Just wondering your thoughts on cobras... do you like them at car shows.. do they fit.. what say you....
Printable View
Just wondering your thoughts on cobras... do you like them at car shows.. do they fit.. what say you....
I'm for it. When I go to rod shows, I like to see all kinds of fast, powerful custom machines - Cobra replicas fit right in.;)
Loaded question, considering the audience here!!! ;) Many of the regulars here also frequent Club Cobra...
To answer your question... IMHO, it all depents on the individual car and the way it is built... Around here it seems that there are more than a few Cobras that are rather poorly built... One thing I really hate to see is a Cobra car with a bad wheel/tire combo... I've seen more than a few of these cars using those stamped steel wheels like you see on boat trailers, that just ruins the looks of a fine car if you ask me... I don't think that all Cobras have to have "Authentic Wheels" but just like with Hot Rods the car has to have "The Look" ...
I think that it goes without saying that the Cobra has its place at car shows...
Here is something for you to chew on though...
If I were going to question certain types of vehicles that have a tendency to show up at the events around here it would most likely be the late model T-birds and Vettes... I figure If I want to check those cars out, I'll just visit the local new car dealers!!!
hahaha... lets see where this goes now...
Dave (trouble maker) Brisco
Trouble maker,
I liked your answer...
Right down the middle.... and your right about the late model cars at these events...
What's a snake doing at a car show??
Can't find a reptile regatta??
Not a loaded question.. just straight up talk is what I am after.. Any poorly built car looks bad to me...I agree.. new cars factory built cars at a car show sucks..down south.. it seems that the streetrodders just don't give the cobras much of a break.. ain't much difference then a highboy is it... you still get wet....
There is a wide variation in quality between Cobra Mfgs.(Everett Morrison,ERA & Superformance being thre top 3). There also is a wide variety of prices........Cobras like streetrods have a wide variation in suspension so you can not group them together.
They are wild to drive but, fairly confined inside - mine is 6" longer thru the doors(96" vs 90" wheelbase) so its about like driving a Corvette but, no roll up windows.......Don
Ps - mine is for sale ($23,000) at half the price to build it. Everett Morrison,350/300,800 miles, every thing new or rebuilt,4 spd,leather interior,flow thru vent system,kenwood head w/6 infinity speakers.....etc
Once upon a time EM may have been in the top 3 but I don't think it holds true today.. They are not even in business anymore..
What I ment by loaded question is that there is a contengent of CHR members who own both Street Rods and Cobras...
I am not exactly sure what you mean when you say, "it seems that the streetrodders just don't give the cobras much of a break", but my hunch is that you may have run into some of the guys we have been talking about in a few other threads here... Read the threads titled _"The age old question!!!" and "What do you think?" and you will see where I am comming from...
I don't consider myself a "Street Rodder" so I can't speak for those who do... I am simply a guy who loves cars in general, so I don't know what's up with the snobbery and egos that seem to be associated with one enthusist group or another...
I think you ment to say "ain't much different than a Roadster is it... you still get wet... A Cobra is different than a highboy, unless you take the fenders off, but I know what you are trying to say!!! ;)
BTW, don't feel bad, you should see the looks I get when I show up at the local cruise nigt in my 68 Porsche Targa...
Dave Brisco
Yes they rule!
Okay, now that I've had some fun, here's what I see.
Most street rodders (or any other name you want to use) I know don't get the Cobra replica thing. Yeah, there are a few here and likewise at CC, but in the bigger world of autodom we're a minority (maybe we can qualify for some govmint gimme's???)
Guys I've known for a long time, and who know what kinds of hot rods I've had/have, seem confused when I show up in my replica. Almost none of them look at it with anything but a passing glance. It's just outside their sphere of interest. I suspect that if a deuce hiboy showed up at a Cobra track event, or say DVSF II, they'd get the same kind of "dust off". 10-20% of the guys would take the time to admire it, the rest would barely take a glance. Few have the wide range of appreciation as Dave has expressed. On the other hand, at an open event this past Sunday, I had four different conversations with guys who expressed an appreciation for the paint work on my Cobra. While I don't think they were especially interested in this type of car, they did have an understanding of what it takes to get a glass car smooth enough for good paint work.
