IMO, Adam Levine, the lead singer of Maroon 5, is on a successful TV show called "The Voice" and appeals to a younger audience just like the others you listed. At any rate, there are alot of exotic cars available to the music & video industry, and every video doesn't feature a car.
As for the "hero car" in Ironman, I don't think the consolidated marketing budgets of FFR, BDR, KMP, CSX, SPF and ERA is even a fraction of the marketing budget of VW/Audi/Porsche. That's why the Audi is the "hero car" in alot of today's movies.
And one more movie, "Fast 5," used both a Mongoose '63 Grand Sport replica and a RCR GT40 replica, both considered "hobby cars."
Audi is a real production car and company. These Cobras are fakes and recreated all over the world.
In Fast 5, the cars were supposed to represent the real cars. That's why they were stealing them. I missed the scene where Dom tell Brian, "Hey, those are kit cars. Be careful."
Audi is a real production car and company. These Cobras are fakes and recreated all over the world.
In Fast 5, the cars were supposed to represent the real cars. That's why they were stealing them. I missed the scene where Dom tell Brian, "Hey, those are kit cars. Be careful."
You're missing my point(s) or I'm not making them clearly enough.
Of course, Audi is a real production car company. And they have a massive budget too. The Cobra and other hobby car companies do not have a large budget. They simply don't make a lot of money. Audi pays for product placement, because they can afford to. ERA, FFR, RCR, SPF, KMP, CSX, etc. just can't play in the same marketing environment as Audi. That's why they're not in more videos and movies. For the same reason, their websites aren't spectacular like a real production car company.
Further, you said Audi is the "hero car" in Ironman. I agree. You said Cobra's (and hobby kit cars) should be featured in more videos and movies. I showed that they have been in some videos and movies. Bottom line is that if you see a car in a movie, say like an Audi, or a hobby car like RCR or Mongoose, the consumer might go out and purchase one. The consumer knows it's not a real authentic GT40 that is worth a $1MM. It doesn't matter what they represent. The idea is that they may purchase one because they like it, it may be affordable, and thus they'll investigate owning one.
When the audience is watching Fast & Furious and it features an old car, do you think the audience thinks it's a genuine priceless '63 Grand Sport where GM only made 6 (might be less, not sure) they're smashing up?
When the audience is watching Fast & Furious and it features an old car, do you think the audience thinks it's a genuine priceless '63 Grand Sport where GM only made 6 (might be less, not sure) they're smashing up?
I'm quoting myself so I don't pass along bad info.
There were five (5) 1963 Grand Sport Corvettes. Two (2) of them were roadsters.
You're missing my point(s) or I'm not making them clearly enough.
Of course, Audi is a real production car company. And they have a massive budget too. The Cobra and other hobby car companies do not have a large budget. They simply don't make a lot of money. Audi pays for product placement, because they can afford to. ERA, FFR, RCR, SPF, KMP, CSX, etc. just can't play in the same marketing environment as Audi. That's why they're not in more videos and movies. For the same reason, their websites aren't spectacular like a real production car company.
Further, you said Audi is the "hero car" in Ironman. I agree. You said Cobra's (and hobby kit cars) should be featured in more videos and movies. I showed that they have been in some videos and movies. Bottom line is that if you see a car in a movie, say like an Audi, or a hobby car like RCR or Mongoose, the consumer might go out and purchase one. The consumer knows it's not a real authentic GT40 that is worth a $1MM. It doesn't matter what they represent. The idea is that they may purchase one because they like it, it may be affordable, and thus they'll investigate owning one.
When the audience is watching Fast & Furious and it features an old car, do you think the audience thinks it's a genuine priceless '63 Grand Sport where GM only made 6 (might be less, not sure) they're smashing up?
my point is the Cobra replica business will be end up in junk yards if they don't change or adapt to the new playing field.
The computer tablet has been around since the 1980s and it failed in the consumer market until Steve Jobs and Apple reinvented the tablet and made it cool and a must have item.
But I have no dog in this fight. It's financially better for me if the Cobra market falls in 10, 15 years.
my point is the Cobra replica business will be end up in junk yards if they don't change or adapt to the new playing field.
The computer tablet has been around since the 1980s and it failed in the consumer market until Steve Jobs and Apple reinvented the tablet and made it cool and a must have item.
But I have no dog in this fight. It's financially better for me if the Cobra market falls in 10, 15 years.
I can appreciate your point, but let me continue taking the other side of this debate.
First, Cobras and other hobby-type or kit cars will probably always be a small niche market. The cars do not meet current emission and Federal safety standards. So, state inspections and licensing will be difficult in most states. As an example, CA has a maximum of 500 new SPCNS (SPecially-Constructed) registrations each year. And there are many hoops to go through to get one.
Second, since this is a small niche market, there isn't alot of profit to be made. Thus, marketing budgets will almost always be small.
Third, one could argue that the Cobra and hobby-type car manufacturers are changing with the times. Examples are:
RCR (Race Car Replicas). I'm no expert of their history, but the owner Fran has introduced other kits like D-type Jaguars and the racy modern looking SL-C.
FFR has introduced the '33 Hot Rod and the GTM.
Kirkham was exploring offering an odd-type vehicle for the Greece-market some time ago, but I don't know what happened to that vehicle and whether it got off the ground. But, starting with Jamo's KMP, Kirkham did introduce the BNL (bare naked lady) option, which was no paint and a brushed or polished finish, which most customers opt for now. Actually, quite modern, since most old-timers prefer painted Cobras. And of course, they introduced the lighter stronger billet-aluminum suspension and other improvements over the years.
SPF and BDR now offer 18" wheels and BDR offers really interesting and unique new colors and the RT3 GT Cobra. SPF started offering the GM-licensed '63 Grand Sport replicas. Also, SPF also has just recently introduced a 289 model as did ERA.
CSX? They've built and marketed 50th Anniversary editions of both the 427 and 289 models.
Is this "changing with the times," adapting and/or reinvention? It's not radical change, but the needle is pointing somewhere on the proverbial "change-o-meter." And while I know you just picked a prominent example with Apple and Steve Jobs, but seriously, you're talking about one of the greatest companies and visionaries of the 20th and/or 21st century. The owners of the Cobra and hobby-type car manufacturers are smart and fine gentlemen, but that's not an apple-to-apples comparison.
Bottom line: Cobra's and other hobby-type cars have been around for 30-40-50 years, so I think they'll survive in some form in the future.
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