How do you handle the questions?

[Paul F]

So what? What does that have to do with their question? Their question is, 'is it a 196x Cobra' ; the answer is 'no' with no further embellishment. If the question is 'is that a real Cobra or a kit car'. The answer is 'it's a kit car'.

That tells them everything they want to know. Anything else is just you feeding your insecurities. It changes nothing about what they want to know or care about. The fact that you have some brilliantly built replica is of no interest to them; only to you.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Paul F

So what? What does that have to do with their question? Their question is, 'is it a 196x Cobra' ; the answer is 'no' with no further embellishment. If the question is 'is that a real Cobra or a kit car'. The answer is 'it's a kit car'.

That tells them everything they want to know. Anything else is just you feeding your insecurities. It changes nothing about what they want to know or care about. The fact that you have some brilliantly built replica is of no interest to them; only to you.

I don’t have one yet, so I’m looking forward to the day when I can respond to the ‘real or kit’ question.
However…it’s not as simple as 'it’s either a real Shelby Cobra or it’s a kit'.
If it's a turnkey ERA or a Kirkham from KeithCraft or a Superformance from Olthoff’s, then it’s not a kit.
I think the ‘replica of a Shelby Cobra’ line is the best compromise.
Or... yes it's a real 427 (if it's got one under the hood)
Or ...yes it's a 428 Cobra Jet (if ...etc)
That's accurate isn't it?

[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