I think AL427SBF and OldDog both have a point.
From what I can see attendance at SAAC events seems to have dropped over the years. I don't know if membership has dropped. This could clearly be an indication in dropping interest in the "Cobra" as to it's history and interest/concern in Cobra authenticity and accuracy. However, there will always be a segment of the "Cobra" hobby and enthusiast pool that will retain a keen interest in authenticity, provenance, accuracy and history. To those people the accuracy of a correct BB or SB in a Cobra replica is paramount. As more and more "replicas" stray farther and farther from aesthetic accuracy those remaining aesthetically correct may actually have a higher and higher value to those that seek them out.
What strikes me as comical is that as the recipe of new wave "hot rod builders" as they like to refer to themselves stray father and farther away from what a Cobra really is and was how these guys also continue to self servingly refer to their "creations" as "Cobras replicas" which they are not. "Cobras" they clearly are not. These builders continue to further diliute what the Cobra is and was but continue anoint the creations they build as a "Cobras". Ridiculous.
Case in point: Does a square tube chassis car, with inboard rear brakes, BMW suspension components, digital gauges and a Coyote motor even qualify as a "Cobra replica". I know what SAAC definition is of a Cobra replica but isn't there a point where a hot rod having nothing in common or even remotely replicating the original functionally except a plastic Cobra shell doesn't even qualify as a Cobra replica. Isn't it bastardizing the entire concept of a "Cobra replica". Isn't the basic proposition of building or buying a "Cobra replica" to replicate to a large extent or at least to some extent what the Cobra was? Isn't there a point reached where it is more akin to a one off "hot rod" with a shaped plastic body shell merely mimicking a Cobra shape on it or a "T" Bucket with a fake Cobra shell. Substitute a Chevy motor for the Coyote motor and its even more ludicrous to refer to such a vehicle as a Cobra replica more less a Cobra. It becomes a joke. It has
absolutely nothing in common with a Cobra or even an honest Cobra replica that seeks to be even half ass aesthetically correct. Nothing. It's it a farce?. It's not even a fakeydoo. Where an owner or builder does
nothing to recreate what a Cobra was except put a plastic shell on a chassis that looks like a Cobra how should that be considered a "Cobra Replica" more less a Cobra.
Hey, if the anything with a Cobra shell qualifies as a "Cobra replica" or even a "Cobra" (significant distinction between the two) I will get a Cobra shell from Street Beasts and remove my daughters VW body and make her car a Cobra.
Where do you draw the line?
What's next, putting a plastic Cobra shell on a "T" Bucket, Camaro, VW, Fiat or Mercedes will qualify as a "Cobra". What a joke.
I don't know what to call those cars but they qualify as neither a Cobra replica or Cobra in my book.
To refer to them as such is a farce.
You want to build a "hot rod" with a Cobra shell that has nothing in common with a Cobra except it's shape then at least have the decency not to call it a Cobra. Call it a Hot Rod with a Cobra shell on it.
It reaches a point where it's BS. Really.
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