Were I to replace my Replica.....

[Hal Copple]

I have owned my SPF for precisely three years and now precisely 50,000 miles. Even wanting a replica since they first came out, in the '70's, I never imagined how great the experience could actually be. Long trips, drag racing, road course events, meeting so many other Replica owners, just everything one can do with one of these cars. But the best part of it all has been the sharing of the experience with my son Chris, now a senior at Clemson University. He has had in-car instruction by any number of professional drivers, and no doubt has put at least a third of those miles on the Great Stroker. We go everywhere in our car, with him driving. There is no question that he is a better and safer driver for all his "seat time" in our car.

We laugh and talk and banter all the time, and one thing we often talk about is what we would do if for some reason we had to give up our Replica. I have made it clear to my wife that Chris gets the car if anything should happen to me, but if i lost it, or had to give it up for a medical reason, we often talk about what else is out there. So if i could not have another SPF....

I could never have a car with this much "performance", so it would not be a C5, or Viper, and we don't waste time talking about the unattainable, like a Ferrari Modena. An M3 or Porsche is not interesting for me, either.

So if financial resources were limited, i would try to buy a Turbo Mini, and i could afford about what i have in my SPF, it would be a used V8 Lotus Esprit. Chris wants a Rover Defender for his daily driver when he graduates, he now drives a nice Pathfinder.

Chris and I are great friends, and part of that experience for me as a dad has been because of our Replica.

So what would you realistically replace your Replica with?

[jhaynie]

Those BMW Z-8's are pretty cool. Or you could always replace it with another replica.

[jrussell]

Hal,
You pose a good question! I have also had my SPF for about three years and four months now (but only 12,000 miles). My son John jr.(10 years old at the time)and I picked it up from Doug Reed in Chalmette, Louisiana on October 20,1999 and drove it home to Dallas (575 miles) as the start of our adventure. We have shared track time together at Motorsport Ranch south of Ft. Worth, Texas and Hallett just west of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he has probably shared six round trips to Austin, Texas with me. All in all, he and I have probably logged 8,000 miles together, and we have formed a bond that I doubt we could duplicate any other way. When he turns 15 in May of 2004, I will use the Cobra to teach him how to drive a manual transmission. I will also do the same thing with my daughter Lyndsie this summer (she will be 16 in June ) when she gets her drivers license....she now has a driving permit.
Now, to actually adress your question about replacing my replica I will give you my honest answer, which is " I truly don't know", and furthermore I really don't want to think about it because I would very likely be forced to be "practical" which these cars are truly not for the very large majority of us (excluding you, my friend). I do not intend to EVER get rid of my car, and like you I expect my son to take the car in the event anything ever occurred that forced me to give the car up.
Hal, I guess this is a long-winded way of saying I don't know and I really don't even want to think about it because I really can't replace this car with anything that can come close to what my replica has given me.
Truthfully,
John Russell
SPF#586

[Randy Resetar]

I would replace my replica with another replica...A daytona coupe...RR

[excelguru]

Hmm...
'63 to '67 Corvette drop-top or...
Hmm...

Good question...

Keith

[Excaliber]

Assuming "replica" cars of nay kind are NOT an option:

I've considered a BMW M-roadster, as the Z8 is just to much dollars. NOT the Z3 how ever. I'm not a big BMW fan, but would like to drive the M-Roadster to see if it's "worthy".

I'm not crazy about Chebies either, but would consider a late model Vette with 6 speed. Viper is an excellent call, again, would have to go used.

Pantera, yeah, I think that would the one for me!

Ernie

[Tongue Pirate]

I really like the look of the BMW M Series coupe of a couple years ago. The one that looks like a "shoe"! Don't know why but just hits me in the right spot. Also really like the new Mini! Though I don't know how comfortable it would be for someone 6' or better.

[Mr.Fixit]

If I were financially empowered enough to buy a nice replica in the first place, I would probubly get a 55 chevy 2 dr hartop and a 69 camaro RS instead. I like these little cobra replicas, I spent years of my life building and repairing them for customers, but a cobra is really only #5 on my gotta have list, the top 4 spots are held by cars that I fell for before I was bitten by the snake.

#1 67 chevelle SS396 (have)
#2 55 chevy 2dr (dad had, wouldn't sell it to me)
#3 69 camaro RS (had base model)
#4 40 ford coupe (dad had a 41, wouldn't sell me that either)
#5 nice cobra replica
#6 big garage for all these toys

[KeithBrown]

A nice Series 1 E-type would be nice.

Regards,

Keih

[427 S/O]

32' island runner with twin 250 merc's......

[ThePidler]

Ha,

You know, I think the real story here Hal is about you and your son... You too Mr. Russell! I have just began my journey. Zack and I, (Zack is my 3 year old 'best buddy') picked up our Cobra, still in boxes, about a year ago. We, and yes, he has even ran the impact wrench, have slowly been puttin' her together ever since. We have sat on the floorpans and pretended to drive her very, very fast, and have had a blast!!! I can only imagine what it will be like watching Zack learn to drive her when he's old enough, and how he will feel about that car long after I am gone. Now those things....those are things that you will NEVER replace!!!

Good for you Hal, for making the experience one you guys have shared! From the sounds of it, I hope that Zack and I do as well!!!

greg

[Neal Jackson]

I did do that - with the Cheetah we are building. If I couldn't go with another replica, I'd look at the Chevy SS concept I keep seeing photos of.

[daveCarlberg57]

I don't have a replica yet, but I do have a three year old son - so I'll put it like this. Get the replica, build the same Cobra relationship that Hal, JRussell, The Pidler, and so many others of you have which is inspiring in it's own right.

Then if forced to get rid of the Cobra, I have always wanted a Bel Air convert. for those perfect days when I am not shoveling 3 feet of snow. Which BTW my son will be able to "bond" with me soon on too HA !

[terry lee]

Hal,
All I can say is that I have always wanted a Cobra since 1966. I have had numerous other cars since then, but never got any seat time in a Cobra. Now that I have one, there is no replacement. I have several other cars right now, but I have to drive the Cobra everyday. I'm loving this weather, and man do I love the sound!
Try thinking about just keeping yours for fun and weekends, and purchase another vehicle for everyday driving. You know the kind, with a top, windows, a/c, stereo, etc.
I just saw this new Caddy small SUX (or something like that) being introduced at one of the car shows.
I thought it was pretty cool, and I'm thinking maybe I can use one for a tow vehicle for those long road trips that my 60 year old butt won't like doing in the Cobra.
You can always do another one of those poses in the tux standing next to it like the Cobra shots (You Stud). THAT WORKS
KEEP THE COBRA

[flipper35]

JBL

[Don]

Cobra still attracts the most attention , positive comments and has the " WOW " factor. The Z06 Corvette and AMX hardly get noticed.

Keep the COBRA !!!!!

[Jeff Frigo]

ERA GT40

[Steve R]

Hal,
That's an easy one.... PANTERA
Steven

[Rodney]

Thats an easy one for me, Ultima GTR! check these puppies out! www.ultimasports.co.uk

[southernfriedcj]

'69 Z11 big block. The first time I wrecked my '69 RAIII Firebird convertible('78) there was a Z11 in the body shop next to her. I've wanted one ever since.