Thread: What do you guys think about Cobra's (replica's)

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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.

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....

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...