How do you handle the questions?

[mdross1]

Did have a couple of fella's ask once if it were real,No it's a kit! One of them answered, my friend has a real one,with just a touch of smart ass.Before he got away I asked what is his name and where does he live, I would like to see his car.For some reason he got very quiet.No matter just having my name on the registation is all I really need,and feeling the big block shake the car at idle.So many people have commented watching the doors shake up and down while climbing in.Love these hot rods.

[TButtrick]

yes, its a kit
yes, I built it
no, I didn't paint it
I built it to replicate an AC Cobra

Now I'm sure I'll be hearing from a lawyer.
I'm locked and loaded

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

yes, its a kit
yes, I built it
no, I didn't paint it
I built it to replicate an AC Cobra

Now I'm sure I'll be hearing from a lawyer.
I'm locked and loaded

No worries. AC Cobra is not a registered trademark in the States.

Number............Word Mark......Live/Dead....Abandoned
78097067...........AC COBRA..........DEAD.........2002
78075264...........AC COBRA..........DEAD.........2002
77164686...........AC COBRA..........DEAD.........2008

So here is your chance to register it!

[imfastrnu2]

I actually disagree with Paul. My car is not a "kit" car. A "kit" is that plastic model you buy at hobby lobby that comes with instructions telling you to put part A into part B. My car is in no way like that. I "assembled" my car from the pieces I chose with the mechanical knowledge and skill that I had and acquired. Midstates supplied me with a body and frame...I took it from there. Calling it a "kit" minimizies all the hardwork and long hours that went into building it. I guess by the same token we could call all the cars circling the track on Sunday "kit" cars right? I mean Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Toyota didn't build those. A bunch of guys in a garage did. What's the difference? I don't care what someone else's perception of my car is, I know the truth; and the truth is that it is NOT a kit...it is a replica and that is what I refer to it as.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by imfastrnu2

I actually disagree with Paul. My car is not a "kit" car. A "kit" is that plastic model you buy at hobby lobby that comes with instructions telling you to put part A into part B. My car is in no way like that. I "assembled" my car from the pieces I chose with the mechanical knowledge and skill that I had and acquired. Midstates supplied me with a body and frame...I took it from there. Calling it a "kit" minimizies all the hardwork and long hours that went into building it. I guess by the same token we could call all the cars circling the track on Sunday "kit" cars right? I mean Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Toyota didn't build those. A bunch of guys in a garage did. What's the difference? I don't care what someone else's perception of my car is, I know the truth; and the truth is that it is NOT a kit...it is a replica and that is what I refer to it as.

I agree, the term 'Kit Car' is somewhat misleading and demeaning. Unfortunately, it was tagged with that name many years ago and we just cannot get rid of it. I, too, have put many hours into the construction of my ERA, but if Peter says it's a kit, well then it's a kit. The factory-built Cobras also have the term 'Kit' hung on them. The state of CT. calls them 'composite' cars, built from various components.

[Paul F]

I understand your view. I have no issue with it. My only point is that peoples' personal feelings about what their car is; real, replica; original, continuation, kit; does not matter regarding the original point of this thread. The response to a person asking 'is it real' should simply be no. The answer to 'is it a kit or is it real' is 'it's a kit'. The answer to 'is it a kit' is 'its a kit'.

That answers the intent of the question. Any other embellishment to the answer serves your needs, not the person asking the question. It doesn't matter if you are proud of your car, or offended by the term kit, or worked really hard on it, or spent a lot of money on it, or think it is far superior to a kit.

The magazine is called Kit Car Magazine, not Replica Magazine nor Continuation Magazine nor Worked Really Hard On It Magazine. People only think its a real Cobra or a kit car. So owners' feelings about their car should not impede them from giving a simple answer to a simple question. Giving some long answer or 'its a replica' or some smart-arse answer sounds defensive and is defensive. I continue to wonder why people feel a need to embellish the answer.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Paul F

The magazine is called Kit Car Magazine, not Replica Magazine nor Continuation Magazine nor Worked Really Hard On It Magazine. People only think its a real Cobra or a kit car. So owners' feelings about their car should not impede them from giving a simple answer to a simple question. Giving some long answer or 'its a replica' or some smart-arse answer sounds defensive and is defensive. I continue to wonder why people feel a need to embellish the answer.

