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

[Al G]

I actually think this entire thread is about the wrong question. We should be discussing this one.

Why do owners of cars not built by Shelby Anerican refer to their cars as Cobras?

I see it all the time here. I see it at car shows where owners fill out the information card identifying their car as a Cobra. Very rarely do I see the word "replica" in those cases. Some owners even have audicity to use the word "Shelby."

[Xack]

deleted

[ERANJ]

Originally Posted by Xack

Owning a "real" Cobra defines Evan, or at least he's allowed that to happen. If you oppose that, then you oppose his definition of himself. If he acknowledges that he will cease to exist. You've reduced yourself to a paradox pal. Congratulations!

Amazing that many here have resorted to attacking the guy personally because he has made valid arguments or those that attack cannot prove otherwise and resort to twisting his words. I can see how it angers many that CSX Continuation cars are real Shelby Cobras (truly amazing how it enrages some) to quote a few here. I can bet if he choose to he could acquire on of the 998 as referred to....and how would he be attacked then?

Very transparent indeed.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ERANJ

Amazing that many here have resorted to attacking the guy personally because he has made valid arguments or those that attack cannot prove otherwise and resort to twisting his words. I can see how it angers many that CSX Continuation cars are real Shelby Cobras (truly amazing how it enrages some) to quote a few here. I can bet if he choose to he could acquire on of the 998 as referred to....and how would he be attacked then?

Very transparent indeed.

ERANJ, Evan gets some abuse, often deserved so, for insulting others over the course of 50+ pages. One of Evan's original insults, was his use of "wheat versus chaff." The CSX4000 is "wheat" and the rest of our cars are "chaff." That's one of the original ones that helped kick off this thread as well as two other threads started by Evan when he was heated. He's thrown around several insults, so he's not blameless.

[Nedsel]

Here's a new one: I wonder how many people here are aware that back when Shelby was buying Kirkhams to make them into Shelby Cobras, he had the chutzpah to sue the Kirkhams for copyright infringement. Now there's a good story: "Hey, I'd like to buy some of them Cobras you're making, cause they are better than anything I can currently get elsewhere." "OK." Hey, wait - those really look just like a Cobra! You bastards!"

[Blue66]

Shelby was always looking for a new opportunity to capitalize on.

[Jamo]

Oh hell yes...I remember that well. More than a few long calls with Provo and counsel for the Smiths and the folks in SA, who were also being sued...and Bob Marsh trying to mend wounds as the Old Man continued to open them up.

And it's good you bring that up Ned since many of the folks involved in the five dozen pages have no clue what the basis for many of these terminology issues really is. The fight over what is a replica and what isn't may have a passing importance here, but it was central to the legal issues raised by the Old Man in a variety of venues, with only moderate success. As far as the courts were concerned (generally), a replica is a replica is a replica.

...and yet Kirkhams were rolling down I-15 to Vegas on a regular basis.

History is more than a coloring book...you need the crayons to bring it to life.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Here's a new one: I wonder how many people here are aware that back when Shelby was buying Kirkhams to make them into Shelby Cobras, he had the chutzpah to sue the Kirkhams for copyright infringement. Now there's a good story: "Hey, I'd like to buy some of them Cobras you're making, cause they are better than anything I can currently get elsewhere." "OK." Hey, wait - those really look just like a Cobra! You bastards!"

Originally Posted by Jamo

Oh hell yes...I remember that well. More than a few long calls with Provo and counsel for the Smiths and the folks in SA, who were also being sued...and Bob Marsh trying to mend wounds as the Old Man continued to open them up.

Did this really happen?
Or are you guys pi55ing in our pockets?

[Nedsel]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Did this really happen?
Or are you guys pi55ing in our pockets?

Yes, it did happen. Truth. Belongs in the "Believe it or Not" files.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Yes, it did happen. Truth. Belongs in the "Believe it or Not" files.

Wow. I didn't have anything shelby on my cobra, bc quite frankly it's not a shelby. But if I did, I'm pretty sure I'd think twice about keeping them. Was the guy that big a flog...?

[Jaydee]

This is getting to be like a religious argument. One believes in something, the other believes in another. I believe I'll have another drink.
JD

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Wow. I didn't have anything shelby on my cobra, bc quite frankly it's not a Shelby. But if I did, I'm pretty sure I'd think twice about keeping them. Was the guy that big a flog...?

Mine "famously" (back during the legal wars) carries no bodging that references Shelby or Cobra (except for the Shelby manifold that Shelby cast its name on), and only refers to Kirkham on various items like the expansion tank and arruminum gearshift knob I stole from Davey boy. I could give a sh!t about anyone coming after me legally...actually dared them to. Marsh and I did a pic where he pretends to pry a Cobra emblem off the Butler I had. Let's just say there was a deficiency of respect for the Old Man back in those days that still lingers a bit in the minds of many that lived through it.

That's why these little amateurish word wars that continue in this thread are so so damn asinine, truth be told. Many of the current participants have no freeking clue.

...just saying, and having said that, it's been said.

[Jamo]

I see it now...they are real genuine Shelby Comp Cobras.

[jhv48]

Real genuine (but not original) Shelby comp cobras, sold as 1965 continuation component cobra replicas.

I think I get it now.


KIT CAR!

[JBCOBRA]

Shelby was the master at selling dreams and special Kool-ade

[CompClassics]

Sorry but this whole discussion seems to be based on who can call their vehicle a "Cobra" or not. It's pretty simple, those that payed for the privilege wether it be one of the original 998 or a later Continuation Series manufactured by Shelby American Inc. both have paid the price to have the right to call their vehicles "Cobras".

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by CompClassics

Sorry but this whole discussion seems to be based on who can call their vehicle a "Cobra" or not. It's pretty simple, those that payed for the privilege wether it be one of the original 998 or a later Continuation Series manufactured by Shelby American Inc. have paid the price to have the right to call their vehicles "Cobras".

Although I think no one will dispute Shelby has the sole legal right to use "Cobra" which is copyrighted. Does that copyright have legal reach to "Cobra Replica"?

[Blue66]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

Although I think no one will dispute Shelby has the sole legal right to use "Cobra" which is copyrighted. Does that copyright have legal reach to "Cobra Replica"?

Ask FFR ..

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

Although I think no one will dispute Shelby has the sole legal right to use "Cobra" which is copyrighted. Does that copyright have legal reach to "Cobra Replica"?

Anyone can use 'Cobra'. It is not trademarked for this type of product. It is trademarked for many things, but not a car. Shelby used to have it trademarked, but let it go. So everyone has a Cobra if they feel the need to use that term.

But on a more serious note; Yes, the 10 hours went by. I thought, I wrote, I didn't throw it in the garbage can. But during those 10 hours, listening to the Jeopardy think music, I transitioned to the ethereal plane. I became one with the universe... Oh, and I won that raffle for that VIN tag Cobra_Diver was raffling off. So now I own a real Cobra. Unlike the rest of you cretins. You lowly replica owners. You know who you are. I'm better than all a ya's. So there. And it only cost me $500 bucks!

[twobjshelbys]

Never mind. It's useless to argue against stupidity and ignorance

I thought this meeting was adjourned