Looking for Authenticity How far to go?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Simple. There were only two new alloy blocks available when Tom Lucas of FE Specialties built my engine 11+ years ago. Pond or Shelby. My Cobra had a 50/50 chance of getting one or the other. Tom preferred the Shelby block. I wrote a check.

Well that makes me feel even more better about my truly original iron block.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Well that makes me feel even more better about my truly original iron block.

I didn't want a boat anchor in my Cobra.

[Dumpling]

REAL1 doppelganger?
Evan? Is that you?

[rodneym]

Rodknock,
Got that one beat. At said show I overheard, "It's one of the original........replicas."
See, now I'm doing it!

BTW, John, I still gotta come down and see that shop of yours!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Rodknock,
Got that one beat. At said show I overheard, "It's one of the original........replicas."

OK, you win. But I don't think the "air of superiority" that I was talking up thread is limited to any one particular replica manufacturer. I'm just saying pomposity knows no bounds, in terms of Cobra replicas. And there can be, but not always, a statistical correlation between authenticity of one's Cobra replica and delusional behavior.

[hinoonaz]

I have not read all the posts recently. Opinion here, KMP is the most beautiful and marvelous engineered Cobra to reflect original look. Not original but better. I don't care what my FF5 goes for when I can't drive it anymore. The third engine and by far the best. I am surprised the 4000 and 6000 Shelby are real Cobra's argument has not started or has it? 51,000 plus miles and now that I am retired a lot more. Thanks AC and Shelby. By the way I had a Porsche 356 Cabriolet (yellow) winner at Pebble Beach in late 60's. It can certainly get anal about originality at times. GAry

[peterpjb]

it's pretty easy...
we all admire the original cobra, the original is the one and only true ideal we are heading for

for those who can't or won't afford an original one, a tool room copy is the next best thing,
those who can't or won't afford a tool room copy are heading for the next best thing to the next best thing and so on....each to his own

but to be honest there is rather no alternative for the authenticity way and even a crappy lookalike body shape is a step on the authenticity ladder

[crendonman427sc]

Hi Guys,

Well its been only one week since I posted the thread and have got some really interesting comments and observations.


Since my post things have moved on and the latest spec is:


Original 289 HIPO Block and Cast Iron Heads, (which will be stroked to 331ci).

I dropped the idea of an Original Alloy Bellhousing in favour of a QuickTime equivalent which will take either a 5 bolt narrow or 6 Bolt wide Transmission Bolt arrangement.

I prefer to keep my legs in one piece, if possible.

The transmission remains open but once again, I will probably go for a TKO 600 so the authenticity has completely gone out of the window.

RodKnock is quite correct when he says that ROI is not part of the equation.

For me (and I refer to my original post), would like to achieve a visually accurate period correct car, but not at any cost.

I believe therefore, that a well built, fairly accurate ERA will be acceptable with some modern additions.

I have read about spanners and screwdrivers in toolkits, Shelley LJ22 Jacks, period wiring looms etc, etc which some guys are doing and whilst I respect them for that, it doesn't float my particular boat.

All I would like is to drive a fairly accurate rendition, of a 289FIA, for others to appreciate a ''nice car'' and be happy with it!

Enjoy your cars guys

[RodKnock]

To illustrate my point of ROI, recently these two CSX's were posted on ClubCobra.

The first CSX, CSX4158, is an alloy bodied replica that is currently listed at $190,000. I don't think it will sell for anywhere near $190,000, because it's a "salvage/flood" car, but $190,000-$200,000 is roughly the higher end of "ask" prices on alloy bodied CSX's. Some may ask more, some may ask less.