Does the seeming lack of interest stress me out? Not a bit!! If they can't appreciate the car for what it is, it's their loss. If it's not their thing, that's their "right". If they shoot off their mouth in a negative manner, then that's a different story. That's when it's fun to say "lets see what you drove here today". This usually shuts up the mouthy jerk that came in his Escort, or gives me a chance to "return the favor". Nothing like leveling the playing field.:D
One last point that I just thought of...
I have noticed over the years that cars like the Cobra, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari, ect seem to garner more respect from the non-enthuisist crowd than from owners of other types of collector/classic cars...
It seems when I drive the Porsche I get as many looks and thumbs up from John Q Public as I do driving the Hot Rod!!! I would be willing to bet that you Cobra guys know exactly what I am talking about...
As far as car snobs, I have seen all kinds... Ever been to a Led Sled event?... I have!!!... Most of these cars are usually late 40's or 50's vintage, but their segment of the hobby is not determined by the year in which the car was originally manufactured so their events are generally considered open... However I have attended in Street machines and Street Rods and neither are very well recieved at these events... I think this definately plays into Bob's "sphere of interest" comment...
The reason I am not it a car club is that over the years I have come to the conclusion that when it comes to me being included in a group, I would rather it be because of the type of people in the group rather than the type of cars the group drives!!!
Again, Just my 2.125¢...
Dave Brisco
I have want to build a car forever but can't weld and most of the cars require a lot of that.. so the Factory Five worked for me.. this is my first shot of building a car..took 10 months....
http://a9.cpimg.com/image/E1/EE/1890...-02000155-.jpg
Nice Job, I really like it...
Dave Brisco
Personally, I think Cobras are cool. I love the look, and I think it would be a real kick to drive one. However, if I see one at a car show, I tend to walk right by it. Why? Because everyone and their brother makes a Cobra kit, and I've seen so many of them. Most of them look pretty much the same. If I see something different about one, then I'll take a closer look. Otherwise, I would rather spend time looking at something a little different at a car show.
Here's a thought... What about a Cheetah replica? You don't see too many of those around...
OK sweet,
Here's your chance!!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2417785371
Most of the Cobra guys like to drive the hell out of there cars.. While the vast majority like them to look good.. we still feel the need for speed... Cobras are suppose to look a certin way..
I really hope I didn't offend anyone by saying they all look pretty much the same in my previous post. That was not my intent. When they weren't quite so prevalent, I would stop and drool over them at car shows. (However, I would always make sure the drool hit the pavement and not the car.) Now, though, there's at least three of them at even the smallest cruise-ins I go to. Don't get me wrong, I still love them and think they have every right to be at car shows. The point I was trying to make was that I personally don't spend a lot of time looking at them any more because they have gotten so common.
Thanks for the link, Bob. I sure wish I had more space, or more time, or less projects. I think I'll have to put a Cheetah on my list of things to do, though. Maybe someday I'll get to it...
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sweet31
The point I was trying to make was that I personally don't spend a lot of time looking at them any more because they have gotten so common.
Resurrecting an old thread...
Sweet31 has a very valid point... They (Cobras) have become very common over the past several years... and probably don't generate quite the interest they did in years past...
However, having said that, there doesn't seem to be any shortage of duplicate hot rods either...
It's whatever floats your boat... I can appreciate the detail and workmanship in the hot rods but they hold absolutely no fascination for me... and no, I'm not on the wrong forum... I like to check in from time to time and read what's posted...
What's the difference between a 64 Cobra replica and a 32 Ford replica???? and in no way are the Ford replicas period correct..
I'm fortunate enough to have a Hot Rod (34 Ford roadster) a Custom (Chopped 51 Merc) and a Cobra replica.
The Cobra ALWAYS draws a larger crowd. I'm often asked which is my favorite and it's tough...like asking "which is your favorite child?" I love all three...the Merc is Kool...the Roadster is HOT and the Cobra is fast and a BLAST to drive!
But you're right, there's more and more Cobras showing up at car shows and cruise nights.
Notta problem for me...kinda like visiting the Playboy mansion...
they are ALL pretty!
Nice cars are nice cars. I look at a any car to see what I think the guy did right or did wrong. Craftsmanship and attention to detail are what I look at. I don't have to like this or that the guy did to his car, but if it is done right, I do have to respect the worksmanship that went into it. The only thing I don't like at car shows is "snob row", you know, the guys who don't talk to anyone who's car isn't the same flavor as theirs and they spend there time putting down everyone else's ride cuz it's different. Dare to be different, build what ya like and drive it like ya stole it!!!
