Why does every thread here devolve into a "Real" vs. "Replica" argument?

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Paul F

This is why we have endless threads on this topic. A large portion of the Cobra kit car owners can't put their ego in check. They spent money on a Cobra kit car but they don't want anyone calling it a kit car. Be it Evan who calls himself REAL1 or a Kirkham or any of the other kits. Egos get it the way. They are kit cars. No matter what you think of the car you own, if it wasn't made in the 60s, its kit car. You can embellish that any way you like to feed your ego, but it won't change the facts.

Evan has found his salvation in the SAAC Registry. You need to find yours in something else. But no matter what you say, when the guy asks if its real, unless its a 60s Cobra, he will walk away disappointed that he is only looking at a kit car. Get over it or sell the car.

Now Evan will let us know that they don't walk away disappointed. He has convinced himself that they walk away in awe that they saw a genuine Shelby Cobra. Good for him. He has found a way to satisfy his ego. But when the guy turns around and walks away with his friend or son, they will look at each other and simultaneously say 'kit car'.

PaulF: Very good post as to the first paragraph. Except as to me, I once again I don't care about the term "Kit" or "replica" that's a red herring to me. Maybe you care about it but I don't. Further I need to clarify with regard to the balance. I don't care what the guy with his son say when they walk away. Couldn't care less really. I don't know if they really walk away disappointed and actually neither do you in every case. But I can tell you more often then not the smiles and picture taking seem to indicate they are not disappointed. In the end, however, the only thing important to me is what I think of my car.

Further, the Registry hasn't provided me "salvation". Factually, didn't need SAAC to tell me what my car is and the fact my car is a Shelby Cobra or genuine Shelby Cobra. Its just factually what it is and legally what it is. The World Registry just affirms this. It's actually you guys that need to find salvation in the fact you don't own "Cobras" but merely copies of one. Truth hurts. Just say'n.

Cheers.

[Blue66]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

I don't care what the guy with his son say when they walk away. Couldn't care less really. I don't know if they really walk away disappointed and actually neither do you in every case. But I can tell you more often then not the smiles and picture taking seem to indicate they are not disappointed. In the end, however, the only thing important to me is what I think of my car.


Cheers.

yup.. Take everything with a grain of salt.. My car has been called a Vette many times as guys have walked by the car.. Did it bother me ??? Hell no !! Guys just proven how stupid people can be. Last week an old lady stopped an looked at it. Looks over at me standing there an says "nice buggy ya have there". I did laugh an thanked her for the compliment. As we drive the car everywhere it does attract many people.. Pictures and can I stand in front of it for one are common.. Hell I even had a guy posing his dog with it. Guys have to chill. Its a damm car !!

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by Blue66

My car has been called a Vette many times as guys have walked by the car..

That's much worse than being called a kit.

[NewYorkGuy]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

... In the end, however, the only thing important to me is what I think of my car. ... It's actually you guys that need to find salvation in the fact you don't own "Cobras" but merely copies of one. Truth hurts. Just say'n.

Cheers.

lol
What about the time you stalked "Doctor Bob" for NOS Cobra parts for your replica?

Truth hurts. Just say'n.

NYG

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

lol
What about the time you stalked "Doctor Bob" for NOS Cobra parts for your replica?

Truth hurts. Just say'n.

NYG

Never said my car isn't a true replica. It is. You apparently don't follow along well.

BTW come back when you own a real car. Shoo....

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by Paul F

They spent money on a Cobra kit car but they don't want anyone calling it a kit car.

My Kit car was a "Most Assembly Required" Automobile.

[LMH]

Question: Does SAI have the rights to the name "Cobra"? I know Ford owns it and in the judges ruling posted here, he never refers to the current cars as "Cobra"(s).
Larry

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by LMH

Question: Does SAI have the rights to the name "Cobra"? I know Ford owns it and in the judges ruling posted here, he never refers to the current cars as "Cobra"(s).
Larry

Shelby American has the rights under agreement with Ford. The "ruling" as you refer to didn't deal with the trade mark issue. That was a different decision. The ruling only a small part of which was posted ruled in essence there was no distinctiveness in shape that was preserved or related back to Shelby since others began copying the shape and did so for such a long time it was not in the public domain and not worthy of protection any longer. Had Shelby acted years ago when the replica industry started he would have won the trade dress issue.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Shelby American has the rights under agreement with Ford. The "ruling" as you refer to didn't deal with the trade mark issue. That was a different decision. The ruling only a small part of which was posted ruled in essence there was no distinctiveness in shape that was preserved or related back to Shelby since others began copying the shape and did so for such a long time it was not in the public domain and not worthy of protection any longer. Had Shelby acted years ago when the replica industry started he would have won the trade dress issue.

Thanks!
Larry

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Shelby American has the rights under agreement with Ford. The "ruling" as you refer to didn't deal with the trade mark issue. That was a different decision. The ruling only a small part of which was posted ruled in essence there was no distinctiveness in shape that was preserved or related back to Shelby since others began copying the shape and did so for such a long time it was not in the public domain and not worthy of protection any longer. Had Shelby acted years ago when the replica industry started he would have won the trade dress issue.

