Without trying to throw racing gas on the fire here... so did I. IMHO, these are the only three builds worth serious consideration, when you aren't trying to save money or you care more about looks and convenience than about what, well, makes a Cobra a Cobra. I had my finger on examples of all three, and it was no difficulty at all to save $30k over the CS and at least $20k over the Kirkham to get what I think is the best all-around example of the breed not built before 1970. :)

Now go look up YMMV if you don't recall the meaning. There's twenty builders of these beasts for a reason. :D :D :D

This thread has been interesting and has taken a few curves in the road. :rolleyes:

Saving money is worthy pursuit. :)

Aluminum bodied cars with FE Engine is the drivable trophy if one has the means to spend the bread. :MECOOL::MECOOL::MECOOL:

Keith Craft 482 Aluminum Pond Block 600+ HP runs quite well on pump gas :cool: Race gas performance is desirable...costly but not conveniently available on the streets. :JEKYLHYDE

My conclusion for driving pleasure...better engineered surpasses duplicating outdated technology. :D:D:D The purist cars are true museum trophies. ;)

I prefer a Corsair over what the Wright Bros. flew at Kitty Hawk. :eek:
That is why they make both Ford and Chevrolet...albiet Government Motors may end this choice as they introduce the approved peoples car which I fear may be roller skates in the near future. :eek::CRY::mad::confused::eek:

It took a couple of years to reach a decision for my Cobra...Enjoying the ride as custodian for this future Legend. **)**)**)

Thats a good point, not all, but some of these cars will still be around when we are long gone. We are but temporary stewards.

... and the owner doesn't choose the Cobra, it's the other way around.:cool:

:) There seems to be little question that the market price goes down with age. But I tell you this, the BEST (OK, boy there's a term that varies widely in it's definition),,, the BEST replica's I've seen are in fact many older versions. I recall a stunning Contemporary here on island a few years back. Webers, accurate detailing, just the right amount of "bling". Whew, don't see many like that anymore. But such a build was reasonably common a decade or so ago. Back then the ONLY people that could get in the Cobra game had deep pockets, even a common brand would set you back a $100K. Side oiler of course! Not much after market stuff around, you had to improvise.

Today it's fairly easy for a lot more folks to get into the Cobra scene. Far less money required now than then. Copies being cranked out on a daily basis, modern this that blah blah. Well, OK, so we have a new ball game then. And I have a deeper appreciation for the "old school" replica's myself.

There are some VERY NICE true to original spec replica's or Shelby's built today, and like "back then" it still costs a bunch to get there. If you want the very best, bring a big wallet! :)

Yup, just as I suspected. After one thread where everyone was all warm and fuzzy you guys are back at throwing sand in each others eyes. I didn't even start this thread but as usual there will be those that will blame me anyway.

I'm one of those "morons" that valued the Shelby name.

Very simply, the way I see it here is that there are two groups here. (1) those that truely don't see the added value of owning a Shelby but they have the money but don't see the value in spending the extra $$$ to buy a Shelby. (2) then theres the group that denigrate the "value" of the Shelby name that don't have the money to step up and buy a Shelby and make themselves feel better by knocking what they really would've rather have had (a Shelby) but can't afford and by knocking the Shelby "value"/name" they somehow feel better about what they chose to buy thereby elevating their own intelligence above the "morons" that bought a Shelby.

I'd be willing to bet the latter group out numbers the former here.

Lets review some facts shall we:

1. AC supplied the chasis and body for original Cobras
2. Original Shelby's by and large sell for more than original ACs.
3. Kirkham supplied many chasis and aluminum bodies for a majority of the Continuation Cobras.
4. Continuation Cobras by and large sell for more than Kirkhams and resale for more then Kirkhams.
5. At there core these cars (Origianl Shelbys, Continuation Shelbys and Kirkhams) are nothing more than a collection of parts that are more or less similar or eqivilent in design and cost. Thus there are "intangible" factors that seems to be playing a role in dictating value here. Hmmmm...what could they be?
6. If I may...those intangibles seem to be year of construction (when built) and .....gee what do you know...Name.

