Club Cobra is now 10 years old! Oh, and Happy New Year!

[Scott S]

10 years.... from 48K baud dial-up to wireless broadband!

I think I was member #11, The first CC outing I think was at Portland and Brent showed up with a Fiat Mini, his Cobra wasn't running.

I have built 2 Cobras and a Coupe all with the help of CC. I learned how to post photos, add links, and spel check.

Most important I have learned that how a very large group of individuals can have very different politics, lifestyles, and incomes but can still love such a hobby.

Get well quick Brent, ice will help that sore belly button (my gall bladder came out two years ago)and maybe this year we will meet up again.

Scott S

[Got the Bug]

Congratulations on the 10th anniversary of CC Brent!

For me, CC is the center of the Universe for all things Cobra. I was lucky enough to find the site 2 years ago when I began my search for a car. Based on the experience and advice of fellow CC members, I found the right car for me and have had the opportunity to meet and become friends with a great group of local Cobra owners.

Congratulations again and get well soon Brent.

[oliveiraej]

Originally Posted by Brent Mills

Well, honestly, the 10 year anniversary snuck up on me, and I am writing yet again, from a stupid hospital bed (finally getting the gallbladder out after my latest attack). You'll remember a couple of years ago I had my appendix out on Thanksgiving day, so I have a history of finding my way here on holidays. Anyways….it has been 10 years, as of January 1’st, since Club Cobra first opened its cyber doors and a lot has gone on.



A little CC history since it’s the 10 year anniversary…Since I was in high school, I had been dreaming of the day I could own a Shelby or a replica, and I had been saving for a while. In the middle of 1998, my wife Sherrie and I went to the farmers market in downtown Seattle (if you’ve never been, it’s worth the visit if you’re in town). We split up for a while to do some shopping and gawking on our own. As we were leaving, Sherrie told me that she got me a scratch lottery ticket (a nice potential surprise). As we were driving down the highway she asked me if I wanted to scratch it and that she was feeling lucky. I said sure, hold the wheel. Scratching….10k…scratching….10k….scratching….10k!! ! Wholly cow, I won 10k!!! I’m so stoked. I turned to her and said that a replica was now within reach! We both were very excited as we cruised down the highway at 65mph. Ok, grab the wheel and calm down, and tell your lovely wife (girlfriend at the time) that you’re taking her to dinner! So we find a nice place and sit down for a bite…The whole while I am going on and on about how crazy this is and how great it was. As we were waiting for the food, I am looking at the ticket and I turn it over. I start reading about how to redeem the money. “For all winners under $100 redeem at the point of purchase”. Ok, yeah, yeah, but I’m the big winner…What do I do for that? “For 1k and 10k winners, redeem at your mommas house.” Redeem at your mommas house? What? I look over at Sherrie and she can’t contain herself any longer. Oh…really? I’ve been punk’d, but I didn’t get on TV. I actually kind of mad at that point because I had already figured that we could get a Cobra. While this whole experience might sound funny to you, don’t ever do this to someone you care about….You might actually be surprised by their reaction….ask Sherrie! After laughing it off, I turned to her and said “you know, I made up my mind to go and make a dream happen, and it might not be the wisest of decisions, but I’m going to get a loan for the remaining amount and just go make it happen. Bet she didn’t expect that!

Fast forward a month or so, and we make a trip to Arizona where we found a couple Cobras in my range (under 20k) in Hemmings (not so much going on with internet sales at that point). First one had a small block, was nice, but wasn’t quite what I had hoped. The second one had a 427 center oiler, but the history was non-existent. Couldn’t tell the manufacturer and the body and frame seemed a little different than others I had seen. It did have a 427 though, which really was a kick! The guy I purchased from asked me to take her easy, but I couldn’t help but get on it one time and when I did, he about lost his marbles, but….he was happy to get a check. In October the car arrived at my house and I was a happy camper, though many questions lingered. Who is the manufacturer? Who built the engine? More importantly, who else out there has a Cobra?

