) BTW...Kopec's treatment of 4000s ain't much better than his treatment of any other replica...just renamed "riff-raff" if you care to read the first page of this thread.

I will say this, however...during all the years of reading Evan's posts...he has never engaged in mean or derogatory remarks against other makes of replicas. Further...he goes to great lengths to explain his logic for his position while making clear his appreciation for other makes.

[mr bruce]

wunder iff Kopek hates Cheetahs too?

[Jamo]

Damn it Bruce...don't go being funnier than hell on us.

[mr bruce]

[JWilly]

As an owner of a replica, I have been asked 100's of times "Is it real?" As we all know, the information these people are clumsily seeking is "Is this an original Cobra?". 99.99999999999% of the people asking the "Is it real?" question do not have the slightest clue that there is a continuation Shelby Cobra being made.

This being said, I am strongly considering purchasing a 4000 series continuation Cobra. I'll keep my SPF but I would like to own something that comes truly from Carroll Shelby (and the Shelby Mustang just doesn't speak to me).

[289ACE]

Re: No. 2.

Not before I respond to a few things...

Ned...obviously. Voicing a personal opinion (and clearly labeled as such given his position with the Registry) is absolutely fine. But for the head of the Club to go after some folks like that was most certainly over the line. And his continued derogatory attitude to the replica market, while SAAC had its hat out last year to help fend off Shelby?

Shooting oneself in the foot is one thing...using a shotgun to do it is just plain assinine.

I most certainly hope for the good of SAAC and its Members that the rest of you folks on the editorial board might have a conversation with him...maybe hold up a picture of CS in a mirror frame to make the point.


Jamo, Well said.
Jay

[CSX 4027]

I have known Rick since the 80' and while I do not speak with him on a regular basis, when I do, it's nothing less than an enjoyable experience with a witty guy who know more about Shelby and his cars than most people on the planet. I have always considered him a friend. That will never change.
I was a stow-a-way about this time 40 years ago and ended up at the Woodstock festival. I was there from beginning to end. I met famous band members and did all of what the 60's was about. When I arrived home, I was screamed at and punished by my parents who stated: "You will never do that again" I replied; No Problem, there will never be another Woodstock! I was right.
After the 60's there was never another Original 1962-1965 Cobra!
Am I right again? I think so..

[FIA Mike]

Steve,

I’m glad you find Mr. Kopec a good drinking buddy. However, others do not share your same feelings for him. I for one find him less that trustworthy. Not to say CS is any better. What is the old saying "If you lay down with dogs, you will end up with flees.” That saying seems appropriate here.

My 2 cents worth, FIA Mike

[CSX 4027]

Nobody's perfect. Not me, not you, not Rick, not Carroll, not Enzo, not Iacocca, Henry Ford, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Regan, Clinton, or Obama.
But if you personally knew the majority listed here, you would say you were in good company.
As long as the good outweighs the bad and I have a good time with those who have more knowledge and experience than I on a particulat topic of pesonal interest , who cares..

[FIA Mike]

Steve,

Well stated. Rick just comes across "holier than thou" too often and it grates on a lot of people. I guess I'm one of them. We should all be able to “play nice” together no matter what we own or drive.

FIA Mike

[CSX 4027]

Even if we all live to 100, life is short so, playing nice is a good thing.