What Is The Future of The Cobra Replica Industry?

[Buzz]

I don't think anyone (not me anyway) is trying to say that EV's are "better" than Cobras, particularly as measured by the criteria that drew most of us to Cobras in the first place. The looks, the sound and the raw, elemental nature put the Cobra in a class of its own, period. In terms of attention grabbing - that's something I really don't care about - but it's also true. That attention is not always positive though, depending on the audience or where you live. I remember one new Cobra owner here on CC recounting his dismay when he drove slowly by a big group of people at some lakeside event and was greeted with derisive comments and a bunch of kids running alongside and behind him shouting "kit car, kit car" - no doubt egged on by the adults. Not the sort of attention he was hoping for.

Originally Posted by eschaider

The other noticeable difference is the fit, finish, and plushness (is that a word?) of creature comforts in the passenger cabin provided with the gasoline-fueled alternatives, Cobra's obviously not inculded. The gas-fueled manufacturers have got that set of attributes well thought out.

Your comments carry weight because you have hands-on familiarity with both Cobras and Teslas, but I have to reiterate my point earlier that the Tesla is an infant in the market compared to its competition in the luxury car segment and the fact that its even in the ballpark is admirable. The other thing is that those same giants dominating the segment - Mercedes/AMG , BMW, Audi, Cadillac, etc. - will all release electric versions of their flagship luxury performance models and I doubt that they'll pale in fit/finish, quality or panache compared to their IC fueled siblings.They will make less noise though.

Cobras and luxury EV sedans and SUV's are so completely different in execution and intended purpose that comparing them against each other is just silly. Only someone who bought their Cobra solely to be the quickest stoplight to stoplight warrior in town - and those folks are out there - would trade in a Cobra for a Tesla but poo-pooing EV's as crap because the driving experience is different comes across as petty, weak and fearful of change.

They're coming like it or not and sometime soon, some seriously fast and yes - exciting - electric cars will be scorching the asphalt with unprecedented levels of performance and capability. C8 Corvette E-Rays are running around in camo wraps already and some manufacturer will inevitably unleash a stripped-down, all-out performance-focused EV that might try to become the Cobra equivalent of modern cars. Will it shake and rumble, stink of gas and make you shyte your pants at speed with manual controls and scary brakes and handling dynamics? Not likely - but I personally can't wait to see something like that hit the streets.

Back to the future of the Cobra replica industry - I still think because Cobras remain so outright and in-your-face different from the the humming, whooshing relative sterility of EV's; they'll become even more iconic of what many will consider the golden age of automobilia and partly because of that, the industry will survive. The hobby may shrink and become even more of a niche pastime but I don't think Cobra replicas or people who'll buy them will be going away anytime soon.