Best response to, "Is that an original?"

[Russ Dickey]

When asked if it's "real" or "original", I just politely respond, "Nah, but I'm flattered you had to ask."

[vettestr]

Originally Posted by Russ Dickey

When asked if it's "real" or "original", I just politely respond, "Nah, but I'm flattered you had to ask."

Russ, I think you hit the perfect answer !!! Can I steal your answer?

Somehow I get hung up on the REAL part, not as in an original Shelby as I know they all mean but will it disappear if I try to touch it. I explain to them REAL is an original Shelby. I take the interest and questions as a complement that they would even bother to ask and always take a few moments to talk car with them.

[Russ Dickey]

Originally Posted by vettestr

Russ, I think you hit the perfect answer !!! Can I steal your answer?

Sure you can steal it. I have found that this response often leads to much more friendly interaction with the onlookers. When I first got the car, I tried using many of the other responses that I've seen in this thread, but they just made me sound like I was being defensive over my car being a replica. Which couldn't be farther from the truth. I love my car and I am proud of it, even if it isn't the genuine article.

Would I own and drive an original if I could afford one? Absoultely. But I can't. And neither can 99.9% of the people who come up and ask me if it's real, so no sense coming off like a jerk.

I recently had a guy at a cruise night crawling all over it, under it, looking deep down into the engine compartment, and in general inspecting the car like I had a bomb hidden in it or something. I was just sitting behind the car in my little fold up chair watching him in amazement. He finally stood up, felt underneath the fender lip, and said "I guess it ain't real." I smiled and responded, "Nope, it's a replica. Just like the big show placard on the windshield says it is..."

I think the only time I get miffed anymore is when somebody knocks on the body. That level of disrespect still raises my blood pressure.

[Bryan Wilson]

Originally Posted by Russ Dickey

I think the only time I get miffed anymore is when somebody knocks on the body. That level of disrespect still raises my blood pressure.

I've had some turkeys knock so hard on the guard that if it was real they would have dented it

[joey_hv]

I think the only time I get miffed anymore is when somebody knocks on the body. That level of disrespect still raises my blood pressure.

I have a 12 yr old and a 14 yr old boys, showed them how to hold your hands behind your back and lean forward to look at a vehicle, don't tap on it you dont even lay your hand on it, told them "see that beautiful shine on it? they worked hard to get that look on it, you don't ruin it by touching it" always get respectful nods from car owners at shows when my two boys walk around their car with their little hands clasped behind their backs.

[wtm442]

Is that an original or a kit car?

My answer depends upon who is asking and my mood at that time:

Neither ... its a factory built replica of a 65 Cobra.
(used about 95% of the time).

Its a real car, but its not a 1/2 million dollar (or more) original ... so I can drive it every day, just like you do with your car ... but I have more fun than you do! Laugh and smile.

Yes.
(that really gets them confused - I've only used this one a couple of times).

Seeing that an original costs 1/2 million or more, I have all of my money in the stock market so I can enjoy this fiberglass replica without the worry of owning such an expensive car ... and I drive it every day.

[Jaydee]

Quote:
I think the only time I get miffed anymore is when somebody knocks on the body. That level of disrespect still raises my blood pressure.

I have a 12 yr old and a 14 yr old boys, showed them how to hold your hands behind your back and lean forward to look at a vehicle, don't tap on it you dont even lay your hand on it, told them "see that beautiful shine on it? they worked hard to get that look on it, you don't ruin it by touching it" always get respectful nods from car owners at shows when my two boys walk around their car with their little hands clasped behind their backs.
Like

Very good.
I was at a classic car show, and there was a brand new Ferrari. And guy was leaning over it, trying to look at the engine. He had a steel belt buckle. I cringed and showed him back. The owner thanked me. But it was to late to stop him scratching it.

[BAsque1]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

Very good.
I was at a classic car show, and there was a brand new Ferrari. And guy was leaning over it, trying to look at the engine. He had a steel belt buckle. I cringed and showed him back. The owner thanked me. But it was to late to stop him scratching it.

Jaydee:
I have a nice sign that I hang on my roll bar and reads as follows:
Beware of getting toO close the sidepipes are extremey hot and cause snakebites. If you have any metal and contacts the car you will be zapped by an electric alarm which will put 50,000 volts much like a tEaser through your body. If you touch the surface the wax I use has a skin penetrating substance that will cause a terrible rash ALL OVER YOUR BODY!!!! LOOK ALL YOU WANT, TAKE ALL THE PICTURES AND VIDEOS YOU WANT- BUT HAVE THE COURTESY OF NOT TOUCHING. BY THE WAY YOU ARE BEING RECORDED IN CASE YOU SCRATCH IT WE WILL FIND YOU!!!! Any questions?

It grabs their attention and conveys the message abundantly clear.
Lou

[JBCOBRA]

You ARE joking right?



QUOTE=BAsque1;1208198]Jaydee:
I have a nice sign that I hang on my roll bar and reads as follows:
Beware of getting toO close the sidepipes are extremey hot and cause snakebites. If you have any metal and contacts the car you will be zapped by an electric alarm which will put 50,000 volts much like a tEaser through your body. If you touch the surface the wax I use has a skin penetrating substance that will cause a terrible rash ALL OVER YOUR BODY!!!! LOOK ALL YOU WANT, TAKE ALL THE PICTURES AND VIDEOS YOU WANT- BUT HAVE THE COURTESY OF NOT TOUCHING. BY THE WAY YOU ARE BEING RECORDED IN CASE YOU SCRATCH IT WE WILL FIND YOU!!!! Any questions?

It grabs their attention and conveys the message abundantly clear.
Lou[/quote]