Why Do Cobra Owners Sell So Fast?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by snakebiteforu

On the cover was a 1965 427 Shelby Cobra sitting along side of a 427 Corvette. (Does anyone remember the issue?).

I remember it. The pic you are thinking of, though, was not on the cover. It was farther back in the rag. On the cover, of all things, was an Olds Toronado. It was the November, 1965 issue of Car and Driver and the pic you so fondly remember is this:

[CSX3183]

The stats were from Car and Driver, the photos were from Car Review, either the 1/85 or 11/85 issue, that is/was my car, CSX 3183. The car was on the cover on one of those issues, and inside on both.

Originally Posted by patrickt

I remember it. The pic you are thinking of, though, was not on the cover. It was farther back in the rag. On the cover, of all things, was an Olds Toronado. It was the November, 1965 issue of Car and Driver and the pic you so fondly remember is this:

[427 Street]

I think it's the practicality of it. It is your dream car, and then you get hit by an unexpected rain storm, or you can't take it to a show because there are a chance of showers.

Or, in my case, with a 20 month old and a 3 year old, you realize that you cannot take your kids in it when they are young, and you can only take, "Daddy, take me with you!!!!" for so long. Even though I have wanted one for almost 30 years, I feel like it is MY thing and that the family cannot share it with me unless we take two cars to a show or wherever. I feel selfish at times even though it is my therapy for a stressful career.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by 427 Street

Or, in my case, with a 20 month old and a 3 year old, you realize that you cannot take your kids in it when they are young, and you can only take, "Daddy, take me with you!!!!" for so long.

I can attest that this is an issue, as I have three small kids and my other toy is a '62 Vette. I often wish I had something with 4 seats so I could take everyone. But I went ahead and bought a Cobra kit and am building it with all of them. The experience of building it with them is the main point, and I don't think I will sell it anytime soon. I can always look forward to my next project, which will either be a truck or have 4 or more seats (maybe a '49 Suburban or a Galaxie convertible?).

[Dirty Harry]

I'm at 21 years with the same old homebuilt Shell Valley. I just still enjoy it. My kids, who are now grown, loved the car when they were little. My wife still tolerates it, as long as I don't force it on her. I've been hot, wet, cold and a little cramped in the car many times. My spine gets compressed another inch or so every London show weekend.

Yeah, I think I'll keep the old car. It's just what I wanted.

[ERA Chas]

I made it just short of 3 decades. Selling was a health matter, not a loss of love or changing fad.

[lamaluv]

I am afraid that I may be rapidly approaching ERA Chas's dilemma. Getting old is definitely not for sissies.

[427 Street]

I bought mine last year at 43....I wanted to get one before any personal issues...God forbid.

I would still probably trade it towards an original GT-350 though

[CowtownCobra]

Because what they thought they wanted was a cobra but what they needed was a corvette

[CSX3183]

First I'll comment on all of the answers for why people sold them so quickly, for the most part I think the answers were spot on.

But why was the question asked in the first place? All one has to do is look at the threads over the years, to get your answers.

1. How can I put in cup holders?
2. I want to install A/C.
3. I want to install heated seats.
4. I can't find room for my feet.
5. Where can I buy a hardtop?

And the list goes on and one and on forever, trying to make a Cobra into a Lincoln. What did the "Arnold the Gov." call them,,,,,,,,sissy men??

If your not willing to be uncomfortable or to sacrifice, buy a Lincoln, Caddy, Lexus, and quit complaining.

[CSX3183]

After a few days of reading all of the great posts, I was bothered by mine, as it just didn't seem right, then it dawned on me, "Arnold" didn't call them sissy men,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, he called them "girly men"

Originally Posted by CSX3183

First I'll comment on all of the answers for why people sold them so quickly, for the most part I think the answers were spot on.

But why was the question asked in the first place? All one has to do is look at the threads over the years, to get your answers.

1. How can I put in cup holders?
2. I want to install A/C.
3. I want to install heated seats.
4. I can't find room for my feet.
5. Where can I buy a hardtop?

