Cobra snobs

[StephenC]

OK, here I go again only because some people just don’t get it.

To all the wrench turners and gearheads (the guys who’s talent and cars I have always admired):

“I COULDN’T BUILD A COBRA REPLICA IF I WANTED TO!”

Now, what part of that don’t you understand?

Still here? Bear with me.

Flashback….the tough industrial town of Flint, Michigan (home of the Corvette). It’s the early 60’s and my friends and I ride 10 and 15 speed racing bikes. Tom R can fix ANYTHING. He can take a Swiss watch apart and put it back together and it will run better than when it was new.

I, on the other hand, could not sharpen a pencil without breaking the lead. I take apart the rear hub on my bicycle, clean everything, and put it back together…only to find I have four “extra” parts and no idea where they go. Call Tom R, he comes over and in 20 minutes, everything is back together, the world is good. Tom R can’t understand why I find this so difficult; it’s, “a piece of cake.” Yeah, right.

Return to present day…those blessed with natural mechanical ability still don’t understand why everyone can’t do what they find so easy to do. If Tom R owns a Cobra today, you can bet the farm he built it. And, he can still not understand why EVERYONE doesn’t build a Cobra. Maybe, it’s a different kind of snobbery (don’t mean to offend here, just can’t think of a better word). Many of the wrenchers still think they are the only ones that have “sweat equity” in their cars. Well, let me clue you in, guys.

There are those that if they are to own a Cobra replica, they have to build it as they may not be able to afford to have someone else do it. Nothing wrong with that. Then, there are folks like me. If I was ever gonna’ own a Cobra replica, I knew from the outset someone else would have to build and maintain it for me. I have NO other option. That meant I had to go EARN the money to pay for it. In my case, that was 40 to 60 hours, Monday through Friday and another 20 to 30 hours on the weekends. I did this for the last 14 years until I retired in February 2002.

Why is this type of “sweat equity” any different than torquing a wrench in some garage somewhere? I fail to see why those who have to EARN the money to buy a Cobra replica have less “heart” than those who are able to build one. We are all using what talents and knowledge we have to get the car of our dreams. Think about this; I may have to work harder and longer to EARN the money to have a good mechanic (now $70 an hour and rising) fix a problem than you would if you fixed it in your garage. I would love to work on my cars, but I love my cars too much to subject them to the torture of my mechanical ineptitude.

For all of you that may look down on us “buyers”, read Carroll DeWeese’s posts on this thread. Then, you may have a better understanding of why you create this distinction.

I’m really sorry, but I’ve needed to say this for years. I feel a little better now.

I will go take my medicine now and make an appointment with Obi-wan DeWeese.

Best Wishes to All (even the wrenchers)!