Were you considering any other cars when cobra shopping/building?

[pliot_guy]

When you were shopping for your cobra or before you decided to build your cobra, we're you thinking of spending that money on something else? Perhaps a different car maybe?

I for one was think about a few different options before I finally decided on the cobra:

1. 66 chevelle / perhaps a Porsche
2. Some sort of investments/stocks

Anyone else care to share?

[Steve Cassani]

Beck 904 -- The Ultimate Replica

I'm told these cars handle second to none and they tend to be light in the front at speeds greater than 120 mph; a sure recipe for fun and you won't see yourself coming and going.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by pliot_guy

When you were shopping for your cobra or before you decided to build your cobra, we're you thinking of spending that money on something else? Perhaps a different car maybe?

No. I wanted a Cobra all my life.

[Dimis]

I wanted a cobra... but when our local overbearing authorities pretty much outlawed anything resembling a cobra with all the design rules, I found myself flirting with a GT40... but still couldn't do it.
It lacked that, that, oh hell... it just wasn't a Cobra.
So I came back to ye ole faithful.

[SunDude]

For a brief moment, I considered buying a Lotus Elise with the money I'd saved for the Cobra. To misquote Woody Allen, I figured driving an Elise would be the most fun I could have with my clothes on.

But then I reminded myself that owning a Cobra -- not an Elise -- has always been my life's dream. So I bought a Cobra as originally planned.

[jualwatt]

I was looking at a new Shelby GT500 convertible when my wife said "are you sure that is what you really want?". Somewhere in the back of my brain I had dismissed the possibility of owning a Cobra (which I have always wanted). So after thinking about it, I went for the Cobra with no regrets or second thoughts.

[dcdoug]

Always a Cobra.

Edit: Specifically a 427 Cobra.

[Cobrakeith]

No, I always wanted a 289 FIA style Cobra. I had been looking for a looooong time before I found my ERA.

[kevins2]

I saw a Cobra replica in a parking lot and looked it over...fell in love. Then the rationalization began:

1) Rationalization: My wife will like it better than riding on the back of my Harley. Reality: Who knows? She gets motion sickness in cars so hoping that the open air/sound, etc. will keep that at bay, but unknown.
2) Rationalization: My son loves cars and this is a project we can do together. Reality: He's in college and isn't around very much.
3) Rationalization: When my daughter goes away to college next year, cruising around in the Cobra will be something my wife and I can do together to ease the "empty nest" syndrome. Reality: See #1.
4) Rationalization: I need a new hobby. Reality: OK, so this one's true - I've lost interest in the Harley since becoming obsessed with Cobra replicas.

Bottom line is that I just want one. It has provided some immediate benefit. I'm finishing multiple projects around the house knowing that once the kit gets here I'd never do them...wife is happy about that, so off to a good start.

[YerDugliness]

Like the others, I have had a lifetime dream of owning a Cobra.

However, the first car I fell in love with was the '64 Ford Fairlane, I would gladly have spent the $$ on a K-Code '64 Fairlane Sports coupe, or (dream on, Doug) a Thunderbolt!

Others that were in the pool were, of course, the GT40 (still my ultimate dream car!) and a Porsche 550 Spyder replica (my daughter's favorite car).

Cheers!

Dugly

[flaflier]

Rode in an original when I was 10 or 11, wanted one from that day on... finally got one!

Jim

[Jaydee]

It has to be one of the horniest looking car on the planet. Power to match the looks. Always dreamed and looked for one. I finally bought a half finished one. I didn't think I had the patience to start from scratch. It has taken me 20 years to build a hovercraft. It's definitely more exciting to have built something yourself. I just can't wait to finish it.
Years ago I entered a competition to win a Cobra. I put in 1500 entries.
JD

[twobjshelbys]

I'd wanted a Cobra since the late 60's. Id seen the pictures of them earlier than that and then I heard Cosby's routine.

I'd been looking for a toy, and the choice came to a Shelby Cobra or a 2005/2006/ Ford GT. I found a Cobra I liked but my wife hated it, so I went to the Ford GT.

[Jamo]

I actually tried not to get a Cobra. Sorry if you've heard this before, but it's been awhile and some haven't.

