Cobra Attention

wkooiman · #1 (**permalink**) 02-17-2015, 08:06 PM

I had heard that the Cobra would draw attention, but holy crap!

I have a 2001 Viper GTS ACR (for sale - to make room for the Cobra). I get some "nice car" comments, and a few waves, but mostly, "What is it worth?" Women ignore it. It is nice to drive in traffic, though, because people usually make room for me.

I have a 1972 DeTomaso Pantera (keeper). Again mostly the guys, but some women, "Wow! What is it?" People hang out the window taking pictures as I'm going down the road. The biggest annoyance is people that "pace" me. They drive in my blind spot checking it out - for 20-30 miles at a time. Cops give me a thumbs up - as I'm going 15mph over the limit.

My wife has a Porsche Boxster. Getting honked at or flipped off is a regular occurrence, and is usually not instigated by my wife. Once a guy rear-ended her, just because he was mad that she passed him. Another time, someone got out of his car, and walked toward her flipping her off with both hands.

Now, the Cobra. It is crazy how much attention this car draws - much more than any other car I've owned. I drove it to Panera Bread last Saturday and 2 kids were fighting over who got to take their picture in front of it. I drove it to Orlando on Sunday so that my neighbors could use it in their wedding. The crowd went crazy when they drove up. The wedding party serenaded the bride/groom. I can't park anywhere without someone going nuts over it.

I made the mistake of telling my wife... When people see the Viper they wave. When they see the Porsche, they wave, but they only use 1 finger. When they see the Cobra, women show their breasts. "So, they do, do they?" I sheepishly said, "Yes. Now do you know why I wanted a big block?"

cycleguy55 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-17-2015, 08:19 PM

You'd probably enjoy reading this thread, but be warned - it was started in 2003 and it's now 64 pages: What is the LATEST recognition your Cobra has had recently?

G-Pete · #3 (**permalink**) 02-18-2015, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkooiman

My wife has a Porsche Boxster.

This is a problem, get her a 911 and all the bad attitude stops - guaranteed!

NOS-EDDIE · #4 (**permalink**) 02-18-2015, 06:08 AM

In 1987 I had just got my firstERA on the road. At the same time my buddy bought a new 911 Turbo Porsche. He wanted to cruise to UConn.,his Alma Mater and get ice cream. When we got there cameras came out (no cell phones then) and he was politely asked to move his car as they didn't want it in the picture. Never once did he ask to cruise with me again,although he still has car today.....!!

Ron61 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-18-2015, 06:24 AM

The Cobras do draw a lot of attention. I don't like to drive on the freeway here as people will force me off the road looking at it and they just keep edging closer to me. When you go to a gas station be prepared for a crowd to come over if there are any others there at the time. But you get to meet a lot of people that way.

Ron

Joe's Garage · #6 (**permalink**) 02-18-2015, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkooiman

I had heard that the Cobra would draw attention, but holy crap!

I have a 2001 Viper GTS ACR (for sale - to make room for the Cobra). I get some "nice car" comments, and a few waves, but mostly, "What is it worth?" Women ignore it. It is nice to drive in traffic, though, because people usually make room for me.

I have a 1972 DeTomaso Pantera (keeper). Again mostly the guys, but some women, "Wow! What is it?" People hang out the window taking pictures as I'm going down the road. The biggest annoyance is people that "pace" me. They drive in my blind spot checking it out - for 20-30 miles at a time. Cops give me a thumbs up - as I'm going 15mph over the limit.

My wife has a Porsche Boxster. Getting honked at or flipped off is a regular occurrence, and is usually not instigated by my wife. Once a guy rear-ended her, just because he was made that she passed him. Another time, someone got out of his car, and walked toward her flipping her off with both hands.

Now, the Cobra. It is crazy how much attention this car draws - much more than any other car I've owned. I drove it to Panera Bread last Saturday and 2 kids were fighting over who got to take their picture in front of it. I drove it to Orlando on Sunday so that my neighbors could use it in their wedding. The crowd went crazy when they drove up. The wedding party serenaded the bride/groom. I can't park anywhere without someone going nuts over it.

I made the mistake of telling my wife... When people see the Viper they wave. When they see the Porsche, they wave, but they only use 1 finger. When they see the Cobra, women show their breasts. "So, they do, do they?" I sheepishly said, "Yes. Now do you know why I wanted a big block?" Live from the NBC News anchor desk, 30 Rockefeller Center New York, Brian Williams reporting.

........

D-CEL · #7 (**permalink**) 02-18-2015, 07:13 AM

"Blind spotting" is the everyday nuisance of Cobra driving. Just know someone will be there!

Jason

wkooiman · #8 (**permalink**) 02-18-2015, 08:00 PM

I have read the latest recognition thread before. I reread it when I can't sleep.

I warned my wife about the side pipes. I warned her twice. My pipes were hotter than normal because the timing was off. The car was still fairly new to me, and the timing was still too retarded. She burned a silver dollar sized blister on her leg.

