Why are Cobra replicas so popular? What about other replicas?

[visualfxpro]

Just curious why there are so many Cobra replicas out there. It's not the only car with a replica, so why don't I see others on the streets? Why isn't there a Ferrari club filled with replicas? Lambos?

[fordracing65]

Cause cobras are so bad ass, thats why.

[289FIA]

Originally Posted by visualfxpro

Just curious why there are so many Cobra replicas out there. It's not the only car with a replica, so why don't I see others on the streets? Why isn't there a Ferrari club filled with replicas? Lambos?

'cause Lamborghini (under VW ownership) and Ferrari forced closure of all those replicating anything even remotely similar in looks to the real thing.

[visualfxpro]

Originally Posted by 289FIA

'cause Lamborghini (under VW ownership) and Ferrari forced closure of all those replicating anything even remotely similar in looks to the real thing.

WOW! I was wondering about that! Cause those replicas have the Ferrari/Lambo badge on them and you can't even put that logo on your T-Shirt "legally" without permission. So I guess there USED to be a time where there were a lot of exotic replicas driving around. Interesting.

[visualfxpro]

Some interesting perspectives! I was just thinking about it and I said to myself, I don't' know of any other replica(not that there isn't one) that actually surpass the performance of the original. That is probably why nobody seems to care if it's a "kit car", because they know it's not a cheap copy, it's a superior recreation! I suppose that would be the case in most antique kits featuring modern tech, but most other replicas I know of are of modern cars. THAT is where the problem comes in. You have a $60,000 kit based of a $20,000 car that is trying to simulate $250,000 of modern technology. I would suspect those kits are not much more than oversized miniature models. They have as much in common with the original as the model on your desk. They just put real car parts in there so you can move it around to show your friends.

Cobra drivers might as well be driving the real thing if only they could DETUNE that engine a bit!

[visualfxpro]

*Can you tell a real Cobra from a Replica? - YouTube

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by visualfxpro

Can you tell a real Cobra from a Replica? -

...like, in 3 seconds. What's the point?

[RACER X #99]

[quote=visualfxpro;1157722]*Can you tell a real Cobra from a Replica? - YouTube[/QUOTE

Easiest way to spot a real Cobra at a show.
If the hood is open and the engine is shiny and somebody is sitting next to the car, it is a replica.

If the hood is closed and nobody is sitting around, good chance it's a real one.

[mrmustang]

Second most popular is the Porsche Speedster, followed by the Lotus 7,both have a very large following.


Bill S.

[*13*]

Nothing assaults the senses like walking up next to a race prepped cobra sitting idling in a parking lot/gas station/stop light. The Cobra is a roadster that says, "Hey, let's go for a ride into the mountains, or the beach, or just cruise into town". The Cobra is almost like an "Every man's car". It looks wicked like a vintage Vette or Mustang, but doesn't necessarily have that schmucky feel of an exotic. & most of all, the Cobra is just plain brutally quick & mean. No one messes with a Cobra!

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Second most popular is the Porsche Speedster, followed by the Lotus 7,both have a very large following.


Bill S.

Bill,
Don't forget '32 Fords.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Bill,
Don't forget '32 Fords.

Funny, I always thought the 32/33 Ford owners did not like their cars being referred to as "kit cars", instead they are to be referred to as "continuation series cars"


Bill S.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Second most popular is the Porsche Speedster, followed by the Lotus 7,both have a very large following.


Bill S.

I used to own a Speedster replica and now own a Cobra Replica. IMHO, two of the most iconic body styles ever made.

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by visualfxpro

Just curious why there are so many Cobra replicas out there. It's not the only car with a replica, so why don't I see others on the streets? Why isn't there a Ferrari club filled with replicas? Lambos?

I think, it's because most of the other replicas do not open the hood while most Cobras are very eager to show that power plant.

And...it really rides and performs like a Cobra, leaves all the kids with the rice burners, Mustangs and Camaros behind.


And...Girls find it "cute" - whatever that means.....

[RIDENHI61]

In a sense wasent the first cobra ever built a kit car .. though kit is not what id call them myself.Meaning Carol Shelby went to ford and said hey give me a small block and some cash i have this car id like to build and compete with .. well it wasent a factory pruduced car exsactly neither ..Though i can be wrong..Ive built and owned a few hotrods before my cobra was a steel 1935 ford three window and i can honestly say theres nothing that compares to the enjoyment and rush then feeling the raw power of a cobra ..

