Misconceptions

[olddog]

If the blow hard is ignorant ( or low IQ) and truly believes what is spewing forth, I generally feel sorry for them. It must be hard going through life with such a handicap.

If the blow hard knows full well the truth and spews lies for their ego, or entertainment they are despicable. If they do it to dupe someone into paying too much for a car, they are a despicable thief. It is a shame that laws protect these people.

[1985 CCX]

CSX2000 is the original.
The rest are replicas.

Let the games begin.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

CSX2000 is the original.
The rest are replicas.

Let the games begin.

That argument can definitely be made.

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

CSX2000 is the original.
The rest are replicas.
Let the games begin.

I have no idea what is to discuss for 7 pages after this true statement!

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Tommy

I was at a local cruise-in Saturday when I met a nice guy who showed up in a Superformance Cobra replica. He described it as a 15 year old car that he had acquired from the original owner about four months ago. The original owner seldom drove the car, preferring to trailer it to car shows, so it was in very good condition despite its age. He described the drivetrain as a 427 Cleveland backed by a Tremec 5-speed..

The owner was a very talkative guy who plainly enjoyed telling people about his new toy. And he had apparently heard a lot from the original owner as well as others. Unfortunately, he was either misinformed or misunderstood some of what he had learned. Without overtly declaring his brand of replica was better than others, here are a few of his beliefs:
- His Superformance was not a “kit car” because it came complete from the factory with engine, transmission, wheels and tires.
- His Superformance was the only brand approved by Carroll Shelby because it was a nuts and bolts accurate reproduction of the original cars from the 1960s.

I tried to explain that all Cobra replicas are “kit cars” in the sense that federal law prohibits manufacturers from selling complete cars that do not comply with all contemporary safety rules, so even the most complete kits lack engines, transmissions, wheels and tires. I also expressed the opinion that Shelby’s company would give its blessing to any brand or product that paid enough.

My point in sharing this conversation is to express the opinion that many of the misconceptions about Cobra replicas are being fed by the comments of replica owners (and sellers) who want the uninformed public to think that their particular replica is for some reason better than most of the others. In the early days of Cobra replicas (i.e., 1980s), when a Cobra shaped car of any kind, real or replica, was rare, I suspect there was an element of pride in the hearts of those who had the courage, skill and determination to build a replica. But as the number of replicas has boomed, the aura of skill required to build one has diminished. It began to look like anyone with a garage and some cash could do it.

When I first joined this forum in 2002, it felt like most of the people who posted regularly knew something about how cars work. People understood things like brake pedal ratios, corner weights and the dangers of working around a car with quick jacks. But the success of companies like Superformance and Shelby has changed the demographic of Cobra replica owners. I sense that many new owners know little more about their cars than the typical owner of a new Corvette or Mustang. For them there is comfort in believing that their cars were built by a factory worker rather than some unknown guy in his home garage. And that comfort has led them to believe that their cars are inherently superior to other brands.

I suspect it is human nature for most of us to think that what we have is better than what you have, and I doubt this post will change any of that. But I will encourage all to keep in mind that anytime you start believing your car is better than all others because of its brand, someone will come along to prove you wrong. Somewhere out there is a home built Cobra replica we can all laugh at, but there is also one better than any mass produced car.

The public is by and large ignorant about Cobras and replicas thereof compared to the knowledge base of many here (except those that still think Chevy power belongs in a Cobra replica). The owner of the Spf that Tommy is talking about is obviously still ignorant in many respects and hasn't educated himself on Cobras or replicas or their history. He sounds like he has a superficial knowledge base as does much of the public.

What is "better" is subject to many interpretations. What does "better" mean? You tell me what "better" means in any particular case I tell you whether I agree your car fits that definition. Is it based on objective factors or subjective and/or intangible factors?

"Kit" has a different definitions. Are you using the dictionary definition or commonly understood meaning of Kit or SAAC's definition? If original cars were being made today in the same fashion they would be "kits" according to some definitions.

Bottom line. There is nothing wrong with thinking your car is better than others. You obviously would have bought something else had you thought otherwise finances permitting. Even if finances don't permit some cars are better than others depending on the measuring stick being used. Sometimes it is better because of brand because that's what's important to you.

You can think your car is better than mine. Chances are I think mine is better than yours. Thinking your car is better is a different issue than mis-representing what it is.

Where's the issue here?

[mdross1]

Well said Tommy, it took me a while after discovering this site to understand all the negativity towards certain kits. Thankfully on the right track knowing how some people think no need to waste time trying to change that.

[trularin]

By reading the comments posted in this thread, it is evident even owners of cobras have challenged information.

A true character study for us to understand the public as they 'AWE' at the classic lines and heart pounding exhaust.

I find many do not know what it is.

Tru

[Ron61]

Tru,

I also think that part of the problem is the old kits which weren't very good or safe in many instances. The ones now are far superior to those old ones and many people make them even better with their modifications. About any kit can be made into a very good car now if whoever builds it takes the time to do a good job and changes anything that isn't good. That friend of mine that is building the GT-40 has done some fantastic modifications on it and he added a rear camera so he can see what is behind him along with other modifications, some of which the company has now incorporated into their kits. I think Kirkham and Shelby Cobras will always be the top of the line, especially if anyone wants to sell theirs later on, but I have seen some really great ERA, Factory Five, Superformance and other cars at the shows.

