Rick Kopec's "What's Your Beef?"

[CobraDan]

I had an owner of a 2008 Mustang at a car show ask me how I could have a Cobra as he was the one who owned a “Cobra” Mustang. I remember going into a Ford dealership back in 2006 and asking to see a Ford GT and the salesmen showed me a Mustang GT. There is a fellow local Backdraft Cobra owner who had a custom show board made with all blue lettering except the second line in red that indicated this was not a “Cobra Kit Car.” It’s hard to believe that a Backdraft is not a “Cobra Kit Car” but a Kirkham is because it can be bought in a kit form, where as a Backdraft is assembled in South Africa on an assembly line. Some type of terminology has to be used to describe what you’re talking about and as with today’s new cars we now have traction control and each manufacturer has a different name to describe it and years from now I’m sure one name will stand out to describe traction control for all the names that exist from the different manufacturers today.

[601HP]

I excitedly joined the national SAAC back in about 1995. I quickly realized as a replica owner that I was considered a "wanna be" by a lot of SAAC original car owners.

During that first year of membership, I received one of their monthly publications. In it was a picture of a truck hitched to an open trailer, and a Cobra situated precariously over the front edge of the trailer. The owner had forgotten to properly strap down the Cobra. When the rig came to a stop, the Cobra rolled forward.

Captioned below the picture were words similar to this: "At least it was just a replica." At that point I humbly realized where I stood within their organization.

David

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by 601HP

I excitedly joined the national SAAC back in about 1995. I quickly realized as a replica owner that I was considered a "wanna be" by a lot of SAAC original car owners.

During that first year of membership, I received one of their monthly publications. In it was a picture of a truck hitched to an open trailer, and a Cobra situated precariously over the front edge of the trailer. The owner had forgotten to properly strap down the Cobra. When the rig came to a stop, the Cobra rolled forward.

Captioned below the picture were words similar to this: "At least it was just a replica." At that point I humbly realized where I stood within their organization.

David

A lot like the SAAC convention circa 1985 when an ERA slipped it's e-brake and rolled down a hill in Dearborn to center punch Jim Wicks Mercury station wagon...as the "Cobra" bled coolant and the owner stared in shock, some "arbiter" pronounced loudly "Thank God it wasn't REAL!!!!"

Seemed "real" enough to the owner...............................

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by CobraDan

I had an owner of a 2008 Mustang at a car show ask me how I could have a Cobra as he was the one who owned a “Cobra” Mustang. I remember going into a Ford dealership back in 2006 and asking to see a Ford GT and the salesmen showed me a Mustang GT. There is a fellow local Backdraft Cobra owner who had a custom show board made with all blue lettering except the second line in red that indicated this was not a “Cobra Kit Car.” It’s hard to believe that a Backdraft is not a “Cobra Kit Car” but a Kirkham is because it can be bought in a kit form, where as a Backdraft is assembled in South Africa on an assembly line. Some type of terminology has to be used to describe what you’re talking about and as with today’s new cars we now have traction control and each manufacturer has a different name to describe it and years from now I’m sure one name will stand out to describe traction control for all the names that exist from the different manufacturers today.

The whole "not a kit car" or "factory built" (when talking about non-Shelby Cobras) is a strange situation. People who say stuff like that, are trying to let people know that their Cobra is superior to some other Cobras, when they can't say they own a real Shelby Cobra.

I think the biggest problem with SAAC and the "terminology", is their view of the word "replica". They are trying to use the exact dictionary term, meaning an exact copy. So by their view, any non-Shelby built car is not a replica, whereas the rest of the world calls them replicas. And then fighting that notion, makes them look even worse.

In my opinion, a replica is something that is made to look like something else. It doesn't have to be an exact copy. Any non-Shelby built Cobra, should be legitimately called a replica. It's replicating the look of a Shelby Cobra. You can buy a Rolex watch replica right? It looks like a real Rolex, but it's not an "exact copy". Most things that are considered replicas are rarely exact copies.

And a "kit car", is a car you buy as a kit. If it has to be assembled, it's a kit car. If it was built by the manufacturer, it's a rolling chassis and the term kit car is not a valid term. SAAC should stop calling all non-Shelby built Cobras kit cars.

