Best response to, "Is that an original?"

[JWilly]

If I am driving my CSX 6000 series Cobra, and I get the "Is it real?" question, I like to say "It is a real Shelby American replica of an original Cobra" I often get very confused looks from them...

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by JWilly

If I am driving my CSX 6000 series Cobra, and I get the "Is it real?" question, I like to say "It is a real Shelby American replica of an original Cobra" I often get very confused looks from them...

Virtually everyone who asks the question doesn't care about the answer. They are classic "does in the headlights" or "dazed and confused". For my CSX it was the same answer.

[StreetSnake]

Originally Posted by Tony Ripepi

Another Way...

After the comment about it being a replica, if the person asking has a young boy ( 8-12) with them, I'll ask the kid if he wants to get in, after he is in the drivers seat, I'll point out the little pad on the gas pedal and ask him if he can reach it, I will then start it up and let the kid rev it up.........I figure it makes for Cobra fan in the next generation.

A video of me doing this showed up on You Tube several months ago......the "now" generation has its own twists, I had no idea it was being recorded. I love the look in their eyes with the side pipes screaming beside them and how they have to duck their entire body below the cowl and inside the foot box to push on the gas.

TR

Finally decided to read through this thread. I let my 3 year old do this (above) and I about shi*t myself. He slid under the dash and mashed it down. 0-7500 rpm instantly. Didn't like it, had to show him how to flutter it a bit.

[greg keller]

Vicki always replies, "It's real to us." Seems to work.

[Thor maine]

Originally Posted by jhv48

Too many of you guys are hung up on this:

If it wasn't built, assembled, cobbled together (pick one) in the 60's in Carroll Shelby's shop, it ain't a real, original Shelby Cobra. PERIOD!

Yours may be newer, have a better frame, better suspension, be prettier, faster, handle better, more comfortable, more reliable, etc. etc. BUT IT ISN'T A REAL/ORIGINAL COBRA. Never was, never will be!

We're all driving clones, replicas, kit cars, fakes. No matter how you spin it, they're not a 1960's Cobra.

That's all a spectator wants to know. Is he in the presence of an original or not. Tell it like it is and move on! The fact that so many of you get all huffy when asked just shows that you are all wannabes, trying to live vicariously on the coat tails of the original car. And then you get all indignant when forced to admit you drive a kit car. Buy an original and then you can react with indignation when asked. Till then, you're driving a copy cat. Get over it!

But then, that's just my opinion. What do I know. I drive a fake!

Yes Yes Yes!!! This is what I have been saying here , unless it was built in the 60's by AC-SHELBY-FORD its not an original period!! Cars from Shelby American there is A little gray area but very little. So those of us with kit's/replicas it will never be an original no matter that you put a 60's Ford FE or that you matched the exact number of rivets around the hood scoop or you have the batteries behind the seat or that you stencil Good Year on the tires! So the answer is always "it's a replica and I built it myself"

[Fitz]

What they said

[Silversmith]

Alot depends on who's asking! When most people ask the question "it is real" ? I usually say; it's a original "427 sideoiler"! This seems to shut down most naysayers to just whispering to there buds as they peer into the engine bay. As 99% of the population couldn't tell the differance between a 3000 series CSX & a (in my case) factory built ERA S/C sitting side by side. For those who know AC's, I gladly tell them it's a factory built replica; and almost always enjoy the ensuing conversation. In truth there are less than a 1000 original Shelby AC Cobras. All the rest are in fact. 1. factory built exacting replicas to the original; providing original style factory specs/parts were used . I say exacting as no two of the originals were built the same! 2. factory built clones whick mimic the original in most respects, with the exception of (sbf's in bb ac's) drivetrains. 3. factory partial built & supplied kits & the customer completes the kit 4. complete kits where the customer adds the drive train & finishes the kit. 5. Donor kits where customer takes parts from other existing auto's & completes the kit. No matter what number listed above your AC falls into. Almost all of these AC's were built with the same dedication to true performance cars that Carrol gave us so long ago! Enjoy your AC COBRA M8's It may not be 1 of the original 1000 Shelby AC's But that doesn't mean it's not every bit the equal of the original, or mabe even better. Long live the [AC COBRA

[tirod]

I have no problem with it being an original, or a kit. It is exactly what it is. If you have an original, good investment. They are valued highly exactly because they are original. If it's a kit, I would say so. Shelby's were kits, too. Good company.

Just because it's an original does not make it intrinsically better, however. It's just a snapshot of automotive science at the time. The next generation of GT cars broke almost every record Shelby posted. That was the GT40, something Shelby headed up and did well with. He walked away from the roadsters because even he could see the writing on the wall. SA closed after selling the last 427 (oops, 428) Cobra.

The price bubble from the debt ridden Boomer generation will finally subside, history will take a long view, and the rough Roadsters that couldn't sell themselves off the lot with sidepipes and rollbars will have a place in history regardless of the chest thumping from their current owners.

Ok, fine, it's an original. And likely it's never left parked at the Mall with no comp or collision insurance, either. I can do that with a kit. I won't mind at all, knowing my "place." I can use it any way I want, without velvet ropes or golf course under the wheels, and look forward to seeing some door dings on it parked at work.

It's just a car, I'll count my blessings it's not "real." That's the answer: "Oh gosh, no, I park this one at work."

[FWB]

i just say its not even a cobra......that really gets em'

[snakebiteforu]

Once, I was asked how many MPG to I get ????????

[fjrgary]

when asked about gas milage i just smile and say "who cares" ? that usually ends that subject!

[Scotchman]

What Fitz said, no more , no less.

[BAsque1]

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

You ARE joking right?



QUOTE=BAsque1;1208198]Jaydee:
I have a nice sign that I hang on my roll bar and reads as follows:
Beware of getting toO close the sidepipes are extremey hot and cause snakebites. If you have any metal and contacts the car you will be zapped by an electric alarm which will put 50,000 volts much like a tEaser through your body. If you touch the surface the wax I use has a skin penetrating substance that will cause a terrible rash ALL OVER YOUR BODY!!!! LOOK ALL YOU WANT, TAKE ALL THE PICTURES AND VIDEOS YOU WANT- BUT HAVE THE COURTESY OF NOT TOUCHING. BY THE WAY YOU ARE BEING RECORDED IN CASE YOU SCRATCH IT WE WILL FIND YOU!!!! Any questions?

It grabs their attention and conveys the message abundantly clear.
Lou

[/quote]
Nope I do have that sign, its funny to see the look on their faces

[poboy427]

I usually tell them my Supeformance S/C is a factory built replicar out of South Africa and I spec'd the engine.

If I get a smartass trying to impress his buddies with his question "is that real"?, I respond with "well it's not a mirage".

[JBCOBRA]

When get the question i simply say with a smile:
"I can't afford an original"
Short and sweet

[bret a ewing]

No.

[Livnn]

Yes. a real blast to drive.

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by bret a ewing

No.

The end!!!!

[Danr55]

It's a 1952 Corvette.. Usually gets a funny look or two.

[Mike Brasfield]

Mine is a hand crafted replica of the original Shelby AC Cobra from Factory Five Racing. Facts are facts. It's not an "original" as most people question. I am proud it so replicates the "original" that most people can't tell the difference. I never make a smart remark as it is an honest question.