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

[1ntCobra]

I was just looking around and found a Cobra coffee mug that I got at Shelby in Vegas years ago. It says "OWN THE REAL THING". Note: the capitalization of letters in that quote is as found on the mug and I am not trying to shout. Hmm, Shelby American is definitely stating that their newfangled Shelby Cobras (continuation, replica or however you like describe them) are REAL Shelby Cobras.

Of course I got that coffee mug at the old original Shelby location in Vegas near the racetrack, not the new less original location closer to the casinos. I am pretty sure that everyone here will agree that my coffee mug bought at the old location is better than any replica mug purchased from the gift shop at the new location regardless of the materials or suppliers used to make any of the newer replica mugs, but that is getting off track a bit.

You know if I went to a car show and my dad asked me if a car he is pointing at is a "real" cobra, I would probably say "no" if that car was not an original cobra from the 1960s. I might also say it is not a "real" cobra because he is probably pointing at a Miata or a Corvette anyway.

Yet my coffee mug, a great source of wisdom and authority from Shelby himself says that his newfangled cobras are "REAL" too. Perhaps this is just a matter of capitalization? Maybe the cars from the 1960s are "real" Shelby Cobras, but the continuations are "REAL" Shelby Cobras. Hmm, no, it cannot be that simple.

So I am going to have to conclude that continuation cobras are both "real" and "not real" at the same time. It is a paradox. A great mystery of the universe.

I also conclude that Joe's Garage, Evan, Thor and friends are all equally right in their thoughts. Further they are all cuddly and lovable and yet extremely annoying at the same time. On no is that another paradox? I just hope that these paradoxes don't cause the universe to start to unravel.

[1ntCobra]

Sometimes I find it useful to quote myself instead of the SAAC registry.

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

I was just looking around and found a Cobra coffee mug that I got at Shelby in Vegas years ago. It says "OWN THE REAL THING". Note: the capitalization of letters in that quote is as found on the mug and I am not trying to shout. Hmm, Shelby American is definitely stating that their newfangled Shelby Cobras (continuation, replica or however you like describe them) are REAL Shelby Cobras.

Of course I got that coffee mug at the old original Shelby location in Vegas near the racetrack, not the new less original location closer to the casinos. I am pretty sure that everyone here will agree that my coffee mug bought at the old location is better than any replica mug purchased from the gift shop at the new location regardless of the materials or suppliers used to make any of the newer replica mugs, but that is getting off track a bit.

You know if I went to a car show and my dad asked me if a car he is pointing at is a "real" cobra, I would probably say "no" if that car was not an original cobra from the 1960s. I might also say it is not a "real" cobra because he is probably pointing at a Miata or a Corvette anyway.

Yet my coffee mug, a great source of wisdom and authority from Shelby himself says that his newfangled cobras are "REAL" too. Perhaps this is just a matter of capitalization? Maybe the cars from the 1960s are "real" Shelby Cobras, but the continuations are "REAL" Shelby Cobras. Hmm, no, it cannot be that simple.

So I am going to have to conclude that continuation cobras are both "real" and "not real" at the same time. It is a paradox. A great mystery of the universe.

I also conclude that Joe's Garage, Evan, Thor and friends are all equally right in their thoughts. Further they are all cuddly and lovable and yet extremely annoying at the same time. On no is that another paradox? I just hope that these paradoxes don't cause the universe to start to unravel.

Considering that Shelby American (at least back in the Amy B days) used the slogan "OWN THE REAL THING", it is quite possible that Carroll Shelby himself approved of calling the continuation Cobras, "the real thing". Now that might imply that continuation Cobras are Coke-a-Cola, but more likely I think it might imply that they are likely "real" Shelby Cobras.

Evan,

If Carroll Shelby used the term "real" to describe his continuation Shelby Cobras I think he would be OK with you calling your car "real" too. Why do you need SAAC's approval if the Shelby himself thought it was OK. If the man was OK with "real", I guess I am OK with it too.

Now if you call your car "original" or claim that Carroll personally installed your hood scoop to get the rivet patter just right, I am going to be upset with you. I will be watching to keep you in line...

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

Sometimes I find it useful to quote myself instead of the SAAC registry.



Considering that Shelby American (at least back in the Amy B days) used the slogan "OWN THE REAL THING", it is quite possible that Carroll Shelby himself approved of calling the continuation Cobras, "the real thing". Now that might imply that continuation Cobras are Coke-a-Cola, but more likely I think it might imply that they are likely "real" Shelby Cobras.

Evan,

If Carroll Shelby used the term "real" to describe his continuation Shelby Cobras I think he would be OK with you calling your car "real" too. Why do you need SAAC's approval if the Shelby himself thought it was OK. If the man was OK with "real", I guess I am OK with it too.

Now if you call your car "original" or claim that Carroll personally installed your hood scoop to get the rivet patter just right, I am going to be upset with you. I will be watching to keep you in line...

I hope my SAAC friends are not paying attention... If you are and want to unfriend me on facebook, remember my real name is, umm, Bill, wait no, ... how about, Vernon, ... ah yeah that's it.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

If Carroll Shelby used the term "real" to describe his continuation Shelby Cobras I think he would be OK with you calling your car "real" too. Why do you need SAAC's approval if the Shelby himself thought it was OK. If the man was OK with "real", I guess I am OK with it too.

Now if you call your car "original" or claim that Carroll personally installed your hood scoop to get the rivet patter just right, I am going to be upset with you. I will be watching to keep you in line...

The night I bought my Cobra at Barrett Jackson was before the time in the auction when we sold a car with proceeds to the Shelby Foundation. I spoke with Carroll on the phone and we chatted about the donation, etc. Then I told him I'd bought a CSX Cobra a few hours before [thankfully the TV coverage blinked for a commercial and I got to tell my wife on the phone instead of the camera that was shoved in my face]. Carroll was more excited about me getting the CSX4005LA car than the donation. He congratulated me on getting a real cobra, but was more intrigued that it was one of the HST Carbon Fiber cars and said he thought they were some of the best looking ones. I still think the quality of the finish was excellent. That was probably due to the clientele that HST was working with for that group of cars.