She texted her trainer (car guy) and said that she got bit by the Cobra. He (Austrailian) said, "Send me a pic of the beast!" She sent a picture of her leg. He didn't have the heart to say, "Not your leg mate! I wanted a pic of the cah!" We had dinner with him and his wife a month later. The Cobra bit him too.

I'm going to paint 2 legs on the side of the Cobra - keeping score.

mdross1 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-19-2015, 04:47 AM

The only time it has been a pain for me, once was running a little late and needed to stop for fuel all pumps were being used by the time I pulled out of there it had made me late.
A good friends says "That's the Hazards of the Business"

Bernica · #10 (**permalink**) 02-19-2015, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron61

The Cobras do draw a lot of attention. I don'r like to drive on the freeway here as people will force me off the road looking at it and they just keep edging closer to me. When you go to a gas station be prepared for a crowd to come over if there are any others there at the time. But you get to meet a lot of people that way.

Ron

Yup, you will get folks on the freeway trying to get close to take pics and not paying attention to the road, so watch for that.

In my case, as I think I have said on another thread, all the local cops know the car well and actually have pics of it at their station. Fortunately, they are car guys. When I have it out to play, they said they call each other on the radio because they can hear it several blocks away. Pretty hard to hide, especially when you have a couple of big #5's on it. When I stop for gas, it's always something of an event.

STEVE-O · #11 (**permalink**) 02-20-2015, 05:54 AM

True it gets a lot of attention, but it wont be long before you get tired of them asking "is that a kit car?" and " which kit is it?". If you go to a car show it always gets pushed into some non descriptive category like "special interest" along with motorized bar stools, Fiero based Ferrari's or high powered modified riding mowers.

Detroit Bill · #12 (**permalink**) 02-20-2015, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEVE-O

True it gets a lot of attention, but it wont be long before you get tired of them asking "is that a kit car?" and " which kit is it?". If you go to a car show it always gets pushed into some non descriptive category like "special interest" along with motorized bar stools, Fiero based Ferrari's or high powered modified riding mowers.

Serious?

trularin · #13 (**permalink**) 02-20-2015, 07:46 AM

Wow Steve,

I am sorry to hear your car is set aside like that. I usually have positive responses - with the exception of a few Vipers and Audi. North bound I75 around Chrysler World headquarters there are a few disappointed drivers...LOL.

And ever since Iron Man came out, the number of Audi drivers wanting to "try the cobra" has increased.

I don't get the setting aside like it is an off brand go-kart.

Tru

Ron61 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-20-2015, 08:05 AM

Our police station is right next to my upper lot and about 200' from my driveway. Many of our police are car guys and they always look when they pull out to see if my garage door is open. I have taken pictures of the 69 in front of the station and then they all came out to look it over.

As for car shows, the 69 Cobra goes into the stock class and the special construction class as that is what they have to be registered as in this state. I have never had a problem when I took any of mine to a show except once when some guy with a Corvette threatened to leave if they made him park next to the Cobras.

Ron

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernica

Yup, you will get folks on the freeway trying to get close to take pics and not paying attention to the road, so watch for that.

In my case, as I think I have said on another thread, all the local cops know the car well and actually have pics of it at their station. Fortunately, they are car guys. When I have it out to play, they said they call each other on the radio because they can hear it several blocks away. Pretty hard to hide, especially when you have a couple of big #5's on it. When I stop for gas, it's always something of an event.

mdross1 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-21-2015, 03:50 AM

Around here our Cobra gets put in with the Hot Rods I feel it belongs there. We stopped entering our cars years ago call it burned out,we did it for a lot of years. We love being in the car putting miles on, it is now more enjoyable.

wkooiman · #16 (**permalink**) 02-21-2015, 05:40 AM

I have only had my car for about 2 months, but mostly I've gotten... "What year is it?" and "Is it real?". I normally say, "It's a replica of a 65 427 Cobra." They sometimes say, "It's a kit car? Seriously? It looks like an original" - like they would know.

I have had one, "Does it have nitrous?" and many many thumbs up, nice car, etc.

It hasn't gotten old yet, but I don't have a good answer to "is it real" that doesn't turn into a conversation. I'm not anti-social, but I want to limit talking time in order to maximize driving time.

Mine is a Contemporary, 428FE, red w/white stripes, Trigo knockoffs, and Goodyear BBs.

G-Pete · #17 (**permalink**) 02-21-2015, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkooiman

Mine is a Contemporary, 428FE, red w/white stripes, Trigo knockoffs, and Goodyear BBs.

How about a picture of your car?

wkooiman · #18 (**permalink**) 03-01-2015, 08:29 PM

Just added pics to my signature. Sorry for the delay. We just got home from skiing in Colorado.

Waiting for me (from UPS) was a pair of QFT carburetors to go with a tunnel wedge. Once I get the parts I need, I'm removing the engine to repair a leaky rear main. While it is out, I'm adding the TW and maybe a solid cam.