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[767Jockey]

Here's what I don't get. This site is either a business for the owner or a labor of love. Clearly it's not the latter anymore, since he apparently never checks in on his own site anymore, being distracted by polished vans and steampunk vehicles (whatever that is). That leaves the only other possibility - that it's a business.
Businesses are designed to make money for the owner. That said, there are two possibilities - it's either making money or it's not. If it IS making money, why would the owner essentially abandon it, lose complete interest in it and leave it adrift with apparently no one at the helm (other than Jamo apparently moderating - is he still?)? If it's NOT making money, there were a few guys who offered to take it off his hands and purchase it. Why wouldn't he take advantage of that? The weird thing is that Brent (the owner) seems to have chosen "None Of The Above".

I don't get it.

This was once such a busy, vibrant and active site. It seems now to be a mere shell of what it once was. Don't get me wrong, it's still a good place, but imagine what it would be once again if the owner took even a half interest in it. He seems unwilling to do so, yet he won't sell it to guys who would like to do just that. Again, I just don't get it.

I've said enough, I apologize (truly) if this offends anyone or if I stepped on anyone's toes. That was not my intent at all. I'm just confused by this rudderless ship drifting at sea.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

Here's what I don't get....

Inertia is a powerful force.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

(other than Jamo apparently moderating - is he still?)?

I got a public response out of him just the other day

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

I don't get it.

This was once such a busy, vibrant and active site. It seems now to be a mere shell of what it once was.

As with everything else in life, a good majority of the cobra owner and builders have aged out, sold off their cars, or parked them in a garage, allowed to collect dust (right Rodknock) until such time either they, or their next of kin, decide to part with them. Others have found that owning the Cobra is still something to savor, yet have gone out and purchased that late model Mustang, Corvette, or Porsche to fill their need for speed, all while being bathed in the lap of luxury. Others have just given up on sharing their time behind the wheel, their tips and tricks, their heartaches and busted knuckles. Most who are left these days have already finished their cars, sure a few show up now and then to tell us about their builds, rebuilds, and restorations. Some show up looking for information because they are interested in buying or building a car, a few of them stick around, most get a shock to their system when they find the $5,500 "unfinished kit" they purchased will need another $30,000+++ to get on the road. Others stumble in after watching a Youtube video, or watching a movie with a Cobra in it....Again, not all stick around, and even if they do, they prefer to lurk, but not participate. The really funny part is, I see that with quite a few of the older regulars, they prefer to not post, but their user logs show they still check in once a day, week, or month....I've been here for over 22 years, and have seen the ups and downs, the good and the bad, the trolls, and then some, all in a cycle that will repeat itself time and time again.

Again, just my personal observations, no chips on my shoulder, no responsibility other than to be a member who chooses to do more good, than grief for the moderator to deal with on his not so always free time.

Either you get it now, or you do not, that is once again, a personal item I have no control over.

Bill S.

[767Jockey]

I get all of that Bill - sites like this typically ebb and flow over time. What I don't get is Brent's seeming unwillingness to commit much if any time to the site, yet at the same time his seeming unwillingness to sell it to those who would. Hence, the rudderless ship comment. Sort of a "I won't put any time and effort into this, but I won't sell to let someone else put the time and effort into it." It's just very odd.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

I get all of that Bill - sites like this typically ebb and flow over time. What I don't get is Brent's seeming unwillingness to commit much if any time to the site, yet at the same time his seeming unwillingness to sell it to those who would. Hence, the rudderless ship comment. Sort of a "I won't put any time and effort into this, but I won't sell to let someone else put the time and effort into it." It's just very odd.

I'd be even more suspicious if he sold it. This edge of cardom (not just Cobras) has, as been pointed out, a declining population of interested stakeholders (sorry, they're getting old) and there is little or no interest from a younger generation for any kind of Cobra class product. Look at number of new members over time and active participants (a steady population of old-timers) and this place, if it is a business, is on its way out.

I applaud Alpha02 and the others that want to take this over, but remember he has a number of other forums that are likely to be part of the deal. Who knows how much revenue it generates from the ads (Craft engines and the muffler place being the ones that I remember). Does the ad revenue pay for the hosting and support costs?

Buying this had better be a passion. I don't think anyone is getting rich.

PS. Don't even think of making this a "pay to play" site. Every car forum that tried it that I know of has failed (all but 1) or become free again (1).

It is a treasure trove of Cobra info for virtually every brand. And it contains the history of some lesser known brands that is useful to people running across one of them in a garage.

Good luck to whoever gets the keys if anyone ever does.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

I got a public response out of him just the other day



As with everything else in life, a good majority of the cobra owner and builders have aged out, sold off their cars, or parked them in a garage, allowed to collect dust (right Rodknock) until such time either they, or their next of kin, decide to part with them. Others have found that owning the Cobra is still something to savor, yet have gone out and purchased that late model Mustang, Corvette, or Porsche to fill their need for speed, all while being bathed in the lap of luxury. Others have just given up on sharing their time behind the wheel, their tips and tricks, their heartaches and busted knuckles. Most who are left these days have already finished their cars, sure a few show up now and then to tell us about their builds, rebuilds, and restorations. Some show up looking for information because they are interested in buying or building a car, a few of them stick around, most get a shock to their system when they find the $5,500 "unfinished kit" they purchased will need another $30,000+++ to get on the road. Others stumble in after watching a Youtube video, or watching a movie with a Cobra in it....Again, not all stick around, and even if they do, they prefer to lurk, but not participate. The really funny part is, I see that with quite a few of the older regulars, they prefer to not post, but their user logs show they still check in once a day, week, or month....I've been here for over 22 years, and have seen the ups and downs, the good and the bad, the trolls, and then some, all in a cycle that will repeat itself time and time again.

Again, just my personal observations, no chips on my shoulder, no responsibility other than to be a member who chooses to do more good, than grief for the moderator to deal with on his not so always free time.

Either you get it now, or you do not, that is once again, a personal item I have no control over.

Bill S.

Or, e) parked their polished arruminum Kirkham in their living room and,as it appreciates in value, like a Monet, Picasso or a Ferrari 246GTS, is gazed upon as such works of art.

I still remember rsimones, who roughly 20 years ago, built his Kirkham for $127,000+ and then quickly turned around and sold it for $88,000 on eBay. All those threads of questions, and that final thread where he moaned and whined about owning his Cobra. Lots of good memories here on CC.

He's probably driving around a Tesla now. :

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

$20,000? How did you pick that number out of your behind?

You, LeBron and Matt Damon must be big Crypto.com investors.

It's an intrinsic number, the value is in the user database, and the data on the forum itself. Sure there is annual revenue, and not just from click throughs, but I'm thinking, at 20K, that may be a bit low for the site.

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Or, e) parked their polished arruminum Kirkham in their living room and,as it appreciates in value, like a Monet, Picasso or a Ferrari 246GTS, is gazed upon as such works of art.

I still remember rsimones, who roughly 20 years ago, built his Kirkham for $127,000+ and then quickly turned around and sold it for $88,000 on eBay. All those threads of questions, and that final thread where he moaned and whined about owning his Cobra. Lots of good memories here on CC.

He's probably driving around a Tesla now. :

Now there is a name that brings back memories........Then again, during cash for clunkers time frame, I remember a certain white, fiberglass CSX4000 series car that went for $77,000 right here on CC . I shall not name the seller, nor the buyer, nor the CSX number so as to not point fingers or shame anyone publicly, but it is all here in the archives for someone to search out for themselves.

Bill S.