My FFR was a kit car. My Kirkham was a roller. Both were replicas. It's really not that hard to define.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

The whole "not a kit car" or "factory built" (when talking about non-Shelby Cobras) is a strange situation. People who say stuff like that, are trying to let people know that their Cobra is superior to some other Cobras, when they can't say they own a real Shelby Cobra.

I think the biggest problem with SAAC and the "terminology", is their view of the word "replica". They are trying to use the exact dictionary term, meaning an exact copy. So by their view, any non-Shelby built car is not a replica, whereas the rest of the world calls them replicas. And then fighting that notion, makes them look even worse.

In my opinion, a replica is something that is made to look like something else. It doesn't have to be an exact copy. Any non-Shelby built Cobra, should be legitimately called a replica. It's replicating the look of a Shelby Cobra. You can buy a Rolex watch replica right? It looks like a real Rolex, but it's not an "exact copy". Most things that are considered replicas are rarely exact copies.

And a "kit car", is a car you buy as a kit. If it has to be assembled, it's a kit car. If it was built by the manufacturer, it's a rolling chassis and the term kit car is not a valid term. SAAC should stop calling all non-Shelby built Cobras kit cars.

My FFR was a kit car. My Kirkham was a roller. Both were replicas. It's really not that hard to define.

Sal,

Here's some notes from the new Registry, page 708,

"Because he (Shelby) did not want his cars devalued by using the term replica, Shelby chose "Component Cobra." This separated his cars from all the rest, the riff-raff, and also suited his need to explain (mostly to various DMV authorities) that these cars were only components of a completed car - not the completed car itself, which would be required to adhere at all sorts of current stringent governmental safety regulations"

Ok, you can discuss now

Signed: Only T. Messenger

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Sal,

Here's some notes from the new Registry, page 708,

"Because he (Shelby) did not want his cars devalued by using the term replica, Shelby chose "Component Cobra." This separated his cars from all the rest, the riff-raff, and also suited his need to explain (mostly to various DMV authorities) that these cars were only components of a completed car - not the completed car itself, which would be required to adhere at all sorts of current stringent governmental safety regulations"

Ok, you can discuss now

Signed: Only T. Messenger

If you notice, I didn't mention my current car. Didn't want to open THAT can of worms!

[mr bruce]

wunder iff Kopek hates Cheetahs too?

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Sal,

Here's some notes from the new Registry, page 708,

"Because he (Shelby) did not want his cars devalued by using the term replica, Shelby chose "Component Cobra." This separated his cars from all the rest, the riff-raff, and also suited his need to explain (mostly to various DMV authorities) that these cars were only components of a completed car - not the completed car itself, which would be required to adhere at all sorts of current stringent governmental safety regulations"

Ok, you can discuss now

Signed: Only T. Messenger

That's the second time you've posted that to me, are you trying to say something?

I also am not sure what that has to do with what I wrote? Yes, new CSXs are component cars, as pretty much all other modern Cobras are, because they have to be sold as such for the obvious reason they do not meet current DOT and EPA standards for a new completed automobile.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

That's the second time you've posted that to me, are you trying to say something?

I also am not sure what that has to do with what I wrote? Yes, new CSXs are component cars, as pretty much all other modern Cobras are, because they have to be sold as such for the obvious reason they do not meet current DOT and EPA standards for a new completed automobile.

Sal,
Perhaps I'm having a senior moment but I only find my reply once on page one of this thread.
I believe I was offering the current terminology used by both SAAC and SA for the 4000 etc series of cars. They are referred to as component cars rather than continuation cars.

http://www.shelbyautos.com/CSX4000.asp
http://www.saac.com/index.php?option...pper&Itemid=78

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Sal,
Perhaps I'm having a senior moment but I only find my reply once on page one of this thread.
I believe I was offering the current terminology used by both SAAC and SA for the 4000 etc series of cars. They are referred to as component cars rather than continuation cars.

http://www.shelbyautos.com/CSX4000.asp
http://www.saac.com/index.php?option...pper&Itemid=78

Guess I'm the retard with the senior moment... I clicked a link to this thread which brought up the first page, not the last, and thought you'd posted the same thing again.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

Guess I'm the retard with the senior moment... I clicked a link to this thread which brought up the first page, not the last, and thought you'd posted the same thing again.

Does that mean your're the older one