I totally agree with Maricopa. I live at the end of a gravel road and while I try to keep my car as clean and nice as I can... I have it to drive, not to constantly wax and shine and fuss over. Cruise-ins are fun and seeing other cars and friends is the reason I go, as far as shows I have absolutely no interest in sitting by my car in a parking lot waiting to get judged for something that doesn't matter to me.

For me, I think participating in a car show is more about the fellowship with other car enthusiasts then getting a trophy. I agree that sitting around your car all day is a drag. Meeting new people and getting away for the afternoon is why I go to shows. I much rather spend the day at the track...

This is exactly how I feel about car shows. I have friends that have tried to talk me into it, and they just don't do anything for me.

OK, OK, OK, one was at least MARIAH, certainly Cobra Earl and probably Mr. Viagra. All of us, Factory Five Mark Is with some mileage, some years and a few adventures behind us.

Sorry to be so late to the party you guys were having here last week ……………… Since I stopped by I thought I would drop off a couple comments before getting back to things that really matter in life.

I’m pretty sure I must have talked to ratdog that day but he did not leave nearly the impression on me that MARIAH apparently did on him. And after reading his comments, I’ve pulled up my big boy panties and let them pass. Heck I’ve criticized a car and owner or two in my day.

But by golly the world of Cobras (originals and replicas) here in the Southeast is pretty small. Thrashing fellow enthusiasts publicly seems a little well ……………(you fill in the word).

I expect to see ratdog again, probably sooner than later during this driving season. The next time that happens, MARIAH might appreciate a little more consideration of her patina and the love she has for spectators. Not an event passes without at least one if not several adults and children being given the opportunity to sit behind the wheel for photographs. Smiles and memories last far longer than trophies. At the AutoFair one gentleman was handed the keys to see what she sounded like. A couple years ago, a perfect stranger and his wife (potential FFR customers), drove her around the lot at a Cruise In. Foolish me to think that MARIAH should be only for my enjoyment ……. an object to be protected, babied, worshiped and set on a pedestal; high above others.

At 53,000 miles she does show the wear and grit of her trips to Key West, London Ohio twice, Cape Cod, the LP & UP of Michigan, Door County Wisconsin, several times out to Ocracoke Island, NC, down to Parris Island for a Reunion, Amelia Island to see some real cars, many trips to Ocala to visit our daughter and every place within a 6 hour drive of Upstate South Carolina. She has been in rain with and without her hardtop, snow, sleet and down MANY gravel roads that seemed to offer adventure.

The first time she was on a trailer was when I picked her up at Whitbys with her bare frame sitting on the deck and boxes filling all her cavities. The 2nd time was when the painter picked her up. The 3rd time was $2,000 later when she came back from the painter.

MARIAH sets in the garage. I can’t remember the last time she wore a cover other than her Snapless Tonneau. If I forget to put the hardtop windows in, the cat naps in the passenger foot box. At any moment, she is likely to head off to church, Lowes to pick up PVC pipe or fertilizer, dinner with Cobra friends of which she has many, a trash run to the Inconvenience Center, a Cruise In or any of the many adventures the wife and I can conger up. Saturday, I did take a paper towel and windex and wiped off the muddy cat prints before heading off on an adventure for the afternoon.

I have been known to wipe off the valve covers and air cleaner as a part of preps before a viewing. But I must admit the paint is peeling from her frame, some rust is coming through, the oil vapors have collected dust and debris in multiple places and her once buffed aluminum panels remain grungy.

The nice thing about the automotive hobby is there is room for everyone and everything.

All that owners and cars can expect is ……… respect. So if you see MARIAH out your way, judge her by her adventures and the smiles that she has brought to the world not whether she is a buffed to your satisfaction.

Well, I did say at the start that it could have been an original, I just didn't realize it was an original Mk1 FFR - cool!

Some of the older guys here might remember Art Colley, from Baton Rouge,had a white EM with a stroker small block chevy motor in it..He was/is a really first class guy,went to some cruise nites when he was there with his car, always had kids sitting in it as well as adults, his car had an auto trans. in it and he often encouraged/insisted the kids "to start it up and rev it up a time or 2".........he oftened gave them rides around the parking lot......

Even thought I don't have a Cobra,just a lowley 65 Mustang Fastback, I've had many folks sitting in it and on it for photos. Had some exchange students from France,mostly girls want to pose all over it for photos, told them to have at it, just be careful around the fiberglass hood scoop, they were and the photo session did draw a croud as they were trying to be at their sexiest.......
The smile on a 10 year old kids face behind the wheel all buckled in is worth more than any trophy I could ever hope to get........

