New name for Replicas by Barrett Jackson

[Todd Hedges]

I have a Continuation ERA with the bidding starting at $235,000.
I just want to see a replica/beer can/Tupperware/Rubbermaid fetch more than an original. Just once.
Please post all subsequent bids below.
I'll pay for shipping, no consignment fees (you get to keep your 8%) and even buy dinner.

Let's set an example here!!
Who's with me??
Thank you
(p.s. I will also domnate 50% to DVSFIII)

[Bob In Ct]

It could be that the buyers of the "Cuda" and the "Original Cobra" won't do as well when they go to sell, since Shelby and Johnson may not be there to add to the price.

Bob

[Neal Jackson]

Seems like every "street rod" I've seen (and we have about 500 of them every year here for an annual show for the past 19 years) is obviously not a totally original car. Easy to see the chrome, the shine, the engine, the wheels, tires, paint, stitching, you name it.

That could be why people don't ask if it's an "original" car.

[REAL 1]

CS could have used more tact when referring to replicas. The term knock off as I think he intended it was meant to refer to non-genuine look a likes.

I guess he could have used more tact. But he says like it is. The term "knock off" is usually used to refer to a non genuine copy of something. So technically any car that isn't from SAI but purports to copy SAI cars, Cobras in particular would be "knock offs". CS could have approached it in a more politcally correct manner. Agreed.

The problem seems to seem from a lack of mutual respect. When people say "knock off" when referring to a non Shelby car many with non Shelby cars take offense for some reason despite the fact that they themselves know they don't have a REAL Cobra. Yes. It would be more respectful to refer to the cars as replicas.

Yet while those with replicas get all bent out of shape by some salesperson at an auction referring to replicas as "tupperware cars" those same people, or many of them have no problem turning around and saying to owners of new Cobras, "if it aint built between '65 and '68 it ain't a real Cobra". Now based on the re-emergence of SAI such a claim is blatently incorrect and inaccurate but said repeatedly by some nevertheless. It makes them feel better I guess.

As a corollary to what Turk said I would also like to point out that demeaning the new Cobras does not bring more legimacay to non Shleby cars or add to their value. It only makes those people feel better by knocking what they don't have. It doesn't change the facts though. Some call it like "they see it". I just point to the facts.

I don't have to pound my head on the ground or jump up and down or scream and whine to make my car what it is. It is what it is and what it is is clear. A Shelby Cobra. I couldn't change that it if I wanted to.

[scratch]

Above..
I particularly like Alan's comments.

I'd like volunteer to take an auction announcer out for a quick ride, except I would NOT want to see him act like a little girl !

Consider the source...Most auction folks wouldn't know how to wire a tail light, let alone pull an engine or point out real quality. They read their program and talk.

This a great forum for our industry. We have tremendous experience to draw from and IMO we need to continue to drive up the quality in our industry.

I believe any "low image" is a direct relation from the low end market builders looking to make a fast buck on popular body styles. Impossible to police.

The key is to demand quality...Most of us have very large investments and quality is the key to hold this value up.

The reason the aluminum bodies are now finding favor is because of the large interest in quality. Who thinks an aluminum body replicator will surface trying to sell to the low end market? not likely. We are looking for quality and some are willing to pay.

All of us have seen the occasional "hack job" cobras out there and they need to be pointed out and dismissed as junk by all of us.

As builders, we should know the history, build quality into our car and the rest will take care of itself.

scratch

jez...if I'd put my $35k (and counting) into the stock market, I could have paid for a Saturn by now.

[Bob Parmenter]

Just as an aside, the term "Tupperware car" in reference to a fibreglas replica, is not new. It's been used in street rod circles for many years. And people with fiberglas street rods are not as free from derision as many of you believe. The void between snobs and enthusiasts is wide and probably everlasting. Not unlike that between hardcore restoration types and rodders/modifiers. There can be rational sounding justifications spouted by both, but in the end I don't understand why we can't accept each other's enthusiasm as it is. (but then again, I can in no way understand that guy who made the multi hued corvette that was posted a couple weeks ago!).

As for replicas selling for more than "originals", it happens in the hot rod world with some regularity. Special cars with high levels of craftsmanship and innovative (while tasteful) design elements command premium prices. Not unlike our Cobra replica world, ne: ERA vs CMC.

[BLACKJACK]

"LET ME SAY THIS - ABOUT THAT" - - - -

I THOUGHT THAT MR. SHELBY WAS A BONIFIDE, CHROMIUM PLATED, A$$HOLE WAY BACK IN THE MID 1950'S. HE SEEMS TO BE GOING OUT OF HIS WAY TO PROVE THAT HE STILL IS.

THAT'S ENTIRELY HIS BUSINESS. IF I WERE IN HIS SHOES I'M NOT ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT I'D FEEL/ACT ANY DIFFERENTLY.

HE WAS RESPONSIBLE - ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS - FOR A HOBBY THAT I THOROUGHLY ENJOY TODAY. FOR ALL OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS - - I SINCERELY APLAUD HIM.

I GENUINELY ADMIRE THE "SHELBY LEGEND" AND THE HISTORY OF THE CAR AND THE MAN. (IF OCCASIONAL "EDITORIAL LIBERTIES" ARE TAKEN - SO WHAT. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME). I JUST WISH THAT HE WOULD LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE AND BASK IN THE CREDITS THAT ARE DUE HIM AND STOP TARNISHING HIS OWN IMAGE WITH "CHEAP SHOTS". MY DAD ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT "WHEN YOU 'THROW DIRT', YOU ONLY 'LOSE GROUND'".

