Looking for Authenticity How far to go?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by LMH

After all these years, I do understand your post! Don't get me wrong, love aluminum but...
Does your car have tube steel suspension and Koni coilovers? Girling calipers and solid disc rotors? Slip joint axles? Cam Gears steering rack?
If it doesn't, what's the point?

Larry

The point? I’m NOT an “originalist replica” owner. Never will be. You are. I’m a hot rodder with a beautiful bodacious body.

I wanted VERY light and powerful. And I wanted the best manufacturer IMO. All that other stuff would just weight me down. Unwanted “body fat” as it were.

I have no AC ID plates and no Cobra badges. The only identification or badges that I have on my Cobra say Kirkham.

[LMH]

So David, there's your answer about how far to go with authenticity. It really comes down to what you want and what's important to you. I picked on RodKnock some knowing he'd stick to his guns on what was and what wasn't important to him. Replicas replicate in varying degrees and in different aspects, depending on what's important to it's owner. It all comes down to what you want.
Larry

[Chicagowil]

I used to be involved with Porsches. The question you raise as to "what's too far" was a common issue with purists. It got to the point that if you did not have the right tires on a daily driver- some owners would look down on you! I would remind them that Dr Porsche was one of the original "hot rodders". The same is true of Shelby. Even ars varied from car to car as to what was available from his suppliers and what would work better from experience. Shelby would have not used the 260 if the 289 had been available. The same way he swapped 427s and 428s. It was always about performance, cost and availability of components.

If you like a specific car and its exact features- copy what you like and substitute better components where it does not matter to you that its not exactly the same.

I am in fact finishing a CR1 which is not even close to the original for size. But at 6'2" and 220 lbs, an original is too tight a fit to be comfortable. I remember not fitting in my first ride in an original as a teen, much less now in my 60's with an artificial hip! But I am still in love with the overall lines. And I can now fit rather then just admire from the curb.

To sum up- there is no "bad choices".

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Chicagowil

I used to be involved with Porsches.

I’m still involved with Porsches. Porsche purists are a whole different level of crazy. What I paid for an original radio not too long ago...Oy!

[LMH]

I was in the PCA for 15 years with a concours 911. Maybe that's where I got it!
Larry

[xb-60]

PCA? I'm still involved with Porsches, but only in my dreams....
OK, have been a member of the Alfa club in Australia for 25 years, but never entered an AROCA concours (I think they'd kick me out!)....and even though my car has a lot of period-correct mods, none of them are 'Alfa concours correct'...but I'm OK with that

Cheers!
Glen

[CompClassics]

There are obviously different paths that you can choose for your build, you need to decide what path is right for you.
When I decided to go down my path I decided that I wanted the experience that represented what an original Cobra provided, in performance, in appearance, in ergonomics etc. I wanted to faithfully reproduce what the original Cobra was / is.

[RodKnock]

Yes, David, it's up to you and your bank account.

But it's also how delusional you are to think that a 5-bolt scattershield, date coded blocks, BW T-10s, Smith gauges, headlights, proper paint color, a correct luggage rack and Lucas wiring harness makes your replica Cobra experience any different than the rest of replica Cobra owners, whether CSX, ERA, SPF, BDR, Unique, FFR or KMP.

So how delusional are you?

[patrickt]

If you want the experience of driving an original CSX3xxx car, just disconnect your fan, so your car overheats in around-town driving, wiggle your ignition wires loose, so it's touch and go whether you can even start or not, and be sure to remove all insulation so your feet, legs, and everything else is either burned to a crisp from the pipes, or freezing from the outside weather, depending.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

If you want the experience of driving an original CSX3xxx car, just disconnect your fan, so your car overheats in around-town driving, wiggle your ignition wires loose, so it's touch and go whether you can even start or not, and be sure to remove all insulation so your feet, legs, and everything else is either burned to a crisp from the pipes, or freezing from the outside weather, depending.

And don't forget those original 1960's tires too, that'll "cement" (wall) your faithful Cobra driving experience.

[LMH]

Don’t forget about the leaking oil on an FE!
Larry

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by LMH

Don’t forget about the leaking oil on an FE!
Larry

My FE doesn't "faithfully" reproduce that aspect of the original 427 Cobra.

