I already explained that one in this thread but.... those were the "completion" cars. In the early 90s, Shelby contracted Mike McCluskey to built a handfull of new Cobras, but told the public that he had leftover chassis from the 60s. So the new cars were issued 60s VIN numbers, and the cars were to be sold for 500k with the proceeds going to his charities. These were full running cars, BTW. Of course, he got caught lying.

The "continuation" cars started in 1996, when Shelby decided to fight against the replica market and start making the Cobra again, from all new. This time they were in "component" form. The cars DID leave Shelby in "kit" form, but were built and finalized by Shelby dealers for customers. The introduction of the 4700 series cars (starting with 4750) is when Shelby started selling complete rollers, instead of parts sent to dealers to be turned into cars.

Are we talking the "prison cars" here??:JEKYLHYDE

I believe so :3DSMILE:.

"Colorful" is one thing but I for one think it's a shame that something as marvelous as a Cobra has a history that's rife with BullShirt. Because of it's creator no less...

And the irony is the creator is the one ruining it for everyone.

I guess "the Shel givith, and the Shel taketh away".

I had asked about that in the saac forurm. And the article about Shelby being caught is here:

http://saacforum.com/index.php?topic=981.0

Thanks you guys; I was hoping memory had not failed me just yet. Sal, sorry I missed your earlier post. I intentionally did not visit this thread until today - only to discover I needed to read 10 pages of posts! I must have rushed past yours.

Terry

Ned,
At least the Cobra owners let you play with them. Having an Ace that has a 289 transplanted into it, the Cobra owners shun it as lesser testerone vehicle, Ace owners pass out at the sacrilege of the conversion, and there are no kit car owners to hang around with since it is not like any of them. The only ones that seem to take an interest are the Hot Rodders who like the way I frenched the door handles, but wonder why I didn't french the boot handle:JEKYLHYDE
As for answering the "what is it question", people generally get the deer in the headlight look about the time I say it came before the Cobra and had a 6 cylinder......

You're welcome to hang out with me anytime!

I don't consider a CSX continuation vehicle a kit, just like I don't consider any replica delivered in roller form complete minus motor and trans a kit. When someone ask "is it a kit?" they are most likely asking if the car was built by someone other than a manufacturer. Kind of like when they ask the question "is it real?" they are most likely asking is it original.

When I get asked the question "is it a kit?" I tell them it comes complete minus motor and trans, but I somtimes think I should just carry brochures around with me because it would be easier just to hand them one. :)

I assume when someone asks if its a real Shelby Cobra they are meaning is it an original. I have an SPF so the answer is "no, its not a real Cobra" (post 1970 CSX owners would have to answer no also). Is it a genuine Shelby Cobra? CSX owners can say yes, I have to say no. Is it a kit car? I say no, because an SPF was basically factory built. FFR owners would answer yes to that question because they built it themselves (or had it built) from a kit.

I don't care if people think my SPF is a kit car. It all depends on what I perceive the interest is of the person asking. If he seems to really be interested I'll go into it. 90% of the people aren't really interested so when they ask if its a kit car I just say yes in order to politely end the conversation. They walk away happy thinking they have put me in my place, which is strange because some of the most beautiful, technically sophisticated and well-built cobra replicas out there are FFR's.

If you have an SPF and someone asks you if it's a "real Shelby", you always confuse the hell out of them by saying "no, but it licensed by Carroll Shelby."

Like when people ask how I got Shelby to sign my glovebox...."just takes money." :LOL:

SP01715 - I did print a couple of SPF brochures and carry them in the trunk in case someone is really interested.

http://www.parkplaceltd.com/images/m...erformance.pdf

I think the next time I am at Hillbank I will grab a handful...:)

Great idea!

Someone years ago posted the definition of "kit car" as by DMV or the DOT.

What I remember from the definition is that the original series would have fit the definition had they continued the same way today. Sal is right.

Are the current Shelby Cobras "kit cars"?.No more then the originals were. They are primarily sold as rollers and waiting for engine and drive train.

But when the average Joe asks if its a "kit" thats another way of asking if its "real". I say "yes" and tell them its a Continuation series. Most car enthusiasts today know what those are as opposed to say 10 years ago and are genuinely excited to see one as opposed to a "kit".

SAAC has spoken on the issue of the Continuation series. They are the guiding authority on the issue. Team Shelby also agrees with SAAC on the issue of whehter the Continuation series Cobras are real Cobras. Thats good enough for me.

Moreover, Shelby Cobras new or old are the only cars that legally and legitimately carry and are entitled to carry the Cobra name and wear the Cobra logos, badging and considered a genuine/real Cobra.

So as much as those who don't have Shelby's agree with and like Mr. Mustangs post on the first page, he's wrong but if you like what he said and it makes you feel better print it and tape it to your wall. I'll go with SAAC as opposed to MrMustang thank you very much.

If you want the correct answer SAAC has it for you.

BTW, my little friend from down under was wrong. It took me a couple of days to respond. BTW again, his position was also erroneous but then again he doesn't have a Shelby.

;)

Just a correction to myself here... before the 4750 cars, you could have Shelby build your 4000 series component car into a roller at the factory. Kind of the same thing as the dealers building them, you still bought a "kit" and then paid a Shelby dealer or Shelby themselves to build it. But it was a "factory" option to have it built in Vegas.

When people ask "Is it REAL", they are NOT asking if it was built by Shelby. They ARE asking if it is a Cobra built back in the early-to-mid sixties, and currently worth more than $600,000.
When people who own CSX 4xxx, CSX 7xxx, or CSX 8xxx answer the "Is it REAL" question with anything else than "NO, but it IS a genuine Shelby", those people are lying to the people who ask the "REAL" question, and trying to pass off their very nice Cobras as originals.

I dont believe SAAC uses the word "REAL" in their description of a Cobra.

The only thing I can say is RAH ROH.

Mr Celby: I respectfully disagree. You answer the questions how you like. I'll answer the questions how I like.

I know what the average Joe is asking when they ask is it "real" and I give them the correct answer. My answer as to my Cobra is "Yes it is real. Its a Continuation series Shelby Cobra." It may not be what they expected to hear, wanted to hear or understand but its the correct answer. If they have questions I answer them.

You may not like my answer but that doesn't change the current state of the facts or make my answer incorrect. Does it??? There are a sea of guys like you with non Shelbys and even original owners who would love Continuation Series owners to think of our cars as "kits", "replicas" or otherwise not real or genuine Cobras for selfish reasons.

Cry about it. It ain't happening.

You're right. SAAC uses the word "genuine". Excuse me. Please enlighten me on the difference in the words genuine and real or the difference as used by SAAC. So I guess when SAAC also stated on their website as to their position on the Continuation series they see no difference in the originals and the continuation series other then the time frame they were built i bet you don't get that either???

Please. Give it a rest. :rolleyes:

Go read the SAAC website and their position on the Continuation Series.

And..as a matter of fact "Mr. Celby" not only am I 100% dead on when I say my Cobra is a real Cobra when asked, as backed by SAAC...You are in fact the one who is really misrepresenting your car when you call it or refer to it as a "Cobra" because unless its a Shelby new or old, its not. Period. You need to refer to your car not as a Cobra but a "Cobra look a like" otherwise you are not being truthful and you are misleading the average Joe.

Enjoy.

Well, the Kirkham owners can say "It's not a Cobra, but a Kirkham, and, well, my car is listed IN the 2008 SAAC registry.