Original 4 inch vs. Billet Poll

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

Actually, I am quite happy with the results of the poll so far. Remember, the original 427 Cobra is every car enthusiasts short list of their most favorite cars of all time. It's lust factor is a 12 on a scale of 1:10. To be able to radically modify the car and still hang with (even beat) the original is quite a feat. Remember I am competing here with nostalgia and decades of history.

One thing that I do question, however...

There are people who buy Superformances, FFR's, ERA's, etc. None of them have frames that are even close to the original. So, why are people enamored with a tube chassis...even if it is a wrong tube chassis? Now, don't go off thinking I am dissing anyone here! I am not. I am asking a marketing question. Really, what I am asking is, "Hey, if I can change the chassis quite a bit from the original (FFR, SPF, ERA) then why do people still like it? I mean, what is the draw of tubes?"

My feeling is (granted, my own here and no one else needs to think like I do) if I am going to change the chassis a little...why not go whole hog and get rid of as many of the evil characteristics as possible? I mean, in the end it is not a real Cobra so why make an exact copy? I'm not trying to fool anyone. If I wanted to drive an original I can...but I invariably choose not to. On the rare occasion I do drive the original car (shows, etc), I have to laugh at (not literally) all the people who ask me, "Who's kit is it?"

David

...maybe if you used square billet framing you would perk their interest.

Personally (and you already know this of me), I like the old stuff with (as Chuck has said) modern stuff where it makes sense (brakes, shocks). I also have the the first generation adjustable suspension pieces we swapped off your car. That is about the level I like, because I want the same general feel of the 60s Cobra. My C6 Vette has every modern wiz-bang suspension/handling device there is short of a full race car, and while impressive as he!!, it is predictible and maybe just a touch too safe for an old fart looking for some excitment.

But that's me.

I'm reminded of a story that my friends have heard me repeat waaaaay too many times.

NASA and the Fisher Space Pen Company got together and spent millions developing a new ink gel that would work in zero gravity, extreme temperature conditions and even when wet, and then a pressurized pen cartridge that would deliver it in a steady flow. Damn thing worked great and still does, and was highly acclaimed as a masterful engineering acheivment.

The Russians used pencils. They met all the same criteria.



Edit...sometimes I like pencils. But I also use Jorge Hysek pens, so go figure.