How do you handle the questions?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by xb-60

If it's a turnkey ERA or a Kirkham from KeithCraft or a Superformance from Olthoff’s, then it’s not a kit.

Yes, it is a kit, turn key or not......Even a CSX continuation series car starts off as a "turn key minus",making it, come on you can do it, a kit car




I'll leave the rest of you to argue the finer points.



Bill S.

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Yes, it is a kit, turn key or not......Even a CSX continuation series car starts off as a "turn key minus",making it, come on you can do it, a kit car ...

Bill S.

That has been debated for a long time. But judges Rogers, Walsh, and Bergsman put it to bed in a ruling where they said:

"In the early 1990s, Shelby also began to produce
“continuation” models or his particular replicas of
original Cobras, including the Cobra 427 S/C, also
principally in the form of kits. Shelby continued to do so
at least through the trial in this case in 2009."

[CoolCarl]

Most of the questions I get are while I'm at work. I usually come right out and say its a kit and has a lot of Mustang running gear. I mention the kit comes with a frame, body, interior, gauges, etc. My roadster is on the lower end of the scale in terms of price and when others guess what I paid they are usually blown away.

If I'm feeling frisky I say, "I'm flipping burgers here and your asking me if it's original?" You see, I work at a 50's style burger joint.

The thing I find most interesting when talking to strangers is how many people say, "I knew a guy that had 2 of them in the 70's," or something like that. With all the people in my town of Portland, Oregon saying they knew someone with a cobra it makes me think that of the 1000 sold in the 60's, 950 of them must be in Portland.

[SP01715]

I tell them it is a factory built replica, and give them an SPF brochure that explains how the car is delivered if they want one. I have a pile of them in my trunk. When you say kit people think you built it in your garage.

[trularin]

First, this thread is a "heart ache" for many people as the term kit seems to imply "put part A into part B".

There is NOTHING kit about my car.

I do believe there are cars that maybe "kits", but unless you own one of those, at best you have a tribute car or replica.

When asked, "Is that there one of them kit cars?" You may be inclined to ask. "does it matter?"

Just my opinion...worth nothing to many.

[xb-60]

Just flicking through ...umm, 'somebodys' book, and inside the rear cover is a good reply.. "a genuine fake"

[BAsque1]

Sweety you are extremely cute" (respectfully) they are trying to establish a conversation...just play along and give them my answer. When they ask I answer "Its a Lamborghini eater" they don't know what to say after that.

Then they hear my 500 hps purring inside after that I disappear and the question has been answered
Keep on Cobraing (Beautiful purple color!!!!!)
Ciao bella
Basque1

[lnfletcher]

I agree with you Paul, but I have also had some ask if it was a kit car and when I answered it was, they then asked who manufactured it and how hard it was to put together. Often times they stated that they had always wanted to build one but thought it would be too difficult. I have had a number of good conversations with people by not getting my feeling hurt and offering them information on the car. If you are willing to talk to them and are excited about your car, you'll find you will meet a lot of great people that are very impressed with your car. The trick is to not be offended, but informative!

[RodKnock]

Evan (Real 1), White Courtesy telephone. Evan, White Courtesy telephone.

Where's that "popcorn" emoticon when you need it.

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by lnfletcher

I agree with you Paul, but I have also had some ask if it was a kit car and when I answered it was, they then asked who manufactured it and how hard it was to put together. Often times they stated that they had always wanted to build one but thought it would be too difficult. I have had a number of good conversations with people by not getting my feeling hurt and offering them information on the car. If you are willing to talk to them and are excited about your car, you'll find you will meet a lot of great people that are very impressed with your car. The trick is to not be offended, but informative!

Agreed. That's what I was mentioning in my first post. Saying it is a kit car leads onto a nice conversation about what motor, what vendor, and the usual list of questions.

It goes with the car. It's like being a celebrity. Every time you step out, you need to be in a good mood (you should be, your the envy of everyone on the road) and have a good time with the people that want to interact with you.