My first cobra (all because of a fake lotto ticket):


After a bunch of looking on line and asking questions, I didn’t quite find all I was looking for and during my holiday break from my job, I decided to start a site called Club Cobra -- A place where people could come and talk and share with one another. A lot of this decision was based on my desire to learn more about my car, but I have always been an internet guy and even ran a BBS out of my parent’s home on a Commodore 64 when I was in high school, so this all came somewhat naturally.

Guys like John McMahon, Don Dupontee, Art Colley, Neal Jackson, ScottS, and David Gagnard were among the first to register. I think John was the very first with the initial makeshift forum software that I utilized for the first 20 days or so. He and I communicated a lot as he helped me to try and identify my car and other questions I had. A shell of what was there towards the middle of January can be found here: http://clubcobra.com/default2.html , though the links are not functional. As you can see it was a modest beginning, but one that was a foundation for the next 10 years.
Throughout CC's existence, there have been the great times and some bad times….It’s not always roses when you deal with many varying personalities, but there have been many more great things that make this a fun venture.

Since the early days we have had some great help from the likes of Computerworks, Jamo, and Turk. Without their help, the playground would be a mess without even more dedication from me, and given my work schedule and other life commitments I don’t think I could have done it without them, so my hat is off to them! They have been critical elements to our organization and database growth. Much appreciated.

Some of the great things that have happened from my perspective:

• I have met many great people along this road and I have a great appreciation for that.
• I have been flown down to Texas for their annual event a couple times and was awed by their hospitality and loved the people. I love all you guys! 
• I went to the London show one year (DVSII) and once again had the opportunity to meet many great people.
• I went to every WSCB event (thanks a bunch for all of your efforts Duane Cooney!). Again I got to meet a ton of people along that journey.
• We have seen many local clubs spring up (see the clubs section of the site).
• We have witnessed the number of enthusiasts for these cars we all love go through the roof.
• We have watched as various manufacturers have come and grown while others came and left.
• WE all built a huge database of information together and it has helped countless others avoide pitfalls or otherwise assist in projects.
• Of course the biggest benefit of all of this and the root of why it was all started, is to meet those other enthusiasts whom we would not have met otherwise. It is a really great thing that a site and a car could bring so many people together who share a common bond.
• There have been numerous long lasting and often viewed threads (for the top dogs you can see the list on http://ww.clubcobra.com/forums . Here’s a few samples below:

Cool Cobra tags
Average Age?
http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46546 < Latest recognition

So where does the future take us? Well, I have some visions, but I’ll need input from you all over coming years. I think there is more for us to explore on the social networking side of things, including blogs, web spaces (think myspace), though we have a blog system that is very underutilized already. I would love to see more sharing of history, etc, and bringing those things to the forefront more. It would be great if as an organization we had better CC representation at events such as the one in London or Run ‘N Gun, etc, as far as planning more face to face time with other members, and things such as that.

It’s been mostly pleasure serving you guys/gals over the last 10 years and here’s to another 10. Well, I have written enough, and I’m fading quickly….Sitting in hospital beds suck!

Happy New Year and thank you all for your contributions to the site!

Please share below your favorite threads or pictures or history or whatever you feel pertinent.

Thanks for the hard work and the great site. This site is even fun for the non Cobra guys, I me.

Ernie O
Play Hard Racing

[nmayes]

Thanks Brent!

Tucked in the far corner of rural Northern Wyoming there are folks who are eagerly waiting to read the next thread of Club Cobra. I read on Club Cobra every night. This is a great site and very informative and interesting at times. I bought my first cobra about 10 years ago and through the information and knowledge gained through this site we bought our second cobra and done it right. Get well soon, and happy New Year to all.

[Wes Tausend]

...

Thank you Brent!

Thanks for all you've done ...and all that you will do ...just as soon as you get out.

Get well, sir. I salute you.

Wishing you and yours the best year ever,

Wes Tausend


...

[renaissance man]

Happy 10 years and happy 2009!

