Is it a Cobra?

duvi · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 04:26 AM

Not wishing to throw a new cat amongst the pigeons but many of you may not be aware of the situation of AC Cars in England, the manufacturer of all genuine 260, 289 and 427 chassis and bodies. The company is in administration and there are rumours that Caroll Shelby is negotiating to purchase the rights to the AC name. This would close a 25 year dispute as to who owned the rites to produce “Cobra’’ and give Shelby total control of Cobra production. This would also enable Shelby to prevent unlicensed manufacturers copying the Cobra design and use of the name. Under UK law it would enable him to pursue damages from companies and individuals that infringed copyright. Upon this hypothesis where does it leave owners of fake snakes be they Kirkham’s or less authentic cars?

Steven Cantor · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 04:49 AM

I have heard in the last month something quite different. It is my understanding that while A C is being sold, it wil be to Jim Price of Superformance! This was told to me by one of their dealers.

Steve

duvi · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 04:58 AM

Jimmy Price has closed the factory and made all the staff redundant. Alan Lubinsky owns the AC name and intellectual property of the company. Jimmy price seems to be out of the loop.

BlueRooster · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 05:22 AM

Thats because Alan Lubinsky has several loops going at the same time. He has no integrity.
Duvi, JP must be in some loop to manipulate factory workers, and to open or close a factory.

Ive said this before but, the replica market has been robust for over three decades, why would this have a negative effect, I would think the opposite. Think about it with an open mind for a second.

mrmustang · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 05:45 AM

At this point in time, I ahave to ask, WHO CARES.We do not own these cars (real or replica) because we seek a status symbol (if you do, then seek professional help), we own these cars because we love to drive them, race them, show them............Does EGO and $$$$ always have to play a roll in it?????????????????For me, I don't think so.....................

Bill S.

trularin · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 08:17 AM

I tell people that ask, "1966 cobra"

It's a "Custom"

"No, it is not a kit."

There is nothing kit about my car.

Just my $0.02

mrmustang · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 08:20 AM

trularin

No offense, but that is just sad. Call it like it is, a nice Cobra replica. Nothing more, nothing less.

Bill S.

Carroll DeWeese · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 08:30 AM

I tell me than mine is a 1965 S/C Cobra replica with modifications. My wife and I love the car. To me, it is a Cobra regardless of what others may choose to call it.

With the help of many others, I am responsible for building and continually modifying the car. Every day, it becomes more me. It is both show and go. If you do not want to call it a Cobra replica, call it an SPF. If you do not want to call it an SPF, call it a DeWeese. Call it what you what, my wife and I still love it.

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 10:35 AM

...sometimes it is just easier to say, "It's a 1966 Shebly Cobra" and let it go at that. Yeah, it bothers me, but sometimes I just don't have the time or energy to "deal with it". Like when the light turns green and somebody is hanging out of there window and drooling on my car.

Ernie

Bart Carter · #10 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 11:04 AM

My car isn't a real Cobra. But it is just the easiest, fastest way to tell someone what you have. It's convenience. Most of the people know it's not an original 1960's Cobra. I am not trying to fool anyone. It's just easier to say I have a Cobra. Cobra has really become a generic name to identify all our cars. It is really the best way to describe your car. You can subclass it after that if warranted.

trularin · #11 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 12:17 PM

Drool gets sticky after it sets for a while.

It's not sad, there are a lot of people that think you got your airplane glue out one weekend and put this "kit" together.

Bill, none taken.

Damn, I was listening to someone tell how they got their "kit" and had it done in two days. After several questions, it really wasn't his kit, it was his brother's friends cousins by way of their third uncles friend's kit. And, they purchased a roller minus engine and trans. But that didn't stop him from putting my car in the same class as his.

I agree with Ernie - keep the drool off.

DKing · #12 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 02:33 PM

These cars are Cobras much like you would refer to a fiberglass '34 Ford hot rod as a "'34 Ford". Nothing wrong with that.

That being said, my (retired) attorney father-in-law represented a guy (and won!) years ago who had purchased what he was told was a "Shelby Cobra." It turned out that the car was actually an original AC that had been "Shelby-ized" with Shelby American emblems. The seller lost the lawsuit, and the buyer got some of his money back from the purchase. Caveat emptor! Check the numbers; check the registry!

Hhhmmm, by the way, don't you think that tying a date to the name (such as saying, "It's a 1966 Shelby Cobra") somewhat misrepresents the car as an original Shelby Cobra, when the car is not from that era and also was not manufactured by Shelby American? Little wonder Shelby occasionally gets peeved...

To the curious onlooker, it's a "Cobra". To the serious inquisitor, it's a "[insert brand here] Cobra replica." This is especially helpful on Ebay and in classified ads, but is good for the manufacturer as well. If you love your car, get that manufacturer's name out there!

There are a number of Cobra replica brands (such as Kirkham, ERA, Superformance, or Unique...) that I would proudly associate with any drool-worthy car I was driving.

snake oil · #13 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 02:36 PM

If you are talking to someone from a club or show etc.,
In other words a car guy that has some geuine interest then I would take the time to say it's a replicaand talk a little about it.

If your cruising around and someone off the street hollers out
HEY WHAT IS THAT THING????
It's a lot easier to just say cobra.

What's the difference between KLEENEX and tissue?

To most people same thing.
BUT I'm sure Kleenex wouldn't agree!

SPEEDEAMON · #14 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 04:39 PM

Going back to the original post, I talked with John T. Luft, President of Carroll Shelby Licensing at the press conference for Carroll Shelby, Life in the Fast Lane Exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Musem last Friday. He confirmed that Carroll Shelby is now officially involved with AC Cars with Alan Lubinsky of Malta and Ford, to once again produce a Shelby Cobra. The first of the series will be a 2005 model. Whether this will include the current cars or if it will be something completely new was TBD.

Shin

casaleenie · #15 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrmustang

At this point in time, I ahave to ask, WHO CARES.We do not own these cars (real or replica) because we seek a status symbol (if you do, then seek professional help), we own these cars because we love to drive them, race them, show them............Does EGO and $$$$ always have to play a roll in it?????????????????For me, I don't think so.....................

Bill S.

Bill S...

You're correct... WHO THE FLOCK CARES....
This is frickin borderline ridiculous...