And the list goes on and one and on forever, trying to make a Cobra into a Lincoln. What did the "Arnold the Gov." call them,,,,,,,,sissy men??

If your not willing to be uncomfortable or to sacrifice, buy a Lincoln, Caddy, Lexus, and quit complaining.

[CSX3183]

The 66 was not a LW, car was ordered by a guy in Western Mi., it's a one of one because of front power disc brakes. No racing history.

Yes in 2009 I came down with tongue cancer, after chemo and 35 radiation treatments my cancer started remission. Radiation killed my salvia glands, and the scarring from the burns inside the throat, made it impossible to swallow. Now live with a feeding tube in my stomach so I can eat.

Things going good until last May, found a spot on my left lung, and on 6/7/12 I had the lower half of my left lung removed. Just got good news, my results yesterday from my last CT scan, while I have 6 VERY small spots on both lungs, they are NOT growing, so could be scar tissue, from previous bouts with pneumonia.

Thanks for the offers, and prayers, I fully intend to beat this.

[Tutosnake]

Seems to me, cancer tried, but couldn't beat you. F*(& cancer! Stay up, stay moving, and stay clear... you da' man.

About that GT40 Mark IV... I like it too. I can't afford another toy but maybe 40 (pun intended) of us get together, each put in $5K, and get us a bad ass one? We can keep it at one of those racing track clubs and keep a schedule for driving it on track. All the expenses for storing, maintenance, etc would be shared to...

I don't know, it could work. Would give the non-crazy rich of us an opportunity to own a super exotic classic race car

Hector

[Cobra Braggin']

LOL! Very true and very funny...

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by CowtownCobra

Because what they thought they wanted was a cobra but what they needed was a corvette

I think this what one calls HITTING THE NAIL ON THE HEAD...........

it is the correct answer in 95% of the cases..........

David

[Metal-morphous]

Most of the time I'm too scared to be comfortable in my cobra :-)

[JST4FUN]

I think a lot of the time it is realizing a dream that came true and then deciding there are other dreams to be realized that may take you in a different direction! In my case it was a 40+ year memory that became a dream as retirement approached, then that dream came true after I retired. I already had the Vette, but my memory was the raw horsepower from the 60s and that of a white with blue striped car that i really didn't realize what it was at the time sitting in a showroom in NYC in 65. After a lot of research, I got exactly the one I wanted and have no plans to part with it. I probably put 1k miles a year on mine in the 3 I have owned it. It is everything that other posters have described, but it is exactly what I wanted and expected. The original owner sold it to me with 1100 miles on it after his wife got a snake bite getting out. I guess I could see many reasons to sell them, but for me there are many more to keep them!!

[RET_COP]

I believe Patrick, David and Cowtown have the reasons.
What other car can give you a race car feel in both drag racing and handling a road course. At 2500 lbs. the feel is like no other, equivalent to an added 130 HP for free!!!
I am a true car guy, I had an option :
To get back into Drag Racing or Hot Rodding.
I chose the latter due to flexibility.
I live my race car days through my COBRA, it's as close as I can get.
Solid Motor and Body mounts, Carbureted, Stick, HP range in the 1.5 per cube, 3" ID cobrapacks (no packing) etc.
I do most of my mods and repairs and my garage stinks of high octane fuel, cloths too.
It's pure HELL!
and I love it.
My only regret is that I did not do this sooner, at 55 I just feel like the sharpness and my ability will start deteriorating . What a bummer.
Can I Buy Back In Please, Please

[86fxst]

"My only regret is that I did not do this sooner, at 55 I just feel like the sharpness and my ability will start deteriorating . What a bummer.
Can I Buy Back In Please, Please" - RET COP




55!? I'm almost66 and I got my first replica in March!

[jwd]

For most, owning/building a Cobra is just a phase of life. Once it's achieved, it's time to move on. I've owned just about every muscle car ever made, enjoyed them and moved on. I feel sorry for those that think owning a Cobra is the ultimate/end of life goal. Boring.