Comments, News & Questions

Comments, News & Questions>

how go the Cobra industry????

ddcobra 23 posts Oct 01, 2008 8:32 AM	Hi guys i just want to know how go the Cobra industy in your area? I talked personaly to Jason at Shell Valley and he said to me they did not sell a car in the last 4 mont and Hurricane still not re open!!I hope the Cobra industry will not lost some good manufacture with this bad economy. Don, ---------- D&D Cobra 940 boul Simard #1 Chambly Qc J3l 4X2 Canadian Ac Cobra builder Last Edited on 1-Oct-2008 8:32 AM
Nomad SENIOR MEMBER 395 posts Oct 01, 2008 8:58 AM	Hi, just read your Post. Out here on the "Wet Coast" of Canada, there is no Cobra "Industry", but I can comment on the Cobra Consumer's. Just in the last year, I am aware of 6 new builds, within a 100 mile radius of home. I live in a rural area, not in the heart of a large city, I might add. I find that very promising. As to our current economic times, I would suggest that we really haven't seen the trickle down effect yet, as the Market Corrections and revelations are just starting to surface. I think one "bell weather" sign will be the BJ Auction in Scotsdale, come January. I am only surmising here, but I firmly believe that if you offer a superior Product, that those with disposable Income will indulge themselves. The first to go in any tough times are often those that had no buisness being in the buisness in the first place. Perhaps they had an inferior Product, poor promotion skills, or simply couldn't balance a cheque book. If you look back at the big Depression, there were some magnificent automobiles built, [in small numbers] and they sold. Anyway, there is my comment, and thanks for Posting. ---------- There are three kinds of people: those who can count, and those who can't count.
AC Bill 25 posts Oct 01, 2008 10:16 AM	Maybe FFR is stealing a few sales from Shell Valley? Four months is a long time without a sale! In Canada, the FFR is apparently one replica kit that the DOT allows in without much hassle, as they have sold over a hundred here in the last few years here. Other manufactures may not want to do the extensive communications/paperwork needed to get the DOT ok, so are losing sales to our growing market?
Nomad SENIOR MEMBER 399 posts Oct 01, 2008 5:18 PM	"In Canada, the FFR is apparently one replica kit that the DOT allows in without much hassle", Bingo! I believe that is actually the case. It's strange that we can import lead paint laced furniture, malimene laced candies, but God forbid we import Cobra Kits! ---------- There are three kinds of people: those who can count, and those who can't count.
427SnakeSC Administrator 1249 posts Oct 01, 2008 5:26 PM	Careful, don't anger the great god "Transport Canada" He may strike fear and wraith into us all! ---------- "There is nothing nice about a Cobra. It's stripped down to the essentials, a big engine, a small car, and four wide tires to keep the whole business on the pavement. It's loud, smells like gasoline, and shakes, shudders, and bucks. It makes your arms tired and your feet hot. You nearly crash about once every 10 minutes. It's so damn wonderful that you can't believe it."