David

Well said sir, well said !
Rog in Oz

Gee Mariah, I thought I was the only person that treated their FFR like that.....

Heck I remember you letting a total stranger drive your FFR at Mitty one year. Not sure I would(could because of insurance), but I was proud to be in your company..

See you soon, at Mitty I suspect?

We are talking about camping again if weather permits..

Someday you'll grow up to be a REAL Factory Five owner/driver.

I'm going to have to miss the Mitty this year.

We've been invited to a cookout up near Spencer, NC. It's always nice to "go home", retell the stories and describe the adventures my brother and I had growing up there.

I'll be looking for camping photos...........

I will keep riding and if I open my hood it will be clean,when I grow up I took a bath:LOL:

About 10 years ago I bought a wannabe Cobra made locally here in Indonesia by a guy that had a couple of small photos. He made four, 3 still on the road. They sure aren't accurate and mine has a Aussie GM Holden in line six and an auto and no top. My kids and I rewired it, learned how to fiberglass, changed bits and pieces and a heap of other things. We drive it all over, lots of strangers have had a sit in it, people all over give us thumbs up and we seldom wash it or polish it. I have friends who have big buck cars of the Italian kind and they won't let any one touch it, near it or breathe on it. They spend all their time worrying about a nick or a scratch or the paint fading in the sun. We have a heap more fun than they do. The dog sits inside with the kids and they pretend they are driving and going on adventures (no keys in sight) and now we have a Hurricane replica about 50% finished and its going to be the same way. Fun and driven and enjoyed. Its a car, so we get out and use 'em. If you want to spend your time polishing and sitting making vroom noises, that's up to you...either way, there's plenty of room for both of us, you'll have more room at the shows for parking and I'll have more room on the road. We can all be happy. :)
ken

I agree 100%, there is a place for both...

About ten years ago on a hot summer saturday nite,my wife and I went to the local Sonic drive-in for a burger.The place was crowded and the only open spot was next to a big 3/4 ton,4x4 diesel truck. We had no choice but to pull in on their passenger side, it was hot,so the elderly couple had their windows up and A/C on and we were next to them with all the noise and fumes,not the best case.

But,anyway,the lady kept looking down at us and pointing to the car, the husband was trying to lean over and see it,but couldn't,so after a few minutes he got out of his truck and came around to my car. He was very polite and appologized for the intrusion,but asked to look over the fastback and what year it was. Told him he was welcome to look it over all he wanted and it was a 65.About this time,his wife had put her window down and he told her:"see,I told you it was a 65,just like the one we had"....

I could see a "gleam" in both their eyes as I knew it had to remind them of something, that's when he told me he had a red 65 fastback back in the day and dated his wife in that car and they used it to go on their honeymoon. He said he kept the car till they began having kids, then sold it for a 4-door family car and he always missed his 65 fastback......

I told him if he wanted to, he was more than wlecome to take his wife for a ride in my car as soon as we finished eating,he couldn't believe I had offered a total stranger to take it for a ride. He thanked me, but declined,said he had not driven a stick shift car in 30 years and would probably burn up the clutch, told him it didn't matter, the offer still stands, he declined again and then I offered to take them for a ride around town, he thanked me for the offer, but declined and said they had to be on their way......

Afterwards,my wife asked me if I was really gonna let them take the car for a ride, told her heck yea, she couldn't believe it.....I said the look on their faces and the memories it brought back were priceless and if he had accepted, he was welcome to a ride anytime......

I enjoy seeing people enjoy my car as much as I enjoy driving it.....Just the way I am.........

David

And all this time I thought you were...

:LOL:

Great story Dave!

:D :D

I would NOT let this man drive my car. :LOL:

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/vir_1.jpg

David +1!!! Great Story! Thanks, for sharing.

Chris

Well, not with his eyes taped shut and a quart jar of "shine" in his hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!:LOL::LOL:

I know that guy personally,so under better conditions than he is in in that picture,I would let him drive my car.....after all, he's a really nice guy, likes men too!!!!!!!!:LOL::LOL::LOL:

David

THAT ISN"T YOU?????????

:LOL:

I was sure that was Dave.

:LOL:

Lord! I think my head still hurts from that SAAC event...what a party!