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

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

It's fun to quote Carroll and try to imagine what he may have meant by certain things he said, but let's also remember he insisted the titles to the 4000-series cars read "1965 Shelby Cobra." When pressed by the DMV about the fact that a 1965 car could clearly not realistically have been built 30 years later, Carroll responded that that was just the "model number" and had nothing to to with the year of the car's manufacture. Uh-huh. He had it all figured out.

That's good info and a nice little nugget to share, I don't doubt it for one second. We've all seen a smattering of posts where the vehicle registration of various owners shows '65 Cobra or '66 Cobra, but I don't remember if some showed '65/'66 Shelby Cobra. Seeing how this thread covers many things important besides cobras (watches, tractors, motorcycles, pens etc.), maybe some can post how their replica is registered. I tried a CC search and didn't have much luck, I'm sure there is a thread on this topic.

A question for you Ned, being in a position to possibly know. Did Carroll Shelby provide input into the Registry as it evolved and grew over time? My gut tells me he had to be a contributor in some capacity, but whether he had a say in the structure, vehicle classifications and content is unknown.

[trularin]

Hmmm...

There are some SSSSEEEENNNNSSIIIITTTIIIVVVVEEEE people when it comes to this subject.

Tru

[REAL 1]

My my. You guys are still trying to establish the current production Shelby Cobras are nothing more than mere replica Cobras such as what you own. Keep at it, maybe you guys really can change the facts if you try hard enough and inveigh strongly enough.

I'll check back in a few days to see if you guys have progressed any further.

[Nedsel]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

A question for you Ned, being in a position to possibly know. Did Carroll Shelby provide input into the Registry as it evolved and grew over time? My gut tells me he had to be a contributor in some capacity, but whether he had a say in the structure, vehicle classifications and content is unknown.

Shelby did not contribute to the registry apart from allowing several SAAC members to invade his attic and go through file boxes of old papers he no longer wanted to keep. These included invoices for many Cobras and Shelbys as well as some warranty claims, etc. They really provided some previously-unknown details. I also asked him some questions about specific cars, such as his Super Snake, CSX 3015, and specific customers, such as Lance Reventlow, from whom Shelby acquired his first commercial buildings. As things progressed, however, Shelby reached the point where he had forgotten most of the details about the cars, and he would call me with questions when he needed information about a Cobra for one reason or another. He used to joke that we knew more about his cars than he did.

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Shelby did not contribute to the registry apart from allowing several SAAC members to invade his attic and go through file boxes of old papers he no longer wanted to keep. These included invoices for many Cobras and Shelbys as well as some warranty claims, etc. They really provided some previously-unknown details. I also asked him some questions about specific cars, such as his Super Snake, CSX 3015, and specific customers, such as Lance Reventlow, from whom Shelby acquired his first commercial buildings. As things progressed, however, Shelby reached the point where he had forgotten most of the details about the cars, and he would call me with questions when he needed information about a Cobra for one reason or another. He used to joke that we knew more about his cars than he did.

Thanks for that info Ned.