I was surprised when I sold mine. 95% of callers were in their late 60's. Most 30-50 year old dont have the $$. At times I wonder if the market will be saturated with cobras. 1965 was 48 years ago, the last two generations aren't into hot rods. Even car shows are swamped with old white guys 50 lbs over weight or using a walker. Where is this hobby going?
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 575 with Shelby Aluminum 427 Stroked to 468
Posts: 380
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Great responses
These are great comments, I think anyone paying $60k for a SPF roller is insane. I don't want to be the guy remembering the good old days when the SPF roller was $37.5k but my guess is that the company is selling far fewer of them these days, so they cut supply back. THey were up to the 1100 series in 2001, and now they're in the 3600 range? I recall in the mid 2000s (years) they were making 4-600 per year (just a guess) and maybe now they can only really find demand for 200-300 per year. I remember on barrett jackson they were selling a SPF brock for something ridiculous like $200+K
That said, the SPF cars do have great resale, but some of these price tags seem like nose bleed territory to me. Having owned SPF 1118 and 1005, i can attest that there is great value, but in the high 30s low 40s for a mid 2000 vintage and not $72k. I've seen the all aluminum kirkhams sell for $95k to 105k with the aluminum sideoilers. The gap between 95k and 80k to me, just seems like a crazy comparison, but 95k is a uniquely found used kirkham and the spf is new.
So now I'm curious: What is the current price for a brand new ERA Cobra replica in turnkey-minus form, equipped exactly like a base Superformance "roller"?
SPF and ERA are the closest/most direct competitors in today's market, IMO.
So now I'm curious: What is the current price for a brand new ERA Cobra replica in turnkey-minus form, equipped exactly like a base Superformance "roller"?
SPF and ERA are the closest/most direct competitors in today's market, IMO.
A nicely equipped ERA in turnkey minus would be about $68-72k This is the price of the kit with several options plus $10k for them to assemble (guessing) plus about $9k for paint.
I think anyone paying $60k for a SPF roller is insane.
There's a saying "a rising tide lifts all boats." The economy is getting better, the stock market is at historical highs, interest rates at historical lows, Cobra manufacturers are raising their prices and used Cobras appear to be selling quite rapidly on Cobra Country.
I've even seen dealers like Vintage, and more recently Stephen Becker, looking for used Cobras to buy, sell and/or consign.
SPF and ERA are the closest/most direct competitors in today's market, IMO.
This can be argued both ways.
I would argue that while all Cobra manufacturers compete against one another in some fashion, the ERA and SPF are NOT direct competitors, from at least this one angle: the ERA can be purchased and built by the home builder and also customized by ERA to fit a customer's needs. And, but for the square tube frame, the ERA more closely follows the original CSX3000 than an SPF.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA FIA #2117; 331 stroker; TKO600
Posts: 588
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That $62-68 K figure for a "turnkey minus" ERA seems a bit high. They offer A FULL TURNKEY 427 SC for $67,000 (390 FE motor - no top or side curtains - vinyl seats - bolt on wheels). Options are priced so it it pretty easy to have a good idea of what you would put into a turnkey minus.
A little clarification for me, the $68-72K quote does not include assembly and paint?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickd
That $62-68 K figure for a "turnkey minus" ERA seems a bit high. They offer A FULL TURNKEY 427 SC for $67,000 (390 FE motor - no top or side curtains - vinyl seats - bolt on wheels). Options are priced so it it pretty easy to have a good idea of what you would put into a turnkey minus.
I just bought an ERA. That price should be close. $67k is bare bones and may even be out of date. If you add a moderate number of options and a 428 or 427, it would add $15k easy, probably more.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lippy
I just bought an ERA. That price should be close. $67k is bare bones and may even be out of date. If you add a moderate number of options and a 428 or 427, it would add $15k easy, probably more.
Agreed. Nicely built 100% by ERA, nicely customized to your liking with the good candy, and equipped with a 427 or 428, and you're getting to within spittin' distance of six figures. Not quite there yet, mind you... but very close, and the distance shortens every year.
Cobra Make, Engine: Backdraft RT3 #1133, Ford Racing 306
Posts: 228
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My 2 South African Cents
For what effect it may have on current/future pricing of Superformance and Backdraft rollers, the South Aftican Rand is above 10 to the U$D versus about 8 Rand one year ago. Since the cars are "wholesaled" in South Africa, one would think that the profit margin is fairly stable and that retail/MSRP would remain unchanged under the current economic conditions.
For what effect it may have on current/future pricing of Superformance and Backdraft rollers, the South Aftican Rand is above 10 to the U$D versus about 8 Rand one year ago. Since the cars are "wholesaled" in South Africa, one would think that the profit margin is fairly stable and that retail/MSRP would remain unchanged under the current economic conditions.
One might think so. One might also be aware that the price may have been held artificially low for some time to help sales during the biggest depression to impact disposable income since the 30's. Other costs such as shipping (big increases in recent times, fewer sailings, ships slowed down and containers loaded in Port Elizabeth delayed while the ships go to Durban to find more cargo). Also US sourced components and other major parts from outside vendors have gone up and in some cases the vendors have gone out of business.
Superformance not buying used parts and producing bespoke pieces designed for the car is another factor in the price equation.
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