Why do people sell their Cobra?

[RET_COP]

How about "Old Age" sad to say, and this is a forced event that we can all see coming. I believe and hope , but not looking forward to, that I have to sell my Cobra because of this [not something that will derail me sooner]. At 53 I hope I have 15 quality years left where I WANT and CAN drive it. I have to push the thought out of my mind.
Can anyone with experience chime in on this.
Lou

[Bill Hughes]

When I got mine on the road, after 5 years to build it did scare the crap out of me.

I have two bad knees, a mild case of MS, but I will never sell mine. I'll turn it into a planter first.

[Ant]

I think people find that they look good sound good etc, downside is road driving they aren't great and this can depends on how the driving position is optimized. There are much nicer cars to drive available but they are not a cobra and don't have that appeal.
Regarding racing a lot of cobra enthusiasts think first time up they are going to play merry hell at the racetrack with all the hp etc and fall flat on their faces, these cars can take a lot of work and development to get doing good lap times. I guess thats par for the course for any car speed costs.
I am on my fourth cobra and have unfortunately sold previous cars and am now finding it harder to complete my current and last build.

TO ME THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN SEEING A COBRA CRUISING DOWN THE ROAD, THAT SILHOUETTE IS SOMETHING ELSE.

[c6ae]

I have built several cars through the years and am old enough now to realize that quiet and smooth running are a big part of enjoying the car.
A moderate cam, under car exhaust, insulation under the floormats etc all contribute to make an enjoyable ride for me.
That's not to say my car is "quiet" my wife can hear me coming home about a mile away. The noise just goes out the back of the car and I don't hear it so much...

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by RET_COP

How about "Old Age" sad to say, and this is a forced event that we can all see coming. I believe and hope , but not looking forward to, that I have to sell my Cobra because of this [not something that will derail me sooner]. At 53 I hope I have 15 quality years left where I WANT and CAN drive it. I have to push the thought out of my mind.
Can anyone with experience chime in on this.
Lou

Personally, at 61-1/2 I'm hoping for more than 6 or 7 more fun years enjoying my cars. Those are going to go by too quick. But I think I do fit in with the group that probably gets more enjoyment out of the build and repair side than just driving.

[REAL 1]

I'm sure some build and then want to sell because they accomplished what they set out to do. Build it.

From a perspective of someone that is not a builder my read on it is that most sell because they "think they wanted a Cobra" because of it's iconic status and performance. Many who buy are not really into Shelby's or the history of the Cobra, Carroll Shelby and Shelby American i.e. not true Cobrafiles/Shelby fans.

They buy the car, find out it is hot, uncomfortable, loud, smells of exhaust, requires regular mechanical attention, wife/girlfriend doesn't like it and it's a 1/2 hr to 1 hour car at best before most want to stop and get out.

In short it's not in their blood and they would now rather sell and buy something more civilized and practical with great performance such as Z06, Viper etc.... In most cases it's alot of money to have tied up on a car with limited use, practicality and narrow marketabilty.

I have owned my Shelby for 12 years now. She's officially an old girl. It's half way to being a "antique" in N.J. as far as license plates are concerned.

It's still loud, raw, hot, smells of exhuast and it's always "something". My wife still hates it. I'm am now in the process of rebuilding both carbs and constantly tinkering..but.. I still love it as much as the day it arrived from Shelby. I guess it's in my blood.