What's Recognized as the Most Authoritative Cobra Reference?

[richsd]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Poit well taken richsd, the accepted level of what is generally considered a 'replica' Cobra continues to deteriorate on a daily basis.

Very true and nicely put.

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Some of that HAS to filter down to those restoring the originals and lowering the standards there as well.

This is a great point too. The restorations done on some originals have also been compromised due to this redefinition of history.

Originally Posted by Excaliber

By 'latest' information I'm referring to MANY examples of what was once commonly held to be 'fact' being corrected by people coming forward or history slueths taking a second look. . ..Such as your observation concerning the original steering wheels!

Yes, and I think there are a few key people that give great contribution to this effort here.

Originally Posted by Excaliber

While there may many original owners who have no interest in POSTING on Club Cobra, they would be a fool to ignore CC when it comes to accuratly verifying history. In fact, I'm surprised at the number of original owners that DO grace this forum with their insights. Quite remarkable I'd say.

Yes, agree. However I was not actually talking about original "owners". It is true that some original owners have an active interest here and some do not. I think it is also true that some original owners have great Cobra knowledge and that some have very limited knowledge. Just because someone owns an original car does not necessarily mean that they have any idea of the correct historical information associated to Shelby Cobras. Certainly many do but some don't. But I was actually referring to a number of craftsmen that worked with Shelby and Angliss back in the day, worked preparring Cobra Comp cars for races, restoring originals, and that continue to be involved with service and restoration of originals today. These are people that have owned various original cars over the years but their knowledge is really not from ownership but from participating in the history of the car. I know a number of these type of folks (including those that built my Kirkham) and for some reason they have no interest in contributing here. I think it is in part due to an opinion on their part that they were there originally and so they know it all and as a result do not need to participate in a current group to learn. They also feel that there is a bunch of inaccurate information flying around and they don't have an interest in seeing that or the energy to try to correct it. In almost every Cobra book published they have pointed out inaccuracies to me. Their perspective is, "I was there and I know the real story. I have nothing to learn and no reason to correct others since it is not worth my energy." This is certainly somewhat arrogant but I also understand the perspective. Anyway, I was more talking about these long time craftsmen types as opposed to current owners of original cars.