What Is The Future of The Cobra Replica Industry?

[sunman]

Classic Roadsters is not belly up.
It was bought out of bankruptcy 2016 by Ryan Martens cheap as the bank was saving money not having to pay to haul it to the dump!
Ryan did not deliver and the “Classic 427” is what’s left for sale.

All the Sebring fiberglass is available from Robert Haugen in Oregon.
I’ve got the Cobra hardtop moulds and will start making tops when I wrap up a project I’m about to finish. Step number 1 in my plan.

Classic was revived in 1996 and then liquidated by the Duchess Capital Management Corporation like the movie “Wall Street”.
Duchess was Gary Rutherfords first car, MGTD with Chevette motor.
Duchess is now a multi billion dollar operation and one of the partners was banned from trading by the SEC a couple years ago.

Jeffery Davis (CMC, Street Beast, all the Florida cars LLC owner) got Classic Roadsters LLC in 1989, he has a mansion on the Florida intercostal waterway.

It’s very complex what Duchess did, the SEC and bankruptcy filings are amazing.
I’m writing a chronology I’ll post someday.

Party On

[patrickt]

Anybody that would buy in to a Cobra replica manufacturing company is a moron.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Anybody that would buy in to a Cobra replica manufacturing company is a moron.

So, you bought a car from a moron. I'm sure Bob appreciates that sentiment.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Anybody that would buy in to a Cobra replica manufacturing company is a moron.

Yes, that's partly true. I'll make a subtle correction:

Anybody that would buy in to a Cobra replica manufacturing company with the belief that it will be a profitable long term business is a moron.

Sure, someone could ressurect Classic (although the history makes that really difficult to overcome, having totally flushed all goodwill - it's only worth the value of the parts, and those parts have no value as noone is going to start up a new Cobra business). Any piece of this that continues is a hobby business.

If someone picks up EM and continues to operate it it will be because it is a passion and it'll operate under "hobby business" rules of profitability. It won't be a multi-generational concern. As will ultimately be the fate of some of the current manufacturers as their ownership wants to wind down their personal involvement.

As to the original question, "What is the future of the Cobra Replica Industry?" the answer is, sorry to say, pretty bleak... I would agree that "boutique" is a pretty applicable term.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

I would agree that "boutique" is a pretty applicable term.

It's like purchasing a Dress Shop for your wife and daughter to run. It may end up being an overall positive experience, but it'll never make money.

[Harpoon PV2]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

I would agree that "boutique" is a pretty applicable term.

That is kind of funny, since AC was known as the "Savile Row" of automobiles! Of course, Derek and Dennis Hurlock were incredibly wealthy, and AC was just a hobby! Cheers, Dennis

[kanuck]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Anybody that would buy in to a Cobra replica manufacturing company is a moron.

I am looking into it, I may have to rethink it though I wouldn't want that stigma.