And, so...what do YOU drive?

[joyridin']

For the 1 schmuck that says it is a kit, there are 100 other people that either believe it is real and are in awe, or know it is a fake and are still in awe.

I just ignore that one guy out of a hundred.

[Joe's Garage]

From the ERA website, 289 section -

THE KIT YOU CAN BUILD, EASILY!
KIT PRICE: $19,900

Building any kit replica involves a considerable commitment of money and time. Our personal goal is to protect your investment, as well as our reputation. The result: our standard assembly has almost every part either hinged, latched, or fit before it leaves the E.R.A. factory. The pictures at the right and below show how you really get your standard kit. We don't sell a stripped down kit.

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

From the ERA website, 289 section -

THE KIT YOU CAN BUILD, EASILY!
KIT PRICE: $19,900

Building any kit replica involves a considerable commitment of money and time. Our personal goal is to protect your investment, as well as our reputation. The result: our standard assembly has almost every part either hinged, latched, or fit before it leaves the E.R.A. factory. The pictures at the right and below show how you really get your standard kit. We don't sell a stripped down kit.

This relatively short excerpt from ERA's website uses the word "kit" 5 times. I have an ERA, so it must be a kit...

I'm not offended by the word at all. My favorite so far is someone asked me if it's real. I responded, as I always do, "No, it's a kit" (or replica, I use the two words interchangeably). His response was "Well, it's nice anyway"

[sunman]

Mark Twain said it best "Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story". Ya its real!!! And I got a ten or twenty for every bum I meet. Life's a b***h sometimes. Wyatt

[BADSN8K]

Ha love this..

When someone asks me "Is that a Kit?"

I reply NO..... KIT was the car David Hasselholf drove in the TV KNIGHT RIDER...

This here car is an ORIGINAL Backdraft!

Then the NEXT question "How much does it cost?"

I respond with a lot more than I every dreamed of paying for a fine classic Automobile!!!

[GregAgrest]

Lets face it, they are "kits" when we buy them. Then a ton of blood, sweat and tears go into the assembly of the kits and it's then a "replica". Certainly nothing to be ashamed of nor something to get upset over. It's a simple question by someone who obviously doesn't know the difference.

[LMH]

A few years ago, I was talking to the owners of 2492 and taking photo's of their car. I told his wife that anytime I can study an original, I'll take full advantage of the time. She said "thanks for knowing it's an original". I thought that was kind of funny when we deal with the "kit" question all the time. It really underscores just how oblivious civilians are about the Cobra world.
Larry

[wkooiman]

I mostly get "Is it real?" I guess that's just a nice way to say, "Nice car."

I normally respond with, "A real one is $2M. I'm not that rich."

They normally say, "How much is it worth? or How much did you pay for it?" Once I told a guy, "None of your business." I don't like people constantly asking me that. People treat you differently when they think you are rich. So, I normally downplay it - $40K or about the same as an SUV, but I have more fun in mine or something along those lines.

Nobody has asked if it's a kit.

I get a LOT of positive remarks - thumbs up, etc.

[fordracing65]

Are you Rich, that is a good one, I saw a guy, ask another man that, who was standing next to his McLaren wearing his gold Rolex, lol...

[patrickt]

I've noticed that over the last decade less and less people recognize what it is (or what it is a replica of). The older guys are slowly dying off, or becoming house-bound, and most of the younger ones have no idea what it is, just that it looks really cool. By the time my son takes over the keys, I doubt he'll ever hear "is that a kit?" More likely he'll just hear "wow, what is that?"

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I've noticed that over the last decade less and less people recognize what it is (or what it is a replica of). The older guys are slowly dying off, or becoming house-bound, and most of the younger ones have no idea what it is, just that it looks really cool. By the time my son takes over the keys, I doubt he'll ever hear "is that a kit?" More likely he'll just hear "wow, what is that?"

That is when he will explain, IT IS A KIT CAR, of a cobra...

[*13*]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I've noticed that over the last decade less and less people recognize what it is (or what it is a replica of). The older guys are slowly dying off, or becoming house-bound, and most of the younger ones have no idea what it is, just that it looks really cool. By the time my son takes over the keys, I doubt he'll ever hear "is that a kit?" More likely he'll just hear "wow, what is that?"

Regardless of age, half the people in our country (Vermont) don't know what it is. 60's must have been good to them!!!

[keezling]

Had a street corner cardboard sign beggar ask "is it real" and droop his head like he's disappointed when I said no. Needless to say it didn't sit well with me. I said "sorry to let you down" and the expression on his face of suddenly realizing his social standing was priceless... to his credit he "got it" pretty quickly.

[Winchester67]

I have driven classic iron for years, but only recently got a Backdraft Cobra. Same response I have given for years when asked what it cost: "I have no idea...I married well. And highly recommend it."

[750hp]

Originally Posted by keezling

Had a street corner cardboard sign beggar ask "is it real" and droop his head like he's disappointed when I said no. Needless to say it didn't sit well with me. I said "sorry to let you down" and the expression on his face of suddenly realizing his social standing was priceless... to his credit he "got it" pretty quickly.

Priceless - really?????
If reminding someone of their struggles while you're in your Cobra is priceless to you, well I'm sorry but that doesn't sit well with me.

We're pretty lucky to be able to drive these cars. Wouldn't it be nice if we could be humble and friendly to anyone who took the time to ask a question about your car?

[DanEC]

I guess with a typical ERA running around $80 to 90k complete - you could say "It's not real but it cost about 16 times more than the real ones did back then."

[mdross1]

Believe it or not after a while you will get to a point after hearing it so much it will not matter. We love our car enough and know exactly what it is and considering always that most people do not have a clue. Most express themselves because of what they have heard others say. Go with the Flow!

[keezling]

The beggar is a young able bodied man. Local farmers and business owners all say the same thing. They can't find anyone under 30 who will show up for work, or not be stoned if they do. They think working is for chumps. No pity from me. A woman here got tired of her potted plants getting stolen, put up a camera. They stole that!

[BAsque1]

I immediately answer "nope is a REPLICA" , I also have a nice poster with all the pertinent info about the car in anticipation to the questions that might sound either irritating or just dumb.
Lou

[Turbonut48]

I just tell them, when asked what its worth, I have it insured for $50k. That usually satisfys them.

The Nut