Ever notice some fellow Cobra owners snubbin' ya?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by DougD

I've been going to car shows for most of my life. I started out following my Dad to Model A Ford events as soon as I could walk. I carefully listened to everything he said and early on I learned to spot the seemingly insignificant differences between a '28 and a '29, a '30 and a '31, etc. I regularly attend local shows for British cars, Mopars, Corvettes, Mustangs, '55-'57 Chevys, etc. I just love the cars and talking to the owners.
Two things from Dad's wisdom I remember most about car shows. First, be careful what you say aloud at a car show. The owner is probably within earshot, and may overhear your comments. "If you don't have anything good to say, then say nothing at all." Second, "Do Not Touch. The owner has a lot of time and effort in the car, and the last thing you want to do is damage some guy's pride and joy."
It never ceases to amaze me how spectators today have no qualms about touching, leaning over, even opening the door of a show car. My Dad would have immediately yanked me to the side and given me a firm talking-to, and threatened to leave me at home the next time. I think parenting skills have fallen by the wayside somewhat lately. Few respect another's property anymore. It's no wonder society has the problems we have today, if behaviour at a car show is any indicator.

+1,000. There are some people who have absolutely ZERO etiquette. None!

I haven't even had my car that long, and I need a calculator to add up the number of times people have come up to my car parked and literally had to touch it to see if it really exists or something. Drives me nuts.

Regarding "snubs", I think there are "snubs" in every marque. Ferrari owners used to snub the 246 or anything with less than 12-cylinders, now it's chic. Now they snub 308's and 348's.

Porsche owners snub anything that's not a 911 (i.e., 928, 914, Boxster, etc.).

Tiger owners snub anything that's not a Tiger.

I owned a mid-year Vette and other Corvette owners would literally run their fingers underneath the fender to figure out whether you had the original fiberglass seams. Heaven forbid if you owned a Vette with a one-piece replacement front end.

[02roush]

I love all Cobras. And I have a special part set aside in me for the 1,003 original ones. Whenever I see an original, its like meeting a Beatle to me. I take pictures and chronicle it.

That being said, two people I know and admire own replicas. Cobra Anthony Bousailis and Jay Leno. Anthony owns CSX3016 and 3026, original comp SC cars. Insured at over 5 million each. And, also owned a replica for ten years or more(He just sold it). Jay Leno of course only owns a replica(hand made 20 years ago). And has no plans to own one. So, you can see, I have no problem with a replica. Are some replicas better than others? Of course!! Does building it yourself make it better? Of course not!!! I bought a home built Cobra and it was so bad that I had it completely rebuilt at LK Motorsports.

Since owning my FFR I have seen a lot of what is being talked about. I can't tell you how many people have rubbed their hands inside my fenderwell to see how well it was made(I want to mount some of those "keep the birds away" spikes underneath, might stop this). Of course at a car show, everyone critiques each others cars. Its what we do. But compared to a Mustang show, where each car started at Ford, at a Cobra show there are 10-20 different manufacturers and many more builders. I can honestly say i went over to backdrafts booth at the AHA show and looked at their cars and could've had a comparable car for about the same cost. But I in hindsight wouldn't change anything.

Hell, I'm probably the most hated Cobra replica owner on earth. I own a FFR that I didn't build, the dash is signed by CS, who in turn sued LK Motorsports, FFR, and ffcobra.com

I just don't care what enyone else thinks. Quit worrying what others think of your car. If you like it, it should be good enough.

[Slick61]

A lot of vette owners seem to have an inferiority complex when it comes to the Cobra. Almost every time I'm out around town in my BDR, someone in a Z06 is chasing me down, wanting to race. Yea, like I'd do that in town. He may even be faster... and I could care less. I didn't buy my BDR to impress anyone... I just love the car.

Was visiting a buddy who was mid-build on his FFR (552ci BB). Some guy had contacted him, wanting to see it, & said that HE had a Cobra too... (turned out to be a MUSTANG Cobra)... a terminator, granted, but still a Mustang. When I dropped by, this guy asked if I had one too. I said yes. He asked what engine... I said "427"... he said "FE?"... I said "No, Windsor"... he said "aw, that's too bad!"

I found his reply hilarious. I love the big blocks, but I also LOVE my aluminum 427 Windsor. It's got a snotty cam, so it sounds pretty mean. Have had several people say "awesome sounding big block" as I drive by... I just smile & wave as I drive by.

The whole "build versus buy" thing cracks me up as well. There's no right or wrong, just what's right for YOU. I respect the hell out of the guys who built theirs. I wanted to do a build, but couldn't justify the economics. I got an amazing deal on my BDR, which has WAY more power than I needed or wanted. Had I built, I would've spent nearly twice as much money... and I didn't have to spend a year or two of my free time on the build.

I'd LOVE to build a mod-motored coupe (some day), but I'd need another garage and a lot more cash... gotta keep buying them lotto tickets!

[PANAVIA]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Tiger owners snub anything that's not a Tiger.

I just dont get that -- there is a tiger guy in campbell that snumbbed me in my black 64 convertible *and* my SPF.

Tiger people -go fig ....

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

I just dont get that -- there is a tiger guy in campbell that snumbbed me...

Tiger people -go fig ....

They tend to show deference to Cougar owners and the occasional Cheetah owner. I even got a modicum of respect for my Mercury Lynx. Apparently it's a feline thing....

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

I just dont get that -- there is a tiger guy in campbell that snumbbed me in my black 64 convertible *and* my SPF.

Tiger people -go fig ....

I think I know who he is too. I love Tigers and I owned one for a few years and may even get another one some day, but I think Tiger owners think they have the last undiscovered jewel(s) in the universe and nothing else matters.

However, if you own and drive a Lotus, you make get a Tiger owner to reluctantly turn their head to look at your car.

JMHO.