If you buy an alloy CSX roller for $160,000-$165,000, which may be an outdated price, add an engine, trans and detail it to the 9's, make it a true "authentic" replica, a buyer's cost will be WAY WAY over $200,000. In fact, the cost of such a car will probably approach $250,000 all in. Well, if your cost is $250,000 and your sales price is $200,000 at best, then you lose $50,000. That's not a great ROI. Negative in fact.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...x/2112904.html

Now here's a fiberglass CSX, CSX 4753, recently posted here on ClubCobra. From various comments, the car needed some minor tweaks, but overall a nice complete running car, especially for the Buy It Now price of $99,XXX. Last I heard, fiberglass CSX rollers were $110,000-$115,000. That's not a good ROI, negative again, at least if that was the original buyer, which it probably wasn't.

CSX 4000 on Ebay

Not all of us are Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, so some of us watch our sheckels. Agree, disagree, I don't care, but that's the real world IMO. Nearly everyone here, including the OP, has a budget because we worry about the ROI when it comes time to sell.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

...worry about the ROI when it comes time to sell.

What? Me worry. Naaah, I plan on passing her on to my heirs. ROI is of absolutely no interest to me whatsoever.

[peterpjb]

Rodknock, I think you don't have any idea about replicas or toolroom copys, a csx 4/6/7/8000 is not automatically a replica, there is something more to do, and its not even necessary to have the csx vin for that (but nice to have for sure), perfect replicas especially with FIA HTP are north of 300k (€) in Europe

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by peterpjb

Rodknock, I think you don't have any idea about replicas or toolroom copys, a csx 4/6/7/8000 is not automatically a replica, there is something more to do, and its not even necessary to have the csx vin for that (but nice to have for sure), perfect replicas especially with FIA HTP are north of 300k (€) in Europe

Hmmm, with a Euro equaling about a $1.17US, I think ol' RodKnock would airlift his car out to me if I put $300k on the table.

[peterpjb]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Hmmm, with a Euro equaling about a $1.17US, I think ol' RodKnock would airlift his car out to me if I put $300k on the table.

i doubt that his car comply the requirements for a replica

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Hmmm, with a Euro equaling about a $1.17US, I think ol' RodKnock would airlift his car out to me if I put $300k on the table.

Are we talking about pre-tariff or post-tariff?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by peterpjb

Rodknock, I think you don't have any idea about replicas or toolroom copys, a csx 4/6/7/8000 is not automatically a replica, there is something more to do, and its not even necessary to have the csx vin for that (but nice to have for sure), perfect replicas especially with FIA HTP are north of 300k (€) in Europe

Yes, automatically. We've had this debate over and over again. And I'm personally not interested in debating it again.

Any Cobra built and sold after 1967-1968 is a replica. Shelby has been building replicas since the 1990's. As Evan used to say, check your SAAC Registry.

WTF is a "toolroom copy" anyway?

$300,000 Euro for a replica? You can buy one in the US for $200,000 or less. Allegedly, Evan sold his CSX4206, which was claimed to be one of the best Cobra replicas for $228,000-ish (?) IIRC, BUT someone here on CC with knowledge of the transaction said it sold for much less.

There are no perfect replicas. The materials used in the Year 2018 didn't exist in the Year 1962-1968.

[rodneym]

Hey crendonman427sc !!!!

Having fun yet?




Guys,
Considering the age of that glass CSX that just sold, I'll bet he had less than $90k in it. I think that VIN went back quite a few years, no?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Hey crendonman427sc !!!!

Having fun yet?




Guys,
Considering the age of that glass CSX that just sold, I'll bet he had less than $90k in it. I think that VIN went back quite a few years, no?

Yes, as I said, if you bought a long time ago, like me, and sold today, you might make some money. But glass CSX rollers, last time I heard, were $115,000. If your building one today, with engine, trans and all the other details, what could you sell it for after finishing the build and driving it around a little? CSX4753 sold for $99,000 or less.

[peterpjb]

Rodknock, for a more constructive discussion, please inform yourself

[RodKnock]

BTW, a note to the OP, this is an example of the arrogance of SOME "originalist replica" owners.

I need to "inform" myself.

[patrickt]

Well I think I have an original replica, and I'm stickin' to it.