Then Playboy magazine, should have naked men in the magazine?

[jhv48]

And the madness continues!

[tcrist]

Paul,

It is simple, most people do not ask the question correctly.

For the "is is real" question the answer is as simple as asking if the sun or the moon is real, yes, they are looking at a REAL vehicle. Of course we know what they mean. So it seems that the best answer when you are asked that question is, "it is not an original AC Cobra it is a (insert what ever you want here)".

If they want to know more, they will ask.

You are correct. There is no sense in being a smart a$$ about it. It is all part of owning one of these cars. Get your response prepared. You are going to be using it a lot.

JMO of course.

[Michael4yah]

Why not say.... Its a hand built replica.

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by Michael4yah

Why not say.... Its a hand built replica.

Or factory built replica?

I have also had people ask people what "donor car" was used. If you respond that no dodnor car was used they give you a confused look. Alot of people asking questions about these cars have no idea what they are, or for that matter what an original is. The ones I have given brochures to actually get surprised when they find out this replica industry exist.

[mreid]

And the debate rages on!

Frankly, trying to change the beliefs and attitudes of strangers is a waste of time. If they really mattered to me, they would be friends. Like it or not, the term kit is here to stay. If someone asks and then reacts negatively, that's their issue to own, not mine. If they are interested, I will spend the time to explain what is behind the term kit. They just might learn something or even become a friend. We waste way too much time worrying about what people that don't really matter to us think.

[Michael4yah]

I agree, its a waste of time, I doubt that anyone who asks could actually afford an original anyway.

Originally Posted by mreid

And the debate rages on!

Frankly, trying to change the beliefs and attitudes of strangers is a waste of time. If they really mattered to me, they would be friends. Like it or not, the term kit is here to stay. If someone asks and then reacts negatively, that's their issue to own, not mine. If they are interested, I will spend the time to explain what is behind the term kit. They just might learn something or even become a friend. We waste way too much time worrying about what people that don't really matter to us think.

[lamaluv]

When asked at a local car gathering or in a restaurant parking lot if it is a "real" Cobra I often reply. "Well lets see, if it were a real S/C 427 Cobra it would be one of 31 made and worth over a million bucks. So what do you think?" This usually gets a good natured laugh, but one time I did hear the local expert tell his buddy that he knew it was a real one because it wasn't all shiney and new like those fakes are.

I don't mind the inquiring minds of the non Cobra public but do find Cobra snobbery among different Cobra kit, replica, clone, fake owners to be a real turn off.

Dick

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by lamaluv

Cobra snobbery among different Cobra kit, replica, clone, fake owners to be a real turn off.

Dick

I LMAO at it!

[392cobra]

"No idea,it's my Mom's."

[James Stern]

I just tell them it's not real it's an illusion. If opportunity presents itself I then disapear in a cloud of smoke!

[Paul F]

I don't know what to do when they ask me if it is real. I have to wonder what it is they are asking. After all, I know my car is not a 60's Cobra, which is what they are asking. But I don't want them thinking it is some crappy kit car. My ego is not strong enough to deal with this. I have to come up with some clever response to the question so that my manhood is preserved; so they know I don't have a crappy kit car. I know, I will call it a replica or a continuation Cobra. So when they ask "is it real" I'll say "it is a replica"

Meanwhile, the the man asking the question walks away with his young son and says to him "no son, it's not a real Cobra, its a kit car"

[REAL 1]

If a Superformance is a kit the original Shelby Cobras were kits if being a "kit" has nothing to do with being an original car.

However, When Joe public asks if it's a "kit" he is in most cases asking if it's an original Cobra. The.question many times is phrased the other way.."is it real" or is it a "replica"? this is based on his general lack knowledge of the cars past and current history.

When asked (which is often) I tell people what the car is by saying it is a Shelby Cobra continuation series manufactured by Shelby American in 1999. They usually want to know more and I tell them about it. I have yet to meet a Joe Public that is not in awe when they are told and learn its a real aluminum bodied Shelby Cobra. As a Shelby, it speaks for itself and so does their reaction to seeing a Shelby Cobra. No such "awe" is generated by an LA Exotics, that's for sure.

[Chuckr]

Nicer way to call them what they really are, kit cars. My two pennies worth Chuck