Thread: Kit car rant--Cobra vs. 'glas streetrod

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There are two guys here that just got their Cobras completed, one an FFR and the other a Unique. They both did most of the work on them themselves and both cars are good examples of a Cobra, both powered by 351's. All these guys did was by "roller body/frame from the mfg/builders then built the cars.

Both guys brought their cars to a local car show this past weekend and they drew a lot of attention as Cobras do from the spectators.

But the real problem came from the all the dissing the cars got from quite a few of the local streetrodders. They snidely called them "kit cars" and "not real", crap like that. Especially the three most arrogant ones, all who know one another and are members in good standing of our local car club, and while voicing their unwanted opinions, drive 'glas bodied streetrods, a '32 and two '34 coupes. I've talked to all three about their cars, much like mine, 'glas body, custom frame, etc. Yet to these jerks their cars "are not kit cars."

Since the Cobras were parked next to me I overheard all the dissing. What finally set me off was after the owner of the '32 brought over his friends for the third time and began his snide rant once again. I walked over to him and asked him where the hell he got off dissing the Cobras as kit cars when he himself drove one, 'cuz as far as I know old Henry never made a 'glas body in 1932, let alone one with an IFS front suspension, and a 350 Chevy engine and auto trans. It sorta escalated from there. "well I built my car, it's not a kit car", "And these guys built theirs also, you jerk" .

I think I'm now under "persona non grata" status with the local car club(they invited me to join their club a couple months ago)... now "how dare I contradict one of the elite", LMAO. It pissed me off hearing it fom the same type when I owned/built a Cobra, especially from the 'glas bodied driving streetrodders, and it still does. Phuck'em all, the hypocritical bastids.

To me there is no difference in building a 'glas streetrod or a Cobra. There is the same skill needed, fabricating etc., and attention to detail required whether it is a streetrod or a Cobra to make them look "right", handle right and be safe.

Maybe you agree or maybe not---just do not dis someone's Cobra until you realize that the same amount of skill, care and dare I say "love'' went into their build as you've put into yours.

I totally agree with what you are saying. I love all the cars. Just the drivers of some of them are nutty. I own a 71 monte. I wold never diss another car owner for something fiberglass. I wish that I cold afford the fiberglass panels to replace some of mine. People like that just need to be ignored. I know easier said than done. I have that kind of temper also where I can only take so much with out spouting off. To me all the older cars are a piece of art. They all take alot of time and love to not just take them some days to the junk yard and say the heck with it. These people do not sound like they are in any kind of car club that I would like to be in.

I would have to agree. But the guy that really gets me is the guy that goes and buys a cobra from someone, (I helped build) and tells folks he built it. This guy has never built anything in his life. I also have a hard time excepting criticism form the guy that “Built his car” with his checkbook, I love asking them guys questions like how much caster is built into frame or how much static compression they started with?? Some of the looks you get.

I do not understand those kind of people either - I am a car guy and just love cars. So what if it is a kit Cobra? How many people can buy a "real Cobra" and if they did - they would be fools to drive it.

I for one and GLAD they build replicas of all these cars or we would never get to see most of them going down the road.

The time, money, and work that went into the cars is sure real enough!

IMHO there are two kinds of rodders,those who build and those who pay,a kit of any kind is still a kit. Those of us who decide to build Cobra replicas(mine is being scratch built by me)are really just building another kind of HOT ROD,I also have a steel car (the 63 Merc) but it is also just a hot rod. I think its time to appriciate what each of us has, what we have or haven't done and just be car people. just my .02 worth. Carl

i have nothing but respect for anybody who builds thier ride!
be it glass,steel ar lego building blocks
i'm lucky enough to have real steel,but a couple of people i know built thier
dreams out of "glass".
i watched with awe seeing a car being put together! not with a big fat wallet(although it helps),but with the same blood sweat and tears that it takes to put "any" machine back together!
nit picking club guys that dis another persons ride should be better educated
by other members or asked to leave !
i know what i have said might prevoke anger
how can new clubs stay alive and foster newer members,ie kids just getting
into this hobby,if they feel they will just get flamed by others?
enjoy ths hobby for the cool rides, and the many good people.

First of all I will say that I have a large herd of friends who build, and I have not met the guy yet who does every part of the project himself. That would include machine work, chrome plating, upholstering, wiring ...and on and on in an endless list.

Most guys have some things they can do....some they can't, and some they don't want to do. Some can afford to hire more of it out, or don't have the time to do it all, and must hire some out. Others don't have the financial means to do anything but do it all, even if they really don't have the knowledge.

In the end, what I mean is that almost nobody can do it all. I don't pass judgement on their standing as a hot rod and custom enthusiast, because of the way they choose. I put more judgement into the finished combination they produced, and the standard to which they want it done. A low budget build can be done just as well, by adding some creativity, and unexpected but interesting modifications. There is no excuse for crappy engineering and execution.

Today you hear a lot of talk being generated by this new group of enthusiasts who want to use harsh criticism to justify their lack of enough skills, or assets, to build a really nice car. They typically make statements attacking "the establishment". (Generally speaking, that is us older guys, who were doing this before they were able to crap a diaper.) I don't care what their reason is, I just think they should be respectful of other people who have the right to have their own opinion too.

Comparing 'glass and metal, from a painters' perspective, nothing...nothing... is ever perfectly straight! They all will need work before paint, if you want to build something nice.

I have been involved in all kinds of projects....over 400 now. I've built 'glass molds and bodies, and had to repair rough old tin. I've restored very old 'glass bodies, and painted what are supposed to be mint metal bodies. if I had to choose a body for myself, I would definitely go 'glass! No old damage, no rust, no stretched metal, no trying to find missing pieces, easier to repair, etc. The main thing I look for is thickness, and lack of air bubbles. Anything else is minor.

