Interesting Article from Hemmings Buyer Guide regarding Current Production Cobras

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

If I didn't know you already had 256 posts to your name here I would merely ask are if you are always an a$$ or is today just special... but looking at all your prior posts here that answer becomes self evident.

Here's the deal. As of right now new aluminum Shelby's are about 2 years out if you order one. Don't know about Kirkhams. Then maybe another 9 months for a dealer to fit it out.

Billy Andrews of HRE Motorcars is among the most knowledgeable guys regarding Cobras and one of the top restorers in the country. He in fact restored many originals and restored Dr. Gingolds CSX 3133 which is outstanding and won concours awards. The car is stunning.

The fit out for Continuation Cobras varies owner to owner. More varied than original cars as the originals were delivered by Shelby in 1962 to 1968. The original cars have, however, in many cases also morphed from original spec in many cases over the years and in fact many "original" cars don't have much of "original" left in them and vary from how they originally left SAI in the 1960's (which has been in existence since 1962 but dormant from '68 to around 1990s when the Completion series was announced).

Point is with current production Cobras (Continuation Cobras) you have your more common "standard" fit out cars that although appearing to original specs in general many details stray from original. Not that that's bad. Its just how the current production Cobras in major are fitted out by most dealers. They look great and are great but if you want your Shelby to be "as it was" it takes a little more time and effort. It's hard to make it 100% to original spec. Even restoring original cars can be a challenge. Parts costs, availability, restoration etc...

The more you push your car to the "way it was" the more expensive it is. Details are expensive and time consuming.

While my car is likely one of the most accurate to original specs it's not 100%. There are likely cars that are more detailed but I think mine is near the top. Yes, I get busted on my rivet pattern but aside from that it's pretty damn good. But to get a continuation to the level of my continuation car takes time money and effort. For some it may be easier based on their sources etc.. For me it took time. Some don't care about original specs as far as all the details.

While I don't know what my car would sell for since I'm not selling I do know Billy has told me that if I were to sell I could get over $200K. My car has 8400 miles on it. It is not new. It has been well cared for an pampered and never abused. For insurance replacement purposes I had Billy Andrews provide me a build sheet for a new aluminum Continuation series fitted out just as my car with all the details. I did not know where the number would end up when I asked. He knows every detail about my car from the correct radiator tags, seat knobs, SW240s etc...etc..

I received a build sheet totaling $240,000.00. Substantially more (substantially) than I paid for the car 15 years ago. Could I get that for my car? Billy didn't think it was out of the question with the right buyer who wants top Shelby Continuation Cobra today and not 2 1/2 years from now.

Would I sell it for $240K? No. I have no desire or interest in selling it. It would take more for me to sell it. In fact back in 2004 (10 years ago) I had it sold for $145K when I was looking to buy a FGT. I backed out at the last second. Decided to just keep it and buy the FGT anyway. I couldn't part with it.

You know at the end of the day despite all the BS and crap on this cite knocking my Cobra as a "replica' and a "kit" its a Shelby Cobra, its title says Shelby Cobra, it's manufacturer plaque says Shelby American (and not one acquired from Tony Branda and riveted on) and its in the World Registry of Cobras. As someone else said it has prestige, distinction, and mystic that no other car that looks like it has...and that's whether the Shelby is glass or aluminum.

I don't know what your Shelby Cobra replica is worth or how much it would cost to build it, but the source of that information has a conflict of interest. If he wants to keep anyone's business, he might want to give a client a "happy" news/appraisal. Without exposing it to the market, it's all just words.

Why don't you list your car on eBay with an overzealous reserve and see where the final bid comes in? MrMustang is great at spotting shill bids, so no shill bidding.

Also, state titles aren't the arbiters of what you're car is or isn't. In CA, your car would be a SPCNS, not a Shelby Cobra. IT IS A REPLICA, since replicas require special exemption(s) to be registered and legally driven on our US roads in 2015. If it were a genuine 1960's Shelby Cobra, then no special exemption would be necessary.

Let's call a spade a spade. Shall we?