Whether you build it yourself, or buy a roller and have it finished by a third party, the vast availability of parts and resources make these cars everything, but exotic. You cannot say the same of a '62 GTO... not in a million years! The few serious replicas of a GTO or a 500TR are still around a cool $1M. And these use an ORIGINAL Ferrari drivetrain from a donor such as a 250 GTE or a 330. So $35M, although still stupid money, even for billionaires, makes a hell of a lot more sense in that market than $750K to 1.5M for a car that has been replicated over and over, and that sometimes may be indistinguishable from those $50K replicas. What is so exotic about an original Cobra (unless it is one of the 6 coupes or FIA roadsters)? It is not in its parts and labor, that is for sure. It is the Mystique, the Shelby mystique. And the fact that 900 were built. to some that rarity in numbers is enough to pay a cool Mil. It's their money, but it doesn't mean it makes sense. I am not going to get into the collectibility of a Ferrari vs. a Cobra. I did not write the rules of that game.
Which leads me to remind ourselves: what you paid for your replica is not necessarily what it is worth. I too paid a large amount of dough to get my NOS '68 427 FE Side oiler iron block engine. However, if I had the knowledge and skills, I know I could have built it for half the money. Likewise, if I had been a metallurgist with awesome bending skills, and a perfect welding ability, I could have finished an aluminum body for much less that $50K. But guess what I am neither, and so it goes that I overpaid for the car. Third parties (dealers, builders, suppliers) are here to help us achieve our goals and they are trying to make a living, which is absolutely fine! That is why I overpay for an otherwise cheap/easy/uncomplicated car to build.
And the Mystique comment? Well another subjective matter. That comment was simply my opinion, and it is not to be considered by anyone a cannon of Shelby matters. I leave that to the Gurus here. Certainly not made to hurt anybody's feelings. And why would it insult or hurt anyone? It is personal, and varies from person to person (and from car to car). I only stated what made me go for "overpaying" for a glass CSX car. I stand by my comment. You guys have said it: all these cars can look the same!! Therefore, If it is not even vaguely and loosely associated with Shelby, it does not carry the mystique. In my case, the CSX number stamped on the chassis, and that questionable MSO make the car closer to a Shelby of the past than any other build, unless someday another party can stamp the number and carry the MSO. UNTIL then, my car is a SHELBY and the others are not. Very simple, really, and it should not "insult" anyone.
In summary, life is short, and don't just assume that the forum here is to insult or ridicule, or offend anyone. What would be the fruits of that? If an opinion bothers you, read a second time, and perhaps you will find another meaning that was not there in the first place. If it still bothers you, and it means so much to you, then discuss it. But don't label the source as insulting, or offending, or whatever. I personally do not gain or lose anything with my comments expressed here. This taught me it is probable best to shut up,and keep it to myself.
BTW was drive today was awesome: absolutely clear skies, with a huge, bright sun and 68 degrees... drove around town forever. The reason I overpaid for that CSX...
Hector