Best response to, "Is that an original?"

[jhv48]

Too many of you guys are hung up on this:

If it wasn't built, assembled, cobbled together (pick one) in the 60's in Carroll Shelby's shop, it ain't a real, original Shelby Cobra. PERIOD!

Yours may be newer, have a better frame, better suspension, be prettier, faster, handle better, more comfortable, more reliable, etc. etc. BUT IT ISN'T A REAL/ORIGINAL COBRA. Never was, never will be!

We're all driving clones, replicas, kit cars, fakes. No matter how you spin it, they're not a 1960's Cobra.

That's all a spectator wants to know. Is he in the presence of an original or not. Tell it like it is and move on! The fact that so many of you get all huffy when asked just shows that you are all wannabes, trying to live vicariously on the coat tails of the original car. And then you get all indignant when forced to admit you drive a kit car. Buy an original and then you can react with indignation when asked. Till then, you're driving a copy cat. Get over it!

But then, that's just my opinion. What do I know. I drive a fake!

[Scotchman]

Jim,
I agree totally. When I'm asked the question, I answer "no, it's a Factory Five kit car. Built it myself. Would you like to look under the hood ? "

[chucks1]

I always answer that mine is a factory built Superformance replica and then go on to explain as much or little as the questioner would like. I like talking cars, so no big deal.

The part that starts to get a little old is that inevitably the person wondering if mine is real will then go on to explain how they know someone with an original, just talked to someone with an original or just saw an original driving down the highway. Yet they had no clue that mine was a fake.

[Thor maine]

Originally Posted by jhv48

Too many of you guys are hung up on this:

If it wasn't built, assembled, cobbled together (pick one) in the 60's in Carroll Shelby's shop, it ain't a real, original Shelby Cobra. PERIOD!

Yours may be newer, have a better frame, better suspension, be prettier, faster, handle better, more comfortable, more reliable, etc. etc. BUT IT ISN'T A REAL/ORIGINAL COBRA. Never was, never will be!

We're all driving clones, replicas, kit cars, fakes. No matter how you spin it, they're not a 1960's Cobra.

That's all a spectator wants to know. Is he in the presence of an original or not. Tell it like it is and move on! The fact that so many of you get all huffy when asked just shows that you are all wannabes, trying to live vicariously on the coat tails of the original car. And then you get all indignant when forced to admit you drive a kit car. Buy an original and then you can react with indignation when asked. Till then, you're driving a copy cat. Get over it!

But then, that's just my opinion. What do I know. I drive a fake!

Yes Yes Yes!!! This is what I have been saying here , unless it was built in the 60's by AC-SHELBY-FORD its not an original period!! Cars from Shelby American there is A little gray area but very little. So those of us with kit's/replicas it will never be an original no matter that you put a 60's Ford FE or that you matched the exact number of rivets around the hood scoop or you have the batteries behind the seat or that you stencil Good Year on the tires! So the answer is always "it's a replica and I built it myself"

[Fitz]

What they said

[Silversmith]

Alot depends on who's asking! When most people ask the question "it is real" ? I usually say; it's a original "427 sideoiler"! This seems to shut down most naysayers to just whispering to there buds as they peer into the engine bay. As 99% of the population couldn't tell the differance between a 3000 series CSX & a (in my case) factory built ERA S/C sitting side by side. For those who know AC's, I gladly tell them it's a factory built replica; and almost always enjoy the ensuing conversation. In truth there are less than a 1000 original Shelby AC Cobras. All the rest are in fact. 1. factory built exacting replicas to the original; providing original style factory specs/parts were used . I say exacting as no two of the originals were built the same! 2. factory built clones whick mimic the original in most respects, with the exception of (sbf's in bb ac's) drivetrains. 3. factory partial built & supplied kits & the customer completes the kit 4. complete kits where the customer adds the drive train & finishes the kit. 5. Donor kits where customer takes parts from other existing auto's & completes the kit. No matter what number listed above your AC falls into. Almost all of these AC's were built with the same dedication to true performance cars that Carrol gave us so long ago! Enjoy your AC COBRA M8's It may not be 1 of the original 1000 Shelby AC's But that doesn't mean it's not every bit the equal of the original, or mabe even better. Long live the [AC COBRA