Venam Charter Member 159 posts Oct 01, 2008 8:24 PM	Well folks my 3 pennies worth if I may. Firstly Jason at Shell Valley I know personally, and he is correct about not selling cars, but they had a lot of part sales. Which as you may know is even better profit margins sometimes. I alone spent over $5000 in parts with him with in that time period. As for FFR not being touched by TC,...well here comes the rude awakening friends...they are being looked at and they will be hammered like everyone else EVENTUALY. No one is under the radar anymore. You can thank a few individuals at TC who just do not like people like us. People with a passion for cars. (If it was a govt dept dealing with art of a sculpture made of raw meat we would be fine) But buyers and sellers will be hammered in 2 ways. 1) We who already have the cars will all be called forward like jury duty but not random, to present our cars. They will filter out the liars (i.e glass body cars registered as a 1966 Cobra) 2) Companies selling Kits will be a personal witch hunt of these 2 people (we all know who they are)SPF is gone...you better put all your betting money everyone else is sure to follow. Conclusion? 1) If you ever wanted to build a kit DO IT KNOW AND REGISTER IT AS A KIT NOT A 1966, PLUS PRICE HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER. 2) IF YOU EVER WANTED TO BUY A TURN KEY DO IT NOW FOR PRICE AND MAKE SURE IT IS PROPERLY REGISTED...GRANDFATHERING WILL NOT APPLY TO ANY OWNERS CARRIED OVER. ---------- The topic of procrastination will be dealt with tomorrow Last Edited on 1-Oct-2008 8:31 PM
427SnakeSC Administrator 1250 posts Oct 01, 2008 11:38 PM	Yikes Venam! I kinda figured this would be coming, but where did you hear all that? ---------- "There is nothing nice about a Cobra. It's stripped down to the essentials, a big engine, a small car, and four wide tires to keep the whole business on the pavement. It's loud, smells like gasoline, and shakes, shudders, and bucks. It makes your arms tired and your feet hot. You nearly crash about once every 10 minutes. It's so damn wonderful that you can't believe it."
Ron75 SENIOR MEMBER 656 posts Oct 02, 2008 6:16 AM	I guess things here in the states are worse than in Canada right now. California has always been almost impossible to register any kit in unless you know a politician or someone in the DMV that will reserve one of the 500 numbers per year we are allowed. There used to be about 15 Cobras in my area and now I think there are maybe two or three and I never see them any more. Lots of them listed for sale at really good prices, and if I lived in any other state I have seen a few that I would have bought. But the economy and all the rest of which I know you are aware has just about killed all car markets in this area and we may even lose one or two dealerships before this all bottoms out. Next month they have a big auction scheduled for the court house steps where they are going to auction off homes and property that they have foreclosed on. If I had any extra money, I would be tempted to go see what they are selling for as this would be a good time to buy anything around here. Ron ---------- Ron Widener
cobra25 48 posts Oct 02, 2008 8:33 AM	My area Nor-Cal seems to be doing real well. Last Edited on 2-Oct-2008 8:33 AM
Nomad SENIOR MEMBER 403 posts Oct 02, 2008 9:51 AM	Cobra25, thankyou for Posting a Picture of "Heaven". ---------- There are three kinds of people: those who can count, and those who can't count.
Ron75 SENIOR MEMBER 657 posts Oct 02, 2008 9:55 AM	Cobra25, Where was that picture taken? I live in Shasta Lake just North of Redding and we used to get several of the Bay Area Cobra Club members up here when we had a Cobra group. Now as I said above, I only know of two or three left around here and I never see them driven. There used to be a bunch of pictures of one of our get together on Cobra Country listed as Emerson's Cobras by the Rover Bash or something along those lines. And the World Of Collector Cars came up here one day and spent all day filming all of us with the Cobras and they showed it on three weekend segments. I miss the days when we had a bunch here. Ron ---------- Ron Widener
cobra25 53 posts Oct 02, 2008 10:04 AM	This place is near you Ron! It happens to be the same place my new cobra is coming from. http://www.denbestemotorsports.com/files/csx_4000.html Here is a better pic of the Collection. There is more I could not fit in the picture..
Ron75 SENIOR MEMBER 660 posts Oct 02, 2008 10:15 AM	That is a nice place. I hope that you have yours very soon. The waiting, especially the last day or so is the worst or was for me. I am really looking forward to seeing some pictures of it and hear it just like I was Bruce's. I would be happy to run down and pick it up and bring it up here for a trial break in through the mountains. Ron LOL ---------- Ron Widener
427SnakeSC Administrator 1253 posts Oct 02, 2008 10:42 AM	Careful Cobra25, Ron tried to trick me the same way! LOL! ---------- "There is nothing nice about a Cobra. It's stripped down to the essentials, a big engine, a small car, and four wide tires to keep the whole business on the pavement. It's loud, smells like gasoline, and shakes, shudders, and bucks. It makes your arms tired and your feet hot. You nearly crash about once every 10 minutes. It's so damn wonderful that you can't believe it."
