[TXBLU]

It sems that everyone aggrees that the Cobra is such a beautiful machine, on several levels, that it has that elusive universal appeal no other car can quite match. '32 Ford replicas, and indeed original '32s, are quite popular, but it seems they appeal mostly to an older crowd. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm just not of the generation that has fond memories of those cars. Personally, the fact that most of them have primitive suspensions and Chevrolet engines makes them not very desirable to me. I like Chevys, but I like a Ford to be a Ford, and a Chevy to be a Chevy. An FFR '33 Hot Rod is the only car of that type that holds any interest for me, but it would have to have a Ford engine in it.

As far as GT40s, I like them very much, espescially because of their racing history at Le Mans, but most folks on the the street don't know what they are. Still, I'd love to have one, even if it's a replica. The "bundle of snakes" exhaust is one of the most iconic features I've ever seen on a car. Kinda reminds me of the Gurney Eagle with the Westlake V-12, another supremely iconic racing car.

The Porsche 356 and 550 speedsters are some very cool cars that appeal to lots of folks, but are too often considered to be a "cute" car, and don't evoke the kind of emotionional reaction that Cobra replicas do, but are still very neat cars. I espescially like the Beck 550 Spyder, and their 904 replicas are way cool, but I doubt most folks (outside of Porsche fan circles) have any idea what they are.

Everything else just seems to pale in comparison the the AC Cobra. It's raw, powerful, and dangerous. You don't even have to know what it is to see that. Anyone can tell that it's a car that commands respect. I think women like them so much because they convey that sense of power and danger, yet are so beautiful in their lines and proportions. That, and perhaps they see them as competition for a man's affection, like they do with other beautiful women. And women LOVE to compete against other women.

Anyway, all philosophic musings aside, nothing compares to the Cobra for pure visceral, emotional appeal. It's a classic beauty, just like so many beautifull, iconic women. Everyone likes beauty, but not everyone can handle or afford it!!!

Eric