I thought about painting "Goodyear" on my new Avon tires, but then I decided I have an actual life and used that extra time in the gym.

I also looked around for some original 1960's air for my tires, but I couldn't find any on eBay or Craigslist.

[CompClassics]

i guess you would have to also wonder why you would want to drive around a car that looked like a Cobra but wasn't.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by CompClassics

i guess you would have to also wonder why you would want to drive around a car that looked like a Cobra but wasn't.

I drive a Kirkham. Any resemblance to another car is purely a coincidence and accidental.

But I like the shape. And with around 600 HP and 2,100 lbs, it scoots pretty well.

[jolsen42]

You know Rod, may I call you Rod. For years you've been semi ridiculing and telling everyone how foolish they are for trying to replicate an original Cobra.

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Yes, David, it's up to you and your bank account.

But it's also how delusional you are to think that a 5-bolt scattershield, date coded blocks, BW T-10s, Smith gauges, headlights, proper paint color, a correct luggage rack and Lucas wiring harness makes your replica Cobra experience any different than the rest of replica Cobra owners, whether CSX, ERA, SPF, BDR, Unique, FFR or KMP.

So how delusional are you?

But for some of us that's the fun. I never built my cars as an investment. Delusional? Not at all. I built them because I liked building them and make them as close to an original as with what I have to work with.

I've had a love affair with them since they were first introduced. I couldn't afford one then and I certainly can't now. That's why I build replicas.

John O

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by jolsen42

You know Rod, may I call you Rod. For years you've been semi ridiculing and telling everyone how foolish they are for trying to replicate an original Cobra.



But for some of us that's the fun. I never built my cars as an investment. Delusional? Not at all. I built them because I liked building them and make them as close to an original as with what I have to work with.

I've had a love affair with them since they were first introduced. I couldn't afford one then and I certainly can't now. That's why I build replicas.

John O

John, just don't call me Shirley. It's a free country, you build and drive what makes you happy.

But what I've noticed among the "originalist replica" owners, not necessarily here on CC, is that they convey an air of superiority, because their replica is a "faithful" reproduction of the original Cobra. I find that behavior delusional. They "humble brag" about their replicas.

I've pointed out in this thread to the OP that beyond Larry and a few others in this world of 7 Billion, no one knows what a Cobra is and even if they know what a Cobra is, they have no clue that your Cobra replica is any more or less "authentic" than my Cobra replica. Also, I pointed out, the ROI of "originalism" isn't good. There's a "law of diminishing returns." Personally, I think about resale, since I doubt I'll own my Cobra forever.

I've had a love affair with the Cobra, GT40's, Tigers and Shelby Mustang's, since I was a little kid. But installing a 5-bolt scattershield, date-coded blocks, BW T-10's, Smith gauges and Lucas wiring doesn't make your replica any better than the person who buys a replica, like an SPF or BDR for example, who just likes the shape and wants a cool car to drive.

As I said, if your build makes you happy, then that's wonderful.

[Mark IV]

I have several canisters of 1964 California air, Los Angeles sourced with the correct amount of smog for the pre CARB days.

Offers?

[CompClassics]

I have never seen someone spew so much BS as "RodKnock", I'll call it "CSX envy". The guy goes out and buys one of the more expensive reproductions because why?! He already admits that he has been drawn to Cobras and GT40s since he was a kid, now he says it's because of the shape?! Why do you brag that you have a "Shelby" engine block?! Why didn't you buy one of the other makes of engine blocks?! The guy wants to bash anyone and everyone that is interested in real Cobras or the details of a real Cobras that they might want to incorporate into their own builds. Every time someone brings the subject up he's on top of them like everyone has to believe or do as he does, this is an individuals hobby and for some a business. Your talking about "ROI", your in the wrong hobby!

RodKnock, your quote....

"As I said, if your build makes you happy, then that's wonderful."

Why don't you quit hassling people and let them do as they like, just because you didn't doesn't mean they shouldn't!
By the way someone that has over 9000 post needs to spend more time at the gym and less on the keyboard!

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by CompClassics

...By the way someone that has over 9000 post needs to spend more time at the gym and less on the keyboard!

Oh, no.
Now you did it.
You had to mention gym (or fitness or health) to Rodknock?!?!
God help us.

[Dumpling]

REAL1 doppelganger?
Evan? Is that you?