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

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Does that mean your're the older one

I am guessing not by a long shot .

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

It's a Superformance Cobra, which is a replica of a real Shelby Cobra, which is a Cobra sold by Shelby.

...therefore if Carroll says anything's a Cobra, then it is- which also makes it a replica of his real Cobra.

But it's been expressed here that a replica is exact to the original in every way. Something no SPF is.

So if I get this thread (to Jamo's amusement) an ERA (for example) is neither a 'Cobra' nor 'replica' for the following reasons:
A. He didn't allow them to say it is.
B. It's not a 'replica', exacting in duplication to the original (rectangular tube chassis for example).

So I conclude an ERA is-an 'ERA', an identity unto it's own. When asked, I always refer to my car as an ERA -not a replica or Cobra. It's a hand built sports car that closely resembles Shelby's Cobras.

It's my opinion that Shelby seriously dilutes the pedigree of his cars, so fervently championed here by their owners, by the licenses he grants to carry the name.

The tin can K-car owners and crap ERA owners (among many others) are not burdened by a fierce need to demonstrate superiority and propagate resale value by belonging to the franchise.

Flame away.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

...therefore if Carroll says anything's a Cobra, then it is- which also makes it a replica of his real Cobra.

So I conclude an ERA is-an 'ERA', an identity unto it's own. When asked, I always refer to my car as an ERA -not a replica or Cobra. It's a hand built sports car that closely resembles Shelby's Cobras.

Chas -- When I had him sign my car I think there was a 50/50 chance that he would have written "ERA732 Cobra" had I asked him to.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Chas -- When I had him sign my car I think there was a 50/50 chance that he would have written "ERA732 Cobra" had I asked him to.

...so you wrote it after he signed it-that's great. You should send him that picture-you're a lawyer and would have a fighting chance against his legal staff.
Well for about a month maybe-then they'd burn your money to the ground for years.

How much did he charge for that little enhancement?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

...so you wrote it after he signed it-that's great. You should send him that picture-you're a lawyer and would have a fighting chance against his legal staff.
Well for about a month maybe-then they'd burn your money to the ground for years.

How much did he charge for that little enhancement?

He wrote it exactly as you see it. Of course, you knew that.

[noblec5]

I own a Bondurant! I have proof.

[poboy427]

It is amusing to me that Jay Leno has a Cobra that by description must really chap Kopec and Shelby's loins. Jay says it is a alum body pounded out much the way the originals are but he refuses to buckle under to remarks about not owning an ariginal.

Jay has more money than Kopec or CS put together but......... he likes all cars and I hope he stays pat on his position. He does however have his original Shelby Mustang.

Lots of people have an original Shelby of some type and an unreal Shelby sitting next to it in the garage.

Soon Kopec and CS will be too stoved up to even get into a Shelby. Then the new guard can take over. Bitterness to the end though. I wonder if Kopec and Shelby are buddies now. He use to refer to Carroll as a bitter old man who is loosing his memory.

[REAL 1]

Sal is incorrect.

Superformance is a "replica" of a Cobra. They are NOT considered "Cobras" by Shelby. CS/SAI only licensed Superformance to build "replicas" of Cobras. Superformance in the deal with Shelby also agreed to construct CSX Cobras for Shelby if needed to CSX specs. Superformance dealers were also given the right to sell CSX Cobras.

The Superformance MkIII is NOT in the Registry either. Only the Superformance GT40 which is clearly noted to be a "replica" of the GT40 unlike the Safir GT40's, Holman & Moody GT40, Karkraft GT40.

The above is not noted as an insult to Superformance replica Cobras. Just noting the facts.

[noblec5]

Real one,

I heard that the Daytona Coupes (spf's) are also in the registry. Is that true?

Chris

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by noblec5

Real one,

I heard that the Daytona Coupes (spf's) are also in the registry. Is that true?

Chris

You're correct.

[Jamo]

hehehehe....

[What'saCobra?]

...third star to the right and and straight on 'til morning.
Engage!

No problem. What our maestro calls a Shelby Cobra, is a Shelby Cobra. Replica, real, continuation, completion, ...whatever. But, not original. (At least, not yet, ... though i think this will come one day, also.)

Perhaps Mr. Shelby's perspective regarding the semantics of Superformance Replica is somewhat different than his older definition of Le Mans Replica. Certainly over 40 years can change one's perspective. Honestly, we do change our minds, particularly as times and business interests change.

Otherwise, should we choose to remain uninformed regarding history and current events, we would be doomed to remain marooned and child-like in our early college-brewed liberalism, ignoring the marxist mugging we are currently receiving. (Ouch!)

Plus sa change...!

[patrickt]

Of course, it's not like the name "Cobra" has been over-used over the years....

[Trevor Legate]

Ah, now we're talking.........

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Trevor Legate

Ah, now we're talking.........

Yes, the widely coveted "Ersatz Cobra." Somehow, that must have fallen on the editor's cutting room floor, huh?

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

The fact that Shelby ditched the AC bonnet tags and relabeled them without the "AC" moniker is not rewriting history unless all the books I've read on Shelby have rewritten it by uniformly noting this "fact". All the books written by American authors clearly seem to favor and give greater weight to the Shelby part of the story and refer to the car as the "Shelby" Cobra. Books authored by British writers conversely seem to favor the "AC" part of the story and almost uniformly give Shelby second billing and refer to the car as the AC Cobra.
...deleted some stuff...

Although the AC "bonnet" badges were removed, the first replacement badges said "Shelby AC Cobra". The initial advertising mentioned AC as well. Steering wheels and pedals continued to have the AC logo.

A bit more recently the few CSX1000 cars that managed to get built somehow had the "Shelby AC Cobra" badges again.

I'm sure Shelby emphasizes his name, but when it has been convenient he'll recognize the "AC" name as well.

[REAL 1]

That Mustang is a Ford Mustang Cobra. Sheesh. Come on. You can do better then that.

That is in no way to be confused with a Shelby Cobra.

That little "Cobra" name was not a bad $1.00 acquisition by Ford back in the day. Paid dividends including leasing the name back to the original owner.

If the Brock Coupe is included in the registry. I'll look at mine tonight I'm sure its because of the Brock connection and its probably clearly listed and identified as a replica in the registry.

Things do change. Nothing remains the same as Whatsacobra points out. In fact, a year or so from now we could all be addressing each other as "Comrade". All those that voted for "Change" bend over and prepare to receive your bounty!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

That Mustang is a Ford Mustang Cobra. Sheesh. Come on. You can do better then that.

That is in no way to be confused with a Shelby Cobra.

Then how do you explain this 1976 Shelby Cobra that is for sale?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1976-...31410007r13592

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Then how do you explain this 1976 Shelby Cobra that is for sale?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1976-...31410007r13592

Good stuff.

Hey, didn't one of the "Charlie's Angels" drive one of those. Kate or something?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Good stuff.

Hey, didn't one of the "Charlie's Angels" drive one of those. Kate or something?

Well c'mon, his face is right there on the ad. That's clearly a Shelby Cobra. No two ways about it.