How to deal with questions/comments where the answer is....well....you know... - Page 2

SKINNEDR · #1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 11:01 AM

A year ago at a cruise in, a guy came over and was admiring the car and all he could say was this..." YOU HAVE TO BE SELLING DRUGS TO AFFORD THAT CAR"..., AND HE WALKED AWAY..
Dex...

Paul F · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 07:43 PM

I agree Buzz.

I see from these responses, that most kit-car owners feel the need to not answer a simple question directly.

Is it real? Answer; No, it's a kit-car. Simple.

Oh, I get it. While Evan is a piss-ant for claiming his Shelby Cobra is real, everyone else here is frustrated when someone asks if their car is real and have to come up with some enhanced explanation of what they own.

Me thinks most are actually on the same page as Evan.

patrickt · #3 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul F

Me thinks most are actually on the same page as Evan.

Naaahhh, I have a nice cardboard sign that goes in my windshield at car shows that clearly and plainly identifies my car as an ERA roadster and that the only part in the car that was not built in this century is the block itself. But, I still get the question... actually, I get more comments like "This is a real one, isn't it?" to which I always answer "No, it's not."

Argess · #4 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul F

I agree Buzz.

I see from these responses, that most kit-car owners feel the need to not answer a simple question directly.

Is it real? Answer; No, it's a kit-car. Simple.

Oh, I get it. While Evan is a piss-ant for claiming his Shelby Cobra is real, everyone else here is frustrated when someone asks if their car is real and have to come up with some enhanced explanation of what they own.

Me thinks most are actually on the same page as Evan.

I dissagree completely with you. If someone asks "Is it original?", I have no problem with stating "No, it's not original, it's a kit car" or something to that effect.

The problem lies with the word "real". If it's not real, then the implication is it's fake. And if it's a fake, then as with most fakes, it's assumed to be junk, worthless, etc. Like costume jewellry.

The whole question "Is it real?" implies that if it is not an original, then it must be to a large extent, sub-standard. I am certain that there are many replicas that perform better than an original, so you should be able to see why the "Is it real" question can be a bit irritating and prompt a rude response. I made this post to inquire about "polite" responses.

**************************

On the Evan post, ....I've said it before, and I'll say it again: "I'm sure Evan is just as proud of his car as I am of mine". But without a doubt, some of the reasons will be different between us.

The reason I say "we could be friends" is because, everything else aside, we all have a common interest, and it's this car. Once past who owns what, detailed conversation about various aspects of the vehicles would presumeably be informative and enjoyable. Which is what goes on in the majority of the posts in this site.

Where we fail, is it's all too easy to type snot-grams to each other from behind a computer screen.

It's not Cobra ownership, or the type of Cobra owned, that makes one person rise above another...it's plain old fashioned manners. And that begins with respect.

hmpfh....I've rambled on...guess it's OK...I started this thread.

4pipes · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 08:45 PM

Nice reply from someone from Pleasantville.

I simply say my Kirkham is a synthetic. Works better than original but not dino.

*13* · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 08:50 PM

You mean to tell me that some here are going to have their feelings hurt if someone on the street thinks their cobra is fake?

Mine is a fake, in case you haven't figured it out yet

Paul F · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 08:54 PM

Argess,

You've proved my point.

The person asking the question "Is it real" is asking "Is your car a 1960's Shelby Cobra?"

Like Evan, you interpret 'real' as something other than that. It doesn't matter what you think the word means. It matters what is being asked and the answer to the question "Is your car an original 1960's Shelby Cobra?" should be no, without further embellishment to make you feel better because you felt insulted by them insinuating your car is inferior.

It's the same thing if they ask if it is a kit car. Many here feel insulted, because they don't feel their car is a kit-car. The answer is yes, because the question they are really asking is not if it is a quality replica, but rather " that's not an original 1960s Shelby Cobra is it?"

trularin · #8 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 12:31 PM

Is it real?

"What?"

The car

"What car?"

That car.

"What?"

If that doesn't get rid of them, I am tempted to drool. My wife gets mad at me when I do the whole "what" thingie.

MaSnaka · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 12:27 PM

If it walks like a duck, quakes like a duck then it must be real, not!