[TXBLU]

It sems that everyone aggrees that the Cobra is such a beautiful machine, on several levels, that it has that elusive universal appeal no other car can quite match. '32 Ford replicas, and indeed original '32s, are quite popular, but it seems they appeal mostly to an older crowd. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm just not of the generation that has fond memories of those cars. Personally, the fact that most of them have primitive suspensions and Chevrolet engines makes them not very desirable to me. I like Chevys, but I like a Ford to be a Ford, and a Chevy to be a Chevy. An FFR '33 Hot Rod is the only car of that type that holds any interest for me, but it would have to have a Ford engine in it.

As far as GT40s, I like them very much, espescially because of their racing history at Le Mans, but most folks on the the street don't know what they are. Still, I'd love to have one, even if it's a replica. The "bundle of snakes" exhaust is one of the most iconic features I've ever seen on a car. Kinda reminds me of the Gurney Eagle with the Westlake V-12, another supremely iconic racing car.

The Porsche 356 and 550 speedsters are some very cool cars that appeal to lots of folks, but are too often considered to be a "cute" car, and don't evoke the kind of emotionional reaction that Cobra replicas do, but are still very neat cars. I espescially like the Beck 550 Spyder, and their 904 replicas are way cool, but I doubt most folks (outside of Porsche fan circles) have any idea what they are.

Everything else just seems to pale in comparison the the AC Cobra. It's raw, powerful, and dangerous. You don't even have to know what it is to see that. Anyone can tell that it's a car that commands respect. I think women like them so much because they convey that sense of power and danger, yet are so beautiful in their lines and proportions. That, and perhaps they see them as competition for a man's affection, like they do with other beautiful women. And women LOVE to compete against other women.

Anyway, all philosophic musings aside, nothing compares to the Cobra for pure visceral, emotional appeal. It's a classic beauty, just like so many beautifull, iconic women. Everyone likes beauty, but not everyone can handle or afford it!!!

Eric

[Buzz]

The Cobra is a perfect storm of classically beautiful proportions and lines enhanced by functional modifications that really deliver on the visual promise of formidable performance. Starting with the timelessly pleasing shape of John Tojeiro's barchetta body, the Cobra sort of accidentally evolved into an automotive icon that manages to be both obscenely voluptuous and menacingly aggressive in appearance.

Nothing in that shape is a styling exercise - it's all functional and it elicits a strong reaction from everyone who sees it - from toddlers to the elderly, male and female alike. The reaction varies from person to person as the look of the car stirs a different part of different people's souls, but guaranteed, there's always a reaction. Unlike the majority of other automobiles, you cannot remain indifferent when you see, hear, smell or feel a Cobra.

Then of course, there's the performance. Both small and big block Cobras deliver the goods to driver and passenger in a direct, unfiltered manner that goes straight to the seat of the pants. You receive powerful inputs of sound, smells, g-forces and a view across the most curvaceous hood and fenders you've ever seen.

At least four of your senses are bombarded with a staggering shot of direct inputs that are normally softened, dampened, insulated and otherwise censored in ordinary cars. You never walk away from a fast drive in a Cobra without feeling the familiar effects of adrenaline overload - not unlike the vibrating rush you feel after surviving a near death experience.

Cobras are simply about visceral extremes. Extreme beauty, extreme sound and extreme performance. Its the unfiltered, adult, alcoholic, XXX version of the automobile - not for the meek or faint of heart; and above all: THE SURGEON GENERAL WARNS THAT THIS AUTOMOBILE CAN BE ADDICTIVE AND HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH!

[Modena]

what Buzz said

[mdross1]

Originally Posted by visualfxpro

Just curious why there are so many Cobra replicas out there. It's not the only car with a replica, so why don't I see others on the streets? Why isn't there a Ferrari club filled with replicas? Lambos?

One of those questions that if you have to ask,you would never understand the answer.

[dave from mesa]

Originally Posted by mdross1

One of those questions that if you have to ask,you would never understand the answer.

what he said.