How To Spot A Replica?

"Chris Clarke" (shiftsandgiggles) 07/26/2014 at 11:11 • Filed to: shelby cobra

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Who can tell me if this is real? Seen at the local movie theater. It sure sounded real.

Corz > Chris Clarke 07/26/2014 at 11:13

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It's being driven, so that means its fake.

Team6.1 > Corz 07/26/2014 at 11:16

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My rule of thumb: it is always a fake. Especially if it is parked somewhere unattended. Not to say a real cobra hasn't ever actually been driven down the street, but unless they have photos and documents to legitimize it. Plus statistically the number of kits in existence far outweigh the number of real ones

Ducky > Corz 07/26/2014 at 11:19

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this is pretty much the rule of thumb. Actual Shelby cobras used off the shelf parts but were built by Shelby and are thus more valuable than printer ink.

A car built using the same off the shelf Ford parts (and, effectively, the exact same car minus identifying number plates) by some jerk off who is not Carroll Shelby is worth whatever the sum price of those parts happens to be nowadays.

discoronin > Chris Clarke 07/26/2014 at 11:20

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Usually, real ones have knock off hubs with Halibrands. So, I look at the wheels first to check. This one has lug nuts.

Corz > Team6.1 07/26/2014 at 11:21

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Plus, theres that whole thing about fiberglass bodied kits and aluminum bodied originals..

GoliathRex > Ducky 07/26/2014 at 11:28

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What is the going rate for a real one, and a reproduction? I wouldn't be surprised if owners of originals sometimes have a fake one to drive.

Sn210 > Chris Clarke 07/26/2014 at 11:30

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There was a post a while back that had a lot of ways to spot a replica. I found it!

Like discoronin said, the lug nuts are the easiest go to give-away. The old post had another good one: the fender lourves are painted on the originals and not usually on replicas.

JGrabowMSt > Chris Clarke 07/26/2014 at 11:33

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batteries are behind the seats in a real one. Polished bullet style side view mirrors are not on all original cars.

Even licensed replicas dont put the battery behind the seats.

Basically, the owner isnt babysitting it, so its not real. I see plenty of real ones being driven, but they do not get left unattended for a second.

Reckoning Day > Chris Clarke 07/26/2014 at 11:52

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So if someone gives you one, you won't take it ?

Anon > Chris Clarke 07/26/2014 at 11:59

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Next time you see it you should place a piece of paper with the suicide hotline's phone number under the wiper. Anyone that drives a replica cobra obviously has a death wish.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Chris Clarke 07/26/2014 at 12:09

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1)No one in their right mind would park and leave a real one in the middle of a parking lot.

2)

It sure sounded real.

I can't think of a single Cobra replica that doesn't have a hue V8. So that doesn't mean anything.

3) I don't think a real Cobra was ever made in that color with those wheels.

4) Unless you are informed otherwise, a good rule of thumb is to always assume a replica, because 99.9% of the time, it is.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > GoliathRex 07/26/2014 at 12:11

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Real ones go from $1-2 million.

Seat Safety Switch > Anon 07/26/2014 at 12:14

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The FFR ones have surprisingly good suspension geometry, with adjustable everything. The one I drove didn't want to kill me at all, although that was probably all in the setup.

TheRallyStache > Chris Clarke 07/26/2014 at 12:24

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Someone once said, "Want to know how to tell if a Cobra is genuine or a replica? Easy. It's a replica."

Kanaric > Corz 07/26/2014 at 13:04

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Yup this.

I wouldn't say these are "fake" they are someones built from the ground up kit car, or bought from someone who did that, they are not a fiero with ferrari fenders.