Which is the best cobra manufacturer?

[REAL 1]

There is only one Company that is still legally manufacturing Cobras. SAI. However, The only 2 companies continuing to produce authentic Cobras as according to the leading authoroty are Shelby and Kirkham ... this according to the SAAC World Registry. If you want a "Cobra" those are your choices outside of those made in the 60s.

Since you purchased a GT350 (awesome car btw) likely the SAI pedigree means something to you and it should if you love Cobras. Nothing but a Shelby can deliver that.


The rest are replicas of Cobras. Out of that group my vote goes to ERA.

Lets get our terms straight.

I expect the non Shelby owning peanut gallery to jump in with their usual self serving analysis of the term "replica" but the fact remains the official position has been stated and is in print in the leading authoritative text on the subject. All their analysis and foot stamping won't change things.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

There is only one Company that is still legally manufacturing Cobras. SAI. However, The only 2 companies continuing to produce authentic Cobras as according to the leading authoroty are Shelby and Kirkham ... this according to the SAAC World Registry. If you want a "Cobra" those are your choices outside of those made in the 60s.

Since you purchased a GT350 (awesome car btw) likely the SAI pedigree means something to you and it should if you love Cobras. Nothing but a Shelby can deliver that.


The rest are replicas of Cobras. Out of that group my vote goes to ERA.

Lets get our terms straight.

I expect the non Shelby owning peanut gallery to jump in with their usual self serving analysis of the term "replica" but the fact remains the official position has been stated and is in print in the leading authoritative text on the subject. All their analysis and foot stamping won't change things.

"Best" can be interpreted in many different ways. And the "self-serving" comment is also in it of itself "self-serving."

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

"Best" can be interpreted in many different ways. And the "self-serving" comment is also in it of itself "self-serving."

FWIW, I always serve myself first. That way I can be assured of getting more than the other guy.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

"Best" can be interpreted in many different ways. And the "self-serving" comment is also in it of itself "self-serving."

Major difference is "my statements" are not self serving opinionated hyperbole based on my own personal view. I am Merely repeating the official position stated in The World Registry of Cobras (not of replicas but COBRAS) which is THE authoritative text.

Thanks.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Major difference is "my statements" are not self serving opinionated hyperbole based on my own personal view. I am Merely repeating the official position stated in The World Registry of Cobras (not of replicas but COBRAS) which is THE authoritative text.

Thanks.

The book in which you refer to also specifically states that the continuation models offered by SAI are "true replicas."

The OP asked for opinions "on the top five manufacturers of the replicas." And that would include the Shelby Cobra continuation models.

And yes, your comments are self-serving, but that's OK. We all are to some extent. The OP just needs a Club Cobra Orientation Day so he can get squared away before posting to the forum.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

"Best" can be interpreted in many different ways. And the "self-serving" comment is also in it of itself "self-serving."

Originally Posted by RodKnock

The book in which you refer to also specifically states that the continuation models offered by SAI are "true replicas."

The OP asked for opinions "on the top five manufacturers of the replicas." And that would include the Shelby Cobra continuation models.

And yes, your comments are self-serving, but that's OK. We all are to some extent. The OP just needs a Club Cobra Orientation Day so he can get squared away before posting to the forum.

Yes, another quote taken out of contex. Lol. No surprise. Keep reading my friend.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Yes, another quote taken out of contex. Lol. No surprise. Keep reading my friend.

It's not out of context. I don't have the World Registry in front of me, but as I remember, the caption says that "they" (SAAC) needed to call Shelby's "true replicas" something other than that and decided to call them "continuations."

[lippy]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Major difference is "my statements" are not self serving opinionated hyperbole based on my own personal view. I am Merely repeating the official position stated in The World Registry of Cobras (not of replicas but COBRAS) which is THE authoritative text.

Thanks.

This forum is mostly self-serving opinionated hyperbole, which is one of the reasons I like it.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by lippy

This forum is mostly self-serving opinionated hyperbole, which is one of the reasons I like it.

... and one it which REAL 1 is an active participant in keeping it that way

[Bartruff1]

Best ? What does that mean...quality ? value ? .... I have a Superformance because I was interested in Value , bang for the buck, and I had no intention of selling it.... if resale is a criteria, I probably would have bought a Shelby.

Just my 2 cents..

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by Bartruff1

Best ? What does that mean...quality ? value ? .... I have a Superformance because I was interested in Value , bang for the buck, and I had no intention of selling it.... if resale is a criteria, I probably would have bought a Shelby.

Just my 2 cents..

I think of best as best quality, best service, best value for the money, a Kirkham body is hand built by them, not a fiberglass mold, there suspension is billet built in house, all those reasons to me make a Kirkham the best Cobra maker, which the OP asked who is the best and why, none of the other guys are producing an aluminum body with billet parts is house, all kits are awesome and can be finished anyway you want, but only one does what the Kirkham's do...call me crazy...

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

I think of best as best quality, best service, best value for the money, a Kirkham body is hand built by them, not a fiberglass mold, there suspension is billet built in house, all those reasons to me make a Kirkham the best Cobra maker, which the OP asked who is the best and why, none of the other guys are producing an aluminum body with billet parts is house, all kits are awesome and can be finished anyway you want, but only one does what the Kirkham's do...call me crazy...

No, I won't call you crazy at all....you are one of the best and most thoughtful posters on the board.

Kirkham likely has the best quality...but it was a very poor value for me for several reasons....

I definitely did not want a shinny aluminum body... so I would have painted it.

Furthermore, I did not want a aluminum body for a variety of reasons centered around damage and repair. My opinion, that's all.

And so, Kirkham was not on my list for long.

I think if you are looking for value and you are willing and able to pony up the dough... a original is the best value, it will actually appreciate, it is hard to beat driving a capital gain... and you can drive them and make money.

Fast Freddy's Ferrari that he paid $14k for (about $100k adjusted) just sold for nearly $30,000,000....soooo....that is great value.

I have had the Porsche disease for 50 years and have not only driven them for free...I have made money....you can't beat that....

And yes, I love the line...." What is the difference between a porcupine and a Porsche ? ...... A porcupine has the pricks on the outside "

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

There is only one Company that is still legally manufacturing Cobras. SAI. However, The only 2 companies continuing to produce authentic Cobras as according to the leading authoroty are Shelby and Kirkham ... this according to the SAAC World Registry. If you want a "Cobra" those are your choices outside of those made in the 60s.

....

What's that got to do with his question as to who is building the best Cobra?