Dick Smith was a contract pilot for one of my ag clients and used to fly me around the state from the late 70s and into the mid-90s to deal with labor disputes...sometimes 2-3 times a month, 2-4 hour flights sitting in the co-pilot seat next to him. On and on he'd go about freeking Cobras...I grew up a Chevy man, so we'd argue about Vettes vs Cobras until we'd land in somewhere like Blythe, then I'd go screw with a union for a few hours and come back to the airport and we'd fly home taking up the arguments right where we'd left off. I never changed his mind.

I campaigned a 92 Vette through most of the 90s in Solo and ProSolo. We had sort of an unlimited class in the SFR Region called OSP (Open Street Prepared)...where stuff like Chevy powered 240Zs and other purpose-built autocross dogs lived. RX-7s were killing Vettes in the SS class so I went hunting for something unique for OSP and came across a Butler Cobra at the short-lived Casa de Cars next to the gas station at Casa de Fruita in Pacheco Pass on my way home from doing some work in Salinas, which was amazingly even more mucho muy goodo than normal Cobras for autocrossing because the engine was set back so much further...did very well with that mount in competition and for everything else we do with these things.

Before I decided on the Kirkham, I was looking at Vipers, the Series 1 (yes, I admit it), Panteras...and then I went to Provo.

Dick never let me live down the fact that I had finally been bitten by the snake so late in life. Damn him for leaving.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

.....Years ago I entered a competition to win a Cobra. I put in 1500 entries.
JD

Jaydee - 1500 entrees? That just about qualifies you as a legend mate! It also says what a pull these cars have.
Cheers,
Glen

[Jaydee]

Thanks xb.
It was run through Ampol where the business I worked for,use to get fuel, and they would give me a whole pad of entries. I made up a stamp, and stamped pad after pad. I wanted this car. Then one of the reps asked about me at the servo. So I think they disquilified me. Basterds. Isn't it better that someone who really is determined to want one, gets it, then some little old lady, who doesn't need it. Also, It never said, one entry per person. I learned the idea from a small shopping mall competition, where this 10 year old, won 1st 3rd and 4th price. I talked to them later, and he had over 60% of the entries.
I know some people will think I cheated. I call it determination.
JD

[pliot_guy]

Great stories guys. For me, as soon as I found out that a cobra was in my budget, that's what I wanted !

[STL Mark]

I was a C5 Vette owner, and was in the market for a C6 Z06 when they first came out. Then I happened through Ross, Ohio on business and decided to stop in at Dynamic Motorsports for a test drive of a Superformance Cobra. That was all it took. I looked at their used inventory first, and found the prices to be reasonable, and considered a purchase. Then a brand new car came in from it's first test drive, and my knees got weak. On the 6 hour drive home all I could think about was the options I would order with my NEW Cobra. Within a few months, I placed my order and Dynamic took my C5 on trade. I miss the C5. It was an excellent car. But the Cobra to this day, just takes my breath away.

[cobrarob]

I'd wanted a Cobra since the late 60's. Id seen the pictures of them earlier than that and then I heard Cosby's routine.

I'd been looking for a toy, and the choice came to a Shelby Cobra or a 2005/2006/ Ford GT. I found a Cobra I liked but my wife hated it, so I went to the Ford GT.

I was also torn between the decision to buy a cobra or a FORD GT so I bought both , my wife doesnt care for the cobra but I could not go through life without owning one

The open air and the rumble of my SPF far exceeds the experiences I get from driving any other car

[289fia_cobra]

Well, in 98', I was bit by the snake and I was turning 40 ... no coincidence here... but had to wait another 8 years before my obsession for the Cobra was fulfilled.

But around 2003, I muttered to my wife that I would rather build mine than buy a roller, but if I turn 50 by that time, then I'll buy the roller or maybe lose interest and thought of buying an BMW Z3 or a Porsche Boxster. Well, she HATES BMW drivers for some reason, and having dated me when I had my 65' Mustang w/289, she probably thought the Boxster's small displacement wouldn't satisfy me. So she gave me the green light for the FFR I now have. The only other point where I stalled was looking into the FFR Daytona replica, but in my heart I always wanted a topless car. SNKVNNM has been a hoot for the last 6 years!