What I am sure of is this. Yes. Aluminum Shelby's cost more than Kirkhams. Yes, glass Shelby's cost more then SPFs and the rest of the glass replicas but in the end the Shelby's also resale for more.

Will the Continuation series increase substantially in value in the future? If Shelby Autos continues to make more, they will likely hold there value better then others that aren't Shelbys but increase substantally or at all... probably not.

Right now there are approximately 180 aluminum continuation series Shelby Cobras existing. Less then the original series.

However, if SAI stops making them or goes out of business and especially when CS passes...I'm willing to bet those that could have afforded the "Shelby" and bought the Kirkham or the SPF instead will feel like the well..... "morons"

Another thing for sure. If you have a Shelby Cobra, its a "Cobra" and not a replica thereof and always will be a Shelby Cobra at the end of the day. If you have a SPF, ERA, FFR or whatever, at the end of the day thats all your left with a replica of what the moron Shelby owners have...a Cobra. Sorry them is the facts. Ask SAAC.

Takes care. :)

Now that's sure to put you right at the front of the popularity line around here. Care to join me for sensitivity classes on Tues/Thurs nights?:cool:

Can I join too? I'm sometimes a real A-Hole.:o

Of course, there's always room for one more. Maybe you could pick up ERAChas & RodKnock on your way over?;)

I'll bet you buy Bose audio products, too.

Wha? I'm very sensitive. Can you see I'm tearing up as we speak. :CRY:

Hey those Bose cubes are the best! :LOL:

I know you are; I have you down as giving the keynote address.:p

The CSX that was in my original post, CSX4385, sold for $106,300.

An older Kirkham with a Southern Automotive engine (cast iron block/aluminum heads/not detailed for sale) just recently sold for $75,000. Another Kirkham on Cobra Country just recently sold (actually twice) for the low $90K's.

That's anywhere from $15,000-30,000 premium over a nice Kirkham, all things being equal. Isn't that about the cost of the Shelby premium?

CSX 4385:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

Wait a gd minute, I purchased a SPF with Carol Shelby name on the VIN plate and is know to be the only licensed replica by CS. Which the fuk is it Real 1 does CS name add value or not???

PatrickT, that is the best you could come up with? wow, you must have a hiernated disc and be on vicadin. Get back in the game.

Did it sell privately, after the auction ended? I saw it was "reserve not met".

GTED

I sensed Evan was borderline apoplectic and wanted to take a "lighter approach.";) He's too easy to bait -- it really takes the fun out of it. Kind of like doing card tricks for a five year old.:LOL:

You must be smoking the wacky tobacky. When CS passes, you have no idea what his heirs might do.

They could potentially make licensing decisions that dilute the value of the brand. Their main focus is going to be to generate revenue and they won't think twice if impacts the value of the existing continuation (replica) Cobra market.

"Licensed and Authorized by the Heirs of Carroll Shelby," not bad. How 'bout "the CSX-X3___ series, A Tribute to a Legend," even better.:rolleyes: It'll only be done for a while though -- the next generation just won't be buying them and our cars (both the "real" continuation cars, plastic ERAs, and FFRs will all be relegated to the peculiar category of replicas of something that only sits in museums and the occasional private collection. The fact that CS signed off on Evan's replica (or the fact that he signed off on my replica) really won't make a difference.

SPF the only licensed replica? Why is that? A license was offered to ALL the replica manufacturers, nobody signed but SPF. It was a simple business decision. Sign or continue to spend massive dollars in legal fee's defending themselves. Little more than strong arm robbery via lawyers, in my opinion.

FFR chose not to sign, and sure enough, they are once again defending themselves against yet another Shelby law suit. Will FFR "roll over", like SPF did? If so, who's next? ERA? Hurricane? Kirkham? BDR?

I acknowledge the Shelby name add's value as it concerns the market place. It's just business. As such I might choose to invest in a Shelby product, if the price was right. But I'd have to take three showers to get rid of the stink... (that applies to SPF in particular, not necessarily a genuine Shelby).