How do you handle the questions?

[madmaxx]

To be honest I got so tired of the attention at a light I simply look straight or play with the Ipod. Gas stations are another pain, when asked what it is I say a replica when they ask how much I say the kit is $14,500 and you can have it built and driving like this for about $17K, they get all excited.

[razerwire]

Tell them its a volkswagon and then rev the motor up.

[lovehamr]

F75, with your car I'd just tell them what it really is. By that I mean it's not really a kit, its a 19XX Corvette with a cooler looking body. It'd be much simpler.

Steve

[Paul F]

Sure, you can answer any way you want. Tell 'em its real. Who cares. But I'm wondering why people have such a problem with this question. Why do people bring this up? I'm not picking on the Fleiss, I'm wanting to understand in general why people feel the need to have a witty or prepared response.

Once again, your getting into your world, not the person that is asking the question. They don't know or care about Kirkham vs Superformance vs the others. All they want to know is if they are seeing a 196x Cobra. That's all. Anything else is your need to serve your needs, not answer their question. So if you feel better by saying it is a replica rather than saying it's a kit, go ahead, but what is motivating you to do so? Why can't you simply answer 'its a kit' or 'no, its not real'.

I assume it is ego or pride that prevents people from giving a simple answer to a simple question.

[Sal Gerace]

Most people asking don't care anything about the cars and their history, just how much money you have spent, that's why they ask. They see the high dollar Cobras on BJ and want to be able to tell their friends they seen one. The Cobra guys who don't ask already know or can figure it out for themselves and not insult you. That's just my opinion....

[Cobra #3170]

The only question I ever get is who manufactured your kit? Never is it real, I guess I have gone to far what with the 18" wheels but who cares!

[jhv48]

I have to disagree with a lot of the responses. When people ask if the car is a "real" cobra I think they are hoping they can tell all their buddies that they have actually seen an original 60 something Shelby cobra. And, yes, they are disappointed a little bit but ultimately they usually lavish compliments on the quality of the car. Who cares what anyone thinks about our cars. We take great pains to make our cars look like an original so why get all indignant when somebody is fooled and wants to know if it is "real" or a knock off. When all is said and done, you are still driving the coolest car in the universe.

[azfordman]

Originally Posted by jhv48

I have to disagree with a lot of the responses. When people ask if the car is a "real" cobra I think they are hoping they can tell all their buddies that they have actually seen an original 60 something Shelby cobra. And, yes, they are disappointed a little bit but ultimately they usually lavish compliments on the quality of the car. Who cares what anyone thinks about our cars. We take great pains to make our cars look like an original so why get all indignant when somebody is fooled and wants to know if it is "real" or a knock off. When all is said and done, you are still driving the coolest car in the universe.

My thoughts exactly, Jim. My experience has been that 99% of the people who ask about my car are truly curious if it is a car from the 60's. Even after learning it is a replica, they are still in awe and love the car. I have actually had the opposite happen on a few occasions with people not believing it is a replica. As far as I am concerned, the attention and the questions are part of the charm of these cars.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Sal Gerace

Most people asking don't care anything about the cars and their history, just how much money you have spent, that's why they ask. They see the high dollar Cobras on BJ and want to be able to tell their friends they seen one. The Cobra guys who don't ask already know or can figure it out for themselves and not insult you. That's just my opinion....

Just because some yob wants to pidgeon hole you by what your car's worth, doesn't mean you have to answer within the 'parameters' they set...

Glen

[Sal Gerace]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Just because some yob wants to pidgeon hole you by what your car's worth, doesn't mean you have to answer within the 'parameters' they set...

Glen

I do my best to educate people when they ask about my car or Cobras for that matter. My car fools a lot of people, looks real close to a sixties car. If someone is really interested I enjoy talking Cobras. Maybe a little too long winded at times....

[Nedsel]

It's a free country, so anyone can say whatever they want to in response to an inquiry about their car. If an owner chooses to lie about the origins of his vehicle, that's his decision, although it makes me question the pride of ownership he feels, or more likely the lack thereof. What is the big deal about being honest when asked " THE QUESTION?" If it's that big a deal, you can always keep the thing in your garage, or just drive it rather than stop where someone can ask what apparently is seen as an insulting question. I always view the question as evidence of someone's curiosity, rather than an affront. Similarly, I can only chuckle when one feels compelled to say, "No, it's not a 60's Cobra; it's much better, because I have improved upon that old P.O.S."!" Which is a bit like saying, "No, this Picasso on my kitchen wall is not an original; it's much better, since it is made of improved materials and has more vibrant color." Hey, say whatever floats your boat, but it's debatable that misleading people because it makes you feel better does you any favors in the long run.

[boxhead]

Mine is a Replica Cobra, I built it myself, I dont have the spare money to buy a genuine 60's Cobra.

And I agree that I have more fun in my "tupperware" car than I could in a genuine one.

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by boxhead

Mine is a Replica Cobra, I built it myself, I dont have the spare money to buy a genuine 60's Cobra.

And I agree that I have more fun in my "tupperware" car than I could in a genuine one.

But we would take a real one for a spin with a big cheesy grin, if offered.

[Dangerous Doug]

Paul F: You're right. Saying "replica of a Shelby Cobra" rather than "kit car" is probably for my own benefit.

"Kit car" just sounds cheesy to me, conjuring images of thin fiberglass on a VW pan, drum brakes, chirping up the street (that chirping is the exhaust note from that 1800cc air-cooled opposing cylinder engine).

Whereas my Cobra "replica" has a square tube frame, IRS, disc brakes, 5-speed and plenty of horses---having more in common with a vintage race car than a "kit car" (as described above).

So, you're right. I must be vain or insecure because I would like people to walk away with a correct understanding of what they are looking at when they examine my car.

DD

[67FEfastback]

Just be honest,

It's a Superformance,FFR, Kirkham, fill-in-the-name Cobra. That answer is going to satisfy 75-80% of the people that ask the question, because they have no knowledge of what the originals were.

If you are at a car show, those in the know, will know the maker's name, and appreciate the car, for what it is.

The other 10-15% will keep on puzzling about it, at which point, you can always throw in some technical information, about your fuel or oiling system, to confuse them further.

Some of them may be sufficiently confused as to pretend to understand, what you just said

[mic n gill]

every car is a "replica" of the origional

[Turbonut48]

I like the reply " Its a replica ". If they dont understand, let them try to ask more questions, its a ice breaker for me.

The Nut

[Dan Stryffeler]

I usually just say that's it highly unlikely that you would see an original Cobra at a car show or cruise night. That there were only a few made (assuming we're talking about an "427 SC" which is what you see the most), and those are in museums or vintage race events.

Then I start pointing out the most obvious visual clues to tell most replicas from an original; lug nuts, engines, interiors, etc.

The person comes away a little better informed, I get to talk "cars" and we both win.

- Dan

[rustyBob]

What i get the most is"what is it"......i dont have the sidepipes or the roll bars or the hood scoop or even the side vents and that really throws people off....so i tell them its a replica of an AC and that really throws them off....but in the end i tell them that they could own one themselves.....

[lnfletcher]

Many of us did build it in our garage, it's the only way I could control the quality myself!

I myself consider that a plus.