Originally Posted by LMH

Thanks!
Larry

Larry, do not get sucked into Evan's misleading spin, little of what he says actually culminates into a factual interpretation of Shelby or his cars.

Case in point, although Evan has summarized the trade dress issue reasonably well, he closes with a totally ridiculous assumption -

Had Shelby acted years ago when the replica industry started he would have won the trade dress issue.

The truth is, AC Cars Ltd. were the creators of the 289 and 427 bodies, not Shelby. If AC Cars Ltd. got wind that Shelby was bringing a law suit against replica builders on the shape of the 427 (back then), a simple FAX from across the pond would have squashed Shelby and his bumbling legal team who thought they had sole rights to the cobra shape. Who knows what AC Cars Ltd. would have done back then, but when Shelby brought the case to court some 40 years later, they probably knew it was a no-win and just let the court dispense with Shelby and his frivolous suit accordingly.

[REAL 1]

Except for the fact that Shelby owned the rights to the Cobra name and produced Shelby Cobras. Any trade dress action would not have been aimed at AC who was allowed to build AC Cobras under license and permission of SAI but would have been directed to stop third parties.

Yes, I am making assumptions since it never actually occurred but I believe my assumptions are valid. I do believe SAI would have been able to win against third parties.

Not saying I own a real Shelby Cobra or anything but just addressing the trade dress issue as opposed to the trade mark issue.

[jhv48]

I had some time to do a little research.

Did you know that there are at least 37 States (possibly more, I just lost interest) that define (for vehicle registration purposes) what a "kit car" is?

And, guess what, every one of us (that doesn't own an original 60's era cobra) own kit cars. Go figure!

Also, anyone want to try and guess how many times Shelby Continuation Kit Cars have been featured in "Kit Car", "Complete Kit Car", "Kit Car Builder" or similar kit car magazines? I'll give you a hint, more than three times.

So, there you have it. The Government and "Kit Car Magazine" have spoken.

I thought of asking the Pope what he thought about the issue but he was too busy talking about the refugees, global warming, the environment and helping the poor to give us the church's opinion. Maybe next time I'm in Rome I'll try again.

Still won't satisfy REELKITCAR1!

Wait for it!

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

The truth is, AC Cars Ltd. were the creators of the 289 and 427 bodies, not Shelby. If AC Cars Ltd. got wind that Shelby was bringing a law suit against replica builders on the shape of the 427 (back then), a simple FAX from across the pond would have squashed Shelby and his bumbling legal team who thought they had sole rights to the cobra shape. Who knows what AC Cars Ltd. would have done back then, but when Shelby brought the case to court some 40 years later, they probably knew it was a no-win and just let the court dispense with Shelby and his frivolous suit accordingly.

OK, well, I guess I'll call BS on this. Are you in possession of any facts from AC that state this? Else it's just speculation and "gee it would have been nice if it had turned out that way". But it didn't. "Just the facts, m'am" [which Jack Webb never said], and any sentence with the word "probably" in it is not a fact.

[Xack]

I don't know about yours, Mine is real... It sits in my real garage taking up real space and it makes real sound when I start it up. It drinks real gas. And real women really appreciate it.... Oh yeah, I can really drive it, vs. put in on a real trailer.

Get real. It's NOT a collector site. It's a Cobra and Cobra replica enthusiast site...

[Kobura]

This is good. I think that NYG has suggested a vital part of the controversy. i.e., exhibiting evidence of being a wealthy person. So, if a car owner wants to show undeniable evidence of personal wealth, it is clear that the car should not be a Cobra, unless it is one that Shelby actually owned, since, like Rolexes, Cobras can be fakes.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Kobura

This is good. I think that NYG has suggested a vital part of the controversy. i.e., exhibiting evidence of being a wealthy person. So, if a car owner wants to show undeniable evidence of personal wealth, it is clear that the car should not be a Cobra, unless it is one that Shelby actually owned, since, like Rolexes, Cobras can be fakes.

So now it has to be a Cobra that Shelby actually owned to be a real Cobra? Say that I am misreading this. Please.

[Igofastr]

Oh no!

This thread has devolved into "my Rolex is more real than your Rolex."

I think I'm going to be sick.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Igofastr

Oh no!

This thread has devolved into "my Rolex is more real than your Rolex."

I think I'm going to be sick.

No, I think its devolved into Evan's balance sheet. We know some of his assets, like the 5 rolexes, Boss 302 Mustang, Shelby Cobra replica, Ford GT. At some point, maybe we'll get a clearer financial picture with debts and liabilities. So we can calculate equity.

[Igofastr]

Dimis,

I was thinking the same thing about owning a watch....pretty sure I don't even have one that works. Its probably been more than a decade since I even put one on.

Obviously, for some people, owning a Rolex is a status symbol. Mentioning that you have 5, and taking the time to point out an individual model, is, well....

My iPhone keeps pretty good time, and let me point out that it's an iphone 4, lest someone think I'm bragging.

Anyway, I looked into this thread out of a bit of morbid curiosity. It's become pretty much what I expected, though the Rolex turn was unanticipated.

[Dangerous Doug]

Wow! This thread has plumbed new depths... I have a new appreciation for the "Ignore List".

All I can say is, "The horror... The Horror!"

DD