Ron

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Tru,

I also think that part of the problem is the old kits which weren't very good or safe in many instances. The ones now are far superior to those old ones and many people make them even better with their modifications. About any kit can be made into a very good car now if whoever builds it takes the time to do a good job and changes anything that isn't good. That friend of mine that is building the GT-40 has done some fantastic modifications on it and he added a rear camera so he can see what is behind him along with other modifications, some of which the company has now incorporated into their kits. I think Kirkham and Shelby Cobras will always be the top of the line, especially if anyone wants to sell theirs later on, but I have seen some really great ERA, Factory Five, Superformance and other cars at the shows.

Ron

Regardless of the quality of the kit or roller, I'm more concerned about the folks who build, modify or maintain these cars who don't seem to know the difference between a pipe wrench and a torque wrench. In the 15 months since purchasing my car I've torn apart and re-built a lot of stuff that just made me shake my head, including:

• 1/2 of rear main seal installed backwards
• gas tank rollover valve installed backwards
• valve lash set as if the lifters were solid - and they're hydraulic
• gas tank not properly vented
• emergency flash wire cut under the dash
• brake lights didn't work unless ignition was on
• shifter lever making solid contact with tunnel opening so it wouldn't fully engage 5th gear
• one muffler insert was installed with louvers facing forward, the other facing backward
• etc.

Yikes. All fixed now.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

Regardless of the quality of the kit or roller, I'm more concerned about the folks who build, modify or maintain these cars who don't seem to know the difference between a pipe wrench and a torque wrench.

What's your concern? Those of us that are technically-challenged should be rounded up and put in detention camps?

[Ron61]

I agree with you 100%. The things that I don't have the room or equipment or actual experience to do I have done by people that know what they are doing and how to do it. I had my Coupe completely gone through by a very knowledgeable and good mechanic and it was then tuned by Robello Racing. I can do most of the regular things but when it came to the tuning and some of the more complicated things I wanted it done correctly as I raced it some and drive it hard. I did get scales and had it corner balanced as well. The few people that we still have around here who have these cars do much the same as I do.

Ron





QUOTE=cycleguy55;1362977]Regardless of the quality of the kit or roller, I'm more concerned about the folks who build, modify or maintain these cars who don't seem to know the difference between a pipe wrench and a torque wrench. In the 15 months since purchasing my car I've torn apart and re-built a lot of stuff that just made me shake my head, including:

• 1/2 of rear main seal installed backwards
• gas tank rollover valve installed backwards
• valve lash set as if the lifters were solid - and they're hydraulic
• gas tank not properly vented
• emergency flash wire cut under the dash
• brake lights didn't work unless ignition was on
• shifter lever making solid contact with tunnel opening so it wouldn't fully engage 5th gear
• one muffler insert was installed with louvers facing forward, the other facing backward
• etc.

Yikes. All fixed now.[/quote]

[TimG427]

If CSX 2000 is the only real one, I'm never going to have a real one..........

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by Tommy

I was at a local cruise-in Saturday when I met a nice guy who showed up in a Superformance Cobra replica. ...... The original owner seldom drove the car, preferring to trailer it to car shows,.......

This baffles me. To own a car only to drive a lumbering truck and pull it around behind you. It's like having a trophy wife and separate bedrooms. 'Good night babe. See you in the morning'

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFEKR9p33qA[/ame]

Go figure.

[REAL 1]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/vqClWdOcWog"

Its more like this for me now. Enjoy way more. That's why I stopped trailering it around.

[Turbonut48]

I used to work with a guy who always had the best, the fastest, the best deal, it didn't matter what it was.
What you had was ****.

The Nut

[Tim7139]

I don't know, maybe I'm an outlier here but there's a lot of assumption in the OP's comments.
First of all there are boorish people that own cobra's, ferraris, and F150 pickup's. To read much into the ownerships demographics and/or knowledge base is based on what exactly?
Also while everybody should embrace whatever approach blows their skirt up, last I heard a "kit" is just that, a partial or full collection of parts or pieces constructed by you, others, amateurs or pros. I built a lot of models from "kits". Some guys build cars from "kits". Long standing factories, in anything, usually beat Joe-Bob, plumber by day.
This is a free market for these cars and there are reasons for a wide price strata.
Your car is your car and if you believe it's the absolute best for whatever reason, hey, great country, have fun, the broad generalizations kinda get a little dicy.

And FWIW I've spent decades in the financial world, so misconceptions and dealing with them is just a part of life. I always figured it was their world, we just get to live in it.

[Tommy]

Technically challenged = ramming a screw driver through the oil filter to get it off.
Stupid = ramming a screw driver through the oil filter to get it on.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Tommy

Technically challenged = ramming a screw driver through the oil filter to get it off.
Stupid = ramming a screw driver through the oil filter to get it on.

And then there was this one time, when I was changing the oil and filter, and somehow, after leaving the garage for a few minutes with the oil draining, I came back to my garage with the garage floor looking as if I had reenacted the Exxon Valdez disaster.

Those drain pans are REALLY difficult to line-up with the drain hole for the ENTIRE duration of the oil draining completely out of the pan.

Ahh, the memories of the technically-challenged. So, that's how I learned NOT to change my oil anymore. Checking my oil hasn't proved to be a challenge yet though. So, I still do that.

[Jamo]

Evan...leave the politics at home. Thanks.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Evan...leave the politics at home. Thanks.

Just checking to see if your paying attention.