I recognize that original metal bodies have a certain historic element, and that makes them more interesting, but for me it is the piece of "art"...the "rolling sculpture", that you are going to create that is most important. It's called "customizing". It means making it unique to you. I, for one, could care less what it's made of, as long as it's well-made.

Ahhh - I do love those 'experts'.

My opinions - for what ever they are worth-----

Cobras - yep, for the most part they are a "kit" car
Street rod - unless you have something like a Street Beast, they are a "component" car.

The difference -
- Most every thing on a "kit" car comes from a single manufacturer out of necessity.

- For a "component" car, the pieces can come from many manufacturers who are trying to duplicate OEM parts and are (hopefully) interchangeable between any OEM or any aftermarket body.

Skills to assemble - about the same to a point. If you are using a ratty rusty OEM for a street rod, you might need some more body massaging skills. If you are using an aftermarket body, steel or glass - a toss up.

You still have to assemble the car body, you have to choose and assemble the drive line (the + here goes to the Cobra folks),you have to prep for paint and you have to finish off the details like wiring and rolling stock.

So - what have you got in the end - about the same amount of time, effort and money. Me, I like 'em both tho do prefer the street rod approach.

As far as joining their club - do you need that level of BS with apparently high level club members??? And yes, this is one of the several reasons I don't belong to any car clubs.. I might not like your car, but you will never hear that from me. It's your pride and joy and your choice to do what ever you want to it to make it that way.

We all have opinions and a few of us really don't bother to care what someone else thinks. (I say us because there are always three fingers pointing back at me when I point). I love almost any car. As long as it is safe for both the owner and those around it. There is plenty of work put into a car whether it is their own handy work or someone was paid to do so.

Glass don't straighten out as easy after it gets banged up, but it also don't rust. But that ain't what they were arguing about is it?

I don't see the point in bashing other peoples stuff.
Someone is always faster
Someone has always spent more
Someone might bust your nose for ya.

But I guess it's all part of the show.

I dunno.

I've been agonizing about replying to this thread. It's kinda like the rat rod thread that was active a while ago. Whenever someone says my car is a "Kit Car", it just makes my skin crawl.

First, I have never called 1-800 any company and had'em deliver a car in a box! Not much on my car is brand new, I've been saving money and buying a part whenever I could afford it so that means scrounge part A here and attach part B once you buy part C, etc. etc. - you get the idea.. it's been 8 years to this point and I hope to get it on the road next year! As far as measuring up to someone else expectations of what a "real" car is, I've had a few guys give me grief about my "plastic kit car". Later I found out one was a steel replica! Boy did I return the favor for that one. Steel is real only if Henry made it in my eyes! Otherwise they're all REPLICAS! As far as guys who take pieces from different cars and meld them into rod, I think that's awesome, maybe I'll do it for the next one! (can you imagine how long that would take me?)

I've only been in 1 car club. And I only joined it 'cause it was no dues, no rules, no problems! If I wanted to go cruising, I could call around to people in the "club" and hook up with others and vice versa.

Just like when I hooked up with IC2 at the New England Nat's, as we went around we would critique the cars, but we NEVER said anything to anyone but ourselves! It was after all our OPINION. People build what they like and who am I to interfere with their interpretation of a hot rod?

I guess it's a standard of the hobby. Not just this one either! Someone always has to make themself feel "superior". My daddy always taught me that an empty barrel makes the most noise! Or, better to be thought a fool than to open ones mouth and prove it!

Well, thanks for letting me rant! This thread is kinda like a deceased equine being struck yet again. BUT, This is still the best rodding site on the web IMO.

I guess you could say the "kit-car" guys are the smart ones. They get everything from one manufacturer, with a very good chance it will all work together, and probably some tech support too.
As for the a$$#@!*$ making their comments, I would've went over and started critizizing their cars!!! You know....make 'em humble!

I have seen exactly the same kind of comments and attitudes you ran into with your friends Cobras,and sometimes I have been the recipient of the comments when some "expert" has to voice his opinion. Since I was in sales for so many years, I generally have pretty thick skin, but every so often..................... Then the little guy on my left shoulder who whispers bad things into my ear overpowers the little guy who sits on my right shoulder who whispers nice thoughts into that ear. Then I generally make an a** out of my self by asking them some very personal questions about THEIR car.

But you mostly can't let them get to you. I always sort of figure that these guys put no bread on my table and didn't let me use their credit card to buy any goodies, so what do I care what they think. Every show has a few, and I think they intentionally show up to see how much trouble they can cause. Then they get on their bicycles and ride off into the sunset.

Don

I guess what rankles me most about some of these types of streetrodder is that if one purchased a roller frame and 'glas body by calling 1-800-Streetrod (as did all 3 of those I mentioned)then putting the thing together by buying or making parts A-Z he/she is doing nothing different than the guy that calls 1-800-Cobra and buys a roller then does the same thing. Yet if you build a Cobra it's a "kit car" to some streetrodders---hmmm!

To me anything that isn't orginal "tin" is a replica--not a kit car--a REPLICA--be it a Cobra or a '32 or what have you.

This subject is very familiar to me. The last 4 cars that I have built or owned have been powered by VW drive train but only 2 of them were a kit car. My last project was completely hand built right down to the mufflers and steering wheel but because it is powered by a mid-engine Porsche 914 motor and trans, people still ask "Is it a kit car". I just laugh and tell them yes. When they ask where they can buy one, I just tell them that I will sell them one. They ask what comes in the kit ,I just tell them How many sheets of aluminum and how many sticks of tubing comes in the kit. They usually just walk away looking confused.
Here's a picture of that project for those who are interested.