I never hesitate to say it's a replica of a '65 Cobra. I am not ashamed to say that it is not "real".

If you see 30 cobras parked side by side, there mightbe an actual '65 in
there but good luck picking it out.

I agree there is no reason to be rude if someone asks a stupid question, only if they let their dog pee on your tires, then it's ok.

John

SKINNEDR · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaSnaka

If it walks like a duck, quakes like a duck then it must be real, not!

I never hesitate to say it's a replica of a '65 Cobra. I am not ashamed to say that it is not "real".

If you see 30 cobras parked side by side, there mightbe an actual '65 in
there but good luck picking it out.

I agree there is no reason to be rude if someone asks a stupid question, only if they let their dog pee on your tires, then it's ok.

John

Did you ever had a DOG pee on your tires?
Hope that never happen to me with the owner around...

caropepe · #11 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Q1/ Is it real?

I like answering the question with a good-natured question in return:

"Heh, heh....you mean is it one of the 1000 (or so) originals?"

If the response is along the lines of, "yeah....I guess so".

Then it's real easy to answer back with something like, "I wish, but did you see what that one sold for at Barrett-Jackson?".

Seems like a conversation comprised only of close-ended questions, and associated yes/no responses, encourages too much (and often invalid) interpretation...on both sides.

--Joe

bobcowan · #12 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 01:54 PM

[quote=Argess;991053]
Q1/ Is it real?

A1/ I have still not come up with a good, polite, informative answwer on this one.

____________________________

You see it too?

Excaliber · #13 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 02:00 PM

The answer varies with time and conditions. Stop light about to turn green is a way different circumstance than a chat at a cruise in.

snakebittexan · #14 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 02:08 PM

"No it's not an original shelby cobra, it is although a real cobra replica.
Bill...very simple."

Now that's pure genius!

JBCOBRA · #15 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 02:10 PM

When people ask is it real/original? I just say "what do you think?" or "I can't afford an original" and just laugh

DAVID GAGNARD · #16 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

When people ask is it real/original? I just say "what do you think?" or "I can't afford an original" and just laugh

At a cruise nite I was parked (65 Fastback GT-350 replica/clone/tribute) next to a nice white/blue striped FFR, just to avoid all the usual BS and mess with the folks he and I began answering question # 1, saying, "I'm not sure , look it over and you tell me"..........

About 90% said: "it could be".......... most folks can't tell the difference without seeing the CSX tag........ I know with certain makes, I can't from 20 feet...............

David

Rick Parker · #17 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 04:01 PM

I was at a good sized (750+) local car show a couple of years ago where there were a total of 5 Cobras being shown. All the others with the exception of mine (289 body) were 427 Body style. I was parked next to a very nice one with a 428 and the others scattered throughout the show had 302 varients. All were very nice cars. A fellow looked at the car next to me and then approached mine from one side and looked at my engine and then at me and asked if it was mine. I acknowleged. He then caught me off gaurd, he said "Thanks for bringing out a real 289 it's great to see a 289 after loooking at all of the "other ones" . I just snickered to myself as he walked away???????

*13* · #18 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 02:11 PM

Is it real? NO.
Gas mileage? Really!?
Q3? Answered by q1
what kind of car is it? Cobra, no not a mustang.

snakebittexan · #19 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 02:14 PM

To add to your genius my complete answer will be; "No, it's not an origional Shelby Cobra, however it's a real Cobra replica that's registered as a 1965 model."

REAL 1 · #20 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 02:31 PM

OMG. Your kidding, right?

When you bought the ERA did you think it was a real Cobra then? ERA even refers to the cars as replicas. You didn't understand it was a kit or replica?

Now you are uncomfortable with the idea its a "kit" or "replica"?

You have a replica of a Cobra. Period. Nothing wrong with that. It is what it is.

Whats rude about the person who asked losing interest after learning its a replica? Sounds like you want more attention for your car and become annoyed when inquirers lose interest because when you refer to it as a replica they walk away. Thats their right to walk away or lose interest. You have the right to decide not to answer if you want or tell them whatever you want.

Sounds like you need to care less about what others think about your car and what interest they have in it and be happy with what you have yourself.

ERAs are beautiful replicas. Enjoy the car and stop worrying what others think.

Just my 2 cents.