LET ME MAKE JUST TWO MORE POINTS HERE:

1. I HAVE MY OWN REASONS FOR CONSIDERING MR. SHELBY AN A$$HOLE. I'LL SERIOUSLY WAGER THAT "IF HE EVEN REMEMBERS ME" HE WILL TELL YOU THAT I'M AN A$$HOLE. (WE BOTH HAVE PERFECTLY GOOD REASONS).

2. I REALLY LOVE MY ERA AND EXCALIBUR REPLICAS. HAVING SAID THAT - ANY OF YOU GUYS THAT PRESENTLY OWN A CSX-4000 SERIES COBRA AND WANT TO SWAP FOR AN ERA OR EXCALIBUR (EITHER BUT NOT BOTH), PLEASE SEND ME A PRIVATE E-MAIL.

IN THE WORDS OF THAT EMMINENT BRITISH STATESMAN, NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN, AT THE OUTSET OF WORLD WAR II - - - "SH1T, WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST 'GET ALONG'".

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

[Excaliber]

Ron says:

"P.S. It's about as REAL as it gets when I turn the key."

I like that, I REALly do!



Ernie

[mrmustang]

Evan,

Why is it the folks with the continuation cars feel that they are above anyone elses replica of the original ?

Yours In Fords,


Bill S.

PS: I must have missed something back in December, why the user name change?

[SERPENT]

Friends,
We all give varied opinions of CS as he tends to irritate those of us with "knockoffs".Some are fair I suppose,but as the man is 80
we should all be aware that the industry will be changing in the not too distant future. When there is no CS to find fault with........
will we,as a group,be better off? While I won't personally miss him, I shall not be happy to hear of his demise. His health and financial situation may be influencing his personality or maybe he
was a butthole from the word go. There is but one CS
SERPENT

[Cal Metal]

I think the "Tupper Ware" reference was resurrected by Keith Martin of Sports Car Market Magazine. He created and employs the "fakey doo" term when describing Cobra replicas, as well as other re-creations.

His magazine reports on all the major auctions and he may have had some influence on the auctioneer's choice of adjectives in describing these cars. He is no fan of anything that is not authentic.

[excelguru]

Hmm... let's think about this...

I have several Tupperware bowls in the kitchen. I've had them for a decade or better and they work just as well today as they did when they were new. They hold my soup off the coffee table while I'm watching football, just like my (more expensive) ceramic bowls. I've dropped 'em plenty of times, but have never managed to break one. (I've broken several ceramic bowls.) They clean up just as easily as the ceramic bowls. And to beat all, they were LESS EXPENSIVE than the ceramic bowls!

Hmm... maybe "Tupperware Cobras" was a compliment?

Seriously though, that term is a little too condescending.

Keith

[Excaliber]

I will miss Mr. Shelby when he passes on, it will be the end of an era,,,uh,,,,ERA,,,well you guys know what I mean. He's controversial as they come, kinda makes life a little less boring. I'll be thinking,,,,,"Thanks for the memories and the legend (you old coot)," lol.

Jamo,,,,thats memories, not mamaries by the way, (the mind of a Gashole is easily confused).

Ernie

[REAL 1]

Bill: Actually I think the more accurate question is: Why do some (not all) who don't own Shelby CSXs have a hang up where every time a CSX owner states what the CSX is factually, 99% of the time in response to a question on the subject, that they say it equates to saying "mine is better than yours" and CSX owners are promptly attacked?

Answer in most cases: An inferiority complex regarding their own car or CSX envy.

If they think I'm saying "mine is better than theirs" just by stating factual informtion in regard to a question or a discussion on the subject then thats their hang up. Why do they get so upset? Are they surprised to find out they don't have Cobras but only Cobra replicas? Is that it? Could it be they can't stand the thought that there are new genuine Shelby Cobras and they don't have one and some of us do? Hmmm. I wonder.

Its clear that those who have that "hang up" feel CSX owners are trying to elevate themselves above the rest just by stating factually what the car is and more often than not defending what the car is, again usually all begining with a response to a question on the subject or in response to a discussion on the car. They don't like that. But its perfectly fair for them to demean the car and argue it is less then what it is or what the owner bargained for when he bought the CSX ie.."its just a replica fakey doo etc..". That makes them feel better I guess.

I respect the guys that aren't bothered or threatened by the facts and accept the CSX as a genuine Cobra of the second series because that what it is and are happy with their choice in a car whatever that may be. As to the ones with the hang ups. They need to get over it cause the facts ain't changing.

[mr bruce]

step 1, take 16oz. ball peen hammer, 2, hold in rite hand, 3, swing woodpecker style aiming for center of forehead,4, repeat for zillionz of years, result? If your streetrod wasn't built by Shelby American between the years 1963-1967 it don't count.

[REAL 1]

With an argument like that what can I say?

Hmmm. What about...

"Oh yeah. does too count!"

[JoeLafives]

How about the "GT 500 E" $180000 for a clone of a clone. What were they thinking?

[Back in Black]

[tabester]

What makes CS better than any one else he just did it first. There are several out there now doing it BETTER.

[Excaliber]

You answered your own question, "He did it first". Nuff said!

Ernie