I remember when I along with Stretch, Gregg, Ed, Dee and the gang put the Texas Cobra Club together in 2000. What a great time I've had over the years. Having me and the Cobra immortalized in Cory Morrow's Music DVD, "Texas Time Traveling". Man, we had the Luling Watermelon Festival all tied up! Cops shut down 183 for us to film as we did 135 mph! DPS giving us the High-Five for doing it too!

Had to sell the cobra about 4 years ago after opening our restaurant. I'll be back in one of these days.

Best Regards,

[Bill Hain]

Hi Brent,
I haven't posted much -- but I want to btake a moment and thank you for all your work making this site work.
Get well soon so when the weather gets better -- you can go out and "blast around" and forget any troubles you have.
That's the greatest thing about owning a Cobra -- when your in it driving --- it's all smiles.
Best to you --- Bill

[rbray]

Ten years wow!

I think I was one of the early members. When I joined I had just started building my E-M and I don't know how I would have made it through the build without this site.

Brent I hope you don't mind me asking, but I've always wanted to know if this is a "Real Website" or just a replica.

thanks for all of your efforts

[mrmustang]

Congratulations.


Bill S.

[C0braed]

I hope this site continues with the same pashion as those who contribute for another 10 decades, cheers for the new year and a speedy recovery

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Thanks to Club Cobra for bringing back my forty year dream of owning a Cobra. At sixteen I was overwhelmed and couldn't afford a specialty car. At thirty I discovered replica Cobras and renewed my desire by reading Kit Car magazine and seeing a friends Contemporary Cobra, although I had to settle for a used (but much loved) Corvette. About four or five years ago I discovered Club Cobra and was renewed and inspired and I knew it was my time. I spent nearly three and a half years building my black ERA 427 and I couldn't be happier. Thanks to Brent and his guys, and all CC members who helped. I couldn't have done it without the inspiration and knowledge learned here. Congrats Brent and CC.

[Tom Gleisberg]

Brent-

Your web site gave me much enjoyment as well as great advice from your members. I still have my Cobra and inted to keep it for a long while. I remember logging in to your site while I was at work just to get a "pick me up" whenever the situation dictated.
Best wishes for 2009 to you, your family, and all of those cobra enthusiasts out there.

Tom Gleisberg
(currently deployed to Guam with the USAFR)

[tkb289]

Brent,
I wish you a speedy recovery and thanks for starting what has evolved into the best source of All Things Cobra, that the net has to offer!

[Curt C.]

Congratulations Brent and thanks for maintaining the site.

[concobra]

Congratulations Brent on the well ran and maintained site. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[Cobranut]

Congrats Brent and thanks for a great site.

Happy New Year and Get Well Soon.

David

[Allan A]

Wish you many more, thanks for the site.

[cobra 53]

Congratulations to CC`s 10 th Year.

I wish you a quick recovery, and happy New Year to everyone.

Greatings from sunny Spain,

Rico

[h2oman]

Congratulations on the first decade!

Wanted a Cobra since I was a kid. Learned about them and bought one because of this awesome place. Thanks!

Get well , Spring will be here soon.

[Historybuff]

"Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride" is the way I can sum up the years I have been reading and posting on Club Cobra. Sometimes some issues provoke inflamatory responses! I am always fascinated that it reaches so far, including Europe, NZ,Australia, etc. and it's great they way you can send private messages.

One of the best features of CC is that it is free of an overall public relations "minder" which some other sites on the same subject aren't , thus opinions can be freely tossed in (and sometimes shredded).

As far as historically, it is good to find others willing to share their research. I actually belong to a group that meets once a month in Burbank, CA called BUBBAS where , amateur historians, we throw our questions into the hopper and, if anybody has anything pertaining to the answer, they come back with it. Maybe CC members will continue to develop that (similar to the Atlas F1 Bulletin Board if some of you want to look over there and see how they handle historical questions).

Whatever twists and turns are on the Cobra trail for 2009 I count on Club Cobra to negotiate a path through it all so we all remain fans of the concept of American V8 power in a light responsive package....

Cheers,