Best response to, "Is that an original?"

steven566 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 07:57 AM

99% of the time people ask me, "Is that an original?" or "Is that real?"

What is your best reply to these annoying questions?

davids · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 08:06 AM

Are You Kidding???? Just Say That And Never Answer The Question!!!.......

avanti-176 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 08:08 AM

"It's not original but it sure as hell is REAL"

Dan

RedBarchetta · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 08:14 AM

I love the perplexed look on their face when they ask me, "Is it real or a kit?" and I tell them "Neither."

trularin · #5 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 08:17 AM

This will probably be a can of worms that has been opened a number of times.

One might ask what frame of mind you are in when the question is asked.

A real assortment of answers can follow depending how you feel about answering.

I like the, "I can't afford an original."

Red, I use the "neither" for the same question about kit.

joey_hv · #6 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 08:20 AM

i love it when someone starts this thread!

let me get some popcorn...

vettestr · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 08:45 AM

I take it in stride and choose to think they are asking is it real out of a lack of knowledge not stupidity. CAR people know but the rest just have no clue. I do tell them "of course it is real, you are not imagining you are here either" just to watch the expression on their face as that sinks in. The next sentence out of my mouth is " at about a million bucks a copy you will not see many on the road headed to Kmart.

Dangerous Doug · #8 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 08:45 AM

Just answer the question with a legitimate response. If they say, "Too bad." then you know you're dealing with a "real" or "original" idiot. Otherwise, you may be talking to a truly interested novice.

DD

steven566 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 09:02 AM

I haven't tried this, but I was thinking about telling them "Yes." to see what would come next.

davids · #10 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 09:16 AM

How About, ""It's a real museum piece!!"""
Dave

davids · #11 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 09:19 AM

I can't give you anymore ideas..My head is overheating.. Dave P.S. I'll sit back and watch now....

Tony Ripepi · #12 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 09:34 AM

Always starts some discussion.

My answer..

"It is a Shelby but, not one of the original Cars from the 60's if it were an original it would be worth $500,000 or more and my pockets are not that deep."

I prefer not to go to sarcasm, abuse or be rude to people that ask the question.

Tony R.

KM480 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 09:48 AM

I agree with the thought of being polite. If someone asks that question they obviously are uninformed about automotive history. Just got asked that last night about my Kirkham. My buddies are a bunch of constuction guys that know a lot of stuff but very little about classic cars, other than what gets put in movies.

I usually educate them to the fact thar original cars from the 60's are of inestimatable value and that this is a 'recreation'... as close to original without spening hundreds of thousands of dollars.

They leave knowing a little more about the cars and are less likely to ask one of you fellows the same question at the next car show.

davids · #14 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 10:01 AM

You are what you are guys..I just prefer to tell people that mine is a very fine replica and almost exactly like the original only better performing and faster now...dave

Tony Ripepi · #15 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 10:02 AM

Another Way...

After the comment about it being a replica, if the person asking has a young boy ( 8-12) with them, I'll ask the kid if he wants to get in, after he is in the drivers seat, I'll point out the little pad on the gas pedal and ask him if he can reach it, I will then start it up and let the kid rev it up.........I figure it makes for Cobra fan in the next generation.

A video of me doing this showed up on You Tube several months ago......the "now" generation has its own twists, I had no idea it was being recorded. I love the look in their eyes with the side pipes screaming beside them and how they have to duck their entire body below the cowl and inside the foot box to push on the gas.

TR

FST FOX · #16 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

I love the perplexed look on their face when they ask me, "Is it real or a kit?" and I tell them "Neither."

exactly, but normally explain what the difference is

joey_hv · #17 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 10:12 AM

Tony, I would love to see that video, do you have the link to it?

Tony Ripepi · #18 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 10:32 AM

Hi Joey,

It is titled teenager but, the kid was about an 8 -9 year old little guy....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQZ8qhStEQM

From the kids perspective ...it was real enough.

Hope the link works.

TR

jdog · #19 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 10:39 AM

I avoid the words 'real' & 'original', when I respond.

I usually refer them to the license plate or dash plaque, and tell them they are looking at an authentic or, genuine Shelby Cobra, CSX4795!

I ask them if they know that Carroll Shelby is back in the car business? Have they seen the new Shelby Mustangs? Well ol' Shelby has a factory down around Las Vegas and makes 'Shelby Mustangs' for Ford & 'Shelby Cobras'. This is one of the brand new Shelby Cobras.

I didn't spend all the addition $$ for the 'Shelby tax', and wait for 3 years for a CSX number, NOT to say that!

I paid dearly for my car to come with Cobra emblems 'already' attached to the hood & trunk!

I also enjoy saying: "Yes, it's a genuine 427 side oiler!", but that's for another post.

jdog
P.S. The next question is the one I won't answer: "How much?"

trularin · #20 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 10:56 AM

I have a bag of popcorn, keep going.

I asked this once a long time ago.