I think you answered your own question... What makes Hot Rods more interesting than Cobras to me is the idea that Hot Rods are not supposed to look or be a certain way!!! Even though there are far more 32 Fords on the road today than were ever produced by Ford they all have their own unigue features and looks... If you were to have twenty 32 Ford Roadsters lined up side by side you would see that each car is unique to itself, some might have fenders some may not, there will be different windshield treatments, different paint colors, differet graphics, some old school, some modern, some Chevy powered, some Ford powered, some Big Blocks, some Small Blocks, some with lots of chrome others without, Big headlights, small headlights, no headlights, 3-piece hoods, 4-piece hoods, luvered hood sides, no hood sides, no hoods, blowers, injected, EFI... See my point?...Quote:
Originally posted by KaiserSosa
What's the difference between a 64 Cobra replica and a 32 Ford replica???? and in no way are the Ford replicas period correct.. [/B]
The reason many rodders don't give most Cobra's a closer look is that we kinda know what to going to see and it is not a question of it being different or custom, it becomes more of a question of whether the car is "period correct" or "period incorrect"... The Cobra crowd is more like the Vette crowd than the Hot Rod crowd in that these groups use the word "original" in a much different way than rodders do... When we rodders say it, it means that we have (or think we have) done something totally different to our cars than anyone else has ever done... When a Vette or Cobra owner says it he means that the car looks to be the way it came from the "Factory"...
It boils to two totally different frames of mind... Don't get me wrong, I like Cobras and appreciate the time, effort and workmanship it takes to build one right...
Dave Brisco
Dave,
Point well taken!!!
Dave S.,
Again, some valid observations...
Really not much to argue with here...
can't say that I agree with the Vette and the Cobra crowd being the same... I'd align the Cobras with the Hot Rods more closely.
Both are essentially "kit cars" and the individual build shows through...
Wait a minute... I am argueing... I'll stop there....
In my opinion it's just a completely different type of car that either gets your motor running or it doesn't. Most hot rodders are not going to be driving a porsche either (at least my observation), while the Cobra attracts folks for appearance and the idea of very spirited road course type driving. Power to weight ratio is also something that people oogle over on these cars, as you can stick in serious hp in a low weight car, and everyone knows what that means.
What attracts me to Hot Rods and Cobras is just ANGRY SCARY BELCHING power and aggressive looks. This is why I would put a 41 Willy's with big cubes, blower, tubbed, etc...at the top of my Hot Rod list.
In the end, we all just like what we like. I don't think owning a cobra means I own something better or worse than any of the people I come in contact with. It's what I like, and it so happens that others like it too....The same story for all Hot Rodders. :)
I love my little Cobra. :)
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...0c0051-med.jpg
Brent,
It works for me......
casa
Brent,
The car definitely has a look about it... Sits correctly and looks angry....
Well then there's Hot Rodded Cobras
:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Well maybe I didn't think that one through very well... :)Quote:
Originally posted by KaiserSosa
can't say that I agree with the Vette and the Cobra crowd being the same... I'd align the Cobras with the Hot Rods more closely.
Both are essentially "kit cars" and the individual build shows through...
Wait a minute... I am argueing... I'll stop there....
I agree with Brent, but I am the kind of guy that does own both a Porsche and a Hot Rod... I don't really talk much about the Porsche or post any pics in the gallery here because It is not a Hot Rod... Like Brent I think it is two totally different schools of thought... I like my Porsche and love to drive it on a nice day, but I don't take it to any car shows or go to Porsche events... It is a and cool driver, but If I parked it next 20 other Porsches it would blend in with the rest of them...
I am just a car nut and like all kinds and types of cars, but I have to admit that Hot Rods are what really get my blood pumping... I do have to say that Brent's Cobra definately has the look!!! Brent that is one fine looking ride you have there, are those Holibrands your running?...
Dave Brisco
Dave,
I favor the 289's for, what I consider, a more true to form look...
But I haven't seen a hot rod or a Cobra I didn't like,...
I'll try again to post a picture...
Ditto!!!! :) BTW, I would trade my vintage Porsche for a Cobra in a heartbeat... :)Quote:
Originally posted by KaiserSosa
Dave, I haven't seen a hot rod or a Cobra I didn't like,...
Dave Brisco
Great looking cars and really cool! But at 6'6" 250 they just arent for me.:D It is all I can do to fit in my Vette.:whacked:
Wade