[RodKnock]

Here's just one thread from last year......which Jamo merged with another similar thread from last year......

This one was entitled: "How to deal with questions/comments where the answer is....well....you know..."

http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100137

[Dimis]

A couple ways to answer...

1) Of course its real... You're not imagining it!


2) No... Its an SPF or Backdraft or ERA or Shelby continuation, etc... Whatever...


3) Thank God No!
'cos it wouldn't go half as well as this!


or,
My favorite & one I can hopefully answer with in future...

4) Its better! Its a Kirkham!

[RodKnock]

Here are a couple threads from 2008.

Best response to, "Is that an original?"

http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82801

Continuation CSX a "Kit car"?

http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88012

[fleiss75]

I love when people ask me about the car and building it. I love talking about the ups and downs, the 8 years of it. Most men are impressed that a woman owns and worked on the car. But there is a difference in asking questions because they are interested or putting value based upon the words KIT car.
Sorry Paul, I do not need my ego stroked, I do not have any insecurities about it.
I just like to have some witty reply handy for the jackass that pulls up next to me.

[Paul F]

Understood. I've not experienced anyone with limited mental capacity when being asked the 'is it real' question. I have had a few people that hate me for owning a roadster. They flip me a salute or curse me. But the kit thing has always been friendly.

[csx wnab]

i'm always asked "is it real?" i respond no it's a flying carpet made to look like a cobra. or yes , it is a real car.

[fleiss75]

Thanks RodKnock, I couldn't find anything about it before I posted. I laughed out loud at most of the stuff on there. I think I will stick with the Of course its real... You're not imagining it! But if there is geninue interest I will be more than happy to elaborate.
Maybe the key at the red lights is to turn the music up and rev the engine and enjoy the ride!

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by fleiss75

Maybe the key at the red lights is to turn the music up and rev the engine and enjoy the ride!

You have audio in your Cobra ?

Actually, I do, too, but only b/c it was in the car when I bought it. I usually wear hearing protection when I drive the Cobra, so the audio system is purely for times when I'm parked, like at the beach.

As for the "Is it real?" question, my most common answer is "Yes, it's real, I drive it almost every day." Once we've traveled the road of self-discovery to the destination where the questioner realizes the appropriate question is "Is it an original Shelby?", I tell them:

1. Original Shelbys are not driven on the street for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that insurance is astronomical (because it is very difficult to find original replacement parts) IF one could find a company willing to insure it at all (b/c of the extremely high values).

2. Thank goodness it's not an original, my replica actually performs better and handles better than most of the originals b/c of the improved technologies available these days.

Then I ask them (for some reason they are usually young ladies in the 20-30 year old range) if they have a cell phone. If the answer is "yes", I offer to have them sit in the driver's seat and I take a photo of them with their own cell phone. They all leave with a huge smile on their face !!

Cheers from Dugly

[tcrist]

What amazes me is that adults ask that question incorrect almost every time.

"Is it real"? Hell yes it is, you are looking at it aren't you. It is not a figment of your imagination.

As I stated in one of the posts from last year (I think), A 14-15 year old neighbor came by a while back and asked it like this "Is that an original Shelby Cobra"?

If a 14-15 year old can ask it correctly, why cant adults?

When I am asked "is it real", my answer is "it is not an original Cobra, it's a replica".
Then if their face turns to that disgusted look, that is not the type of person that I want to associate with anyway.

All and all I have had a good experience. Like it was posted earlier, most people (guys mostly) just want to know whats under the hood and how does it drive.

I did not get this REPLICA to impress anyone. I got it because I like the looks of these cars and I sure cant afford an original.

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by tcrist

As I stated in one of the posts from last year (I think), A 14-15 year old neighbor came by a while back and asked it like this "Is that an original Shelby Cobra"?

You were lucky to have encountered such a well-informed teenager. Recently I posted a photo of my replica on a musically oriented forum, one of the younger members (a teenager from Canada) complimented me on the car and then asked if it had a "...three on the tree" .

I ALMOST laughed .....

Cheers from Dugly