Ron75 SENIOR MEMBER 661 posts Oct 02, 2008 10:44 AM	Hey, I resemble that remark. Besides that place is just a three hour drive from me. I could have it up here and broken in and back down there for him in a couple of days. Ron LOL ---------- Ron Widener
427SnakeSC Administrator 1254 posts Oct 02, 2008 11:14 AM	3 hours! I've seen a set of tires burnt off in a few minutes of burnouts! Cobra25, watch out for Ron, he's tricky! LOL! ---------- "There is nothing nice about a Cobra. It's stripped down to the essentials, a big engine, a small car, and four wide tires to keep the whole business on the pavement. It's loud, smells like gasoline, and shakes, shudders, and bucks. It makes your arms tired and your feet hot. You nearly crash about once every 10 minutes. It's so damn wonderful that you can't believe it." Last Edited on 2-Oct-2008 11:22 AM
cobra25 54 posts Oct 02, 2008 11:34 AM	Ron, I have no worries. You definately should go down and visit with the group at Denbeste. They are the nicest people and love to talk about the cars. I know when you get there you will find lots and lots of cars you would love to flog without permission...LOL
Ron75 SENIOR MEMBER 662 posts Oct 03, 2008 7:30 AM	25, Were any of those Mustangs and other cars in your picture for sale or were they customers cars? Ron ---------- Ron Widener
cobra25 Charter Member 55 posts Oct 03, 2008 7:46 AM	Ron, Bill DenBeste has a lot of cars for sale. Cobras, Gt-40s, mustangs, etc. Many of the cars in his collection, but I think anything is for sale. As far as customer cars, I think there is only 1-2 cars in those pics.
Ron75 SENIOR MEMBER 663 posts Oct 03, 2008 7:55 AM	Thanks. Now one of these days when I can get my mind together, I may just take a run down there and look at what he has. Right now my mind is kind of trying to imitate Nomads. Ron ---------- Ron Widener
mickmate 1 post Oct 08, 2008 8:03 PM	I had a visit with the Denbeste crew recently. The picture shows less than half of the place! They are nice people and Shelby crazy. A lot of those are Bills personal collection. Back to the original topic Kit Car had a foreword in their mag about 2 issues back. They say the Cobra has always been the darling of the kit car industry and they see no end in sight to it after 15 or 20 years in the business. Hurricane was up for sale by the last owners, they did the right thing by customers and wrapped it up with a good reputation and every order filled. It has since been bought and moved back to Texas where it originated and is reestablishing itself in the market place and getting the manufacturing geared up for bigger production numbers than it has previously seen. Look at the list of Cobra builders on this site, the industry is supporting a huge turnover of these things worldwide.
Ross154 Charter Member 46 posts Oct 09, 2008 6:11 AM	Ron, you have my deepest sympathies. ---------- Ross.
Nomad SENIOR MEMBER 421 posts Oct 09, 2008 11:51 PM	You are a brave man Ross154................. ---------- Rehab is for quitters.
Ron75 SENIOR MEMBER 683 posts Oct 10, 2008 5:41 AM	Nomad is awake again. Nomad you whould be out driving instead of just messing around. And don't whine about a little cool air. Ron LOL ---------- Ron Widener
DobeBob 18 posts Oct 10, 2008 10:01 AM	You're correct Ron- Nomad should be out driving around- as I plan to do in about an hour- heading for "the Smoking Oldies" car club lunch get-together.... :<) I'll try to post some pics later if possible....
427SnakeSC Administrator 1286 posts Oct 10, 2008 12:32 PM	Sounds good, Bob! Wish I was running with you! ---------- "There is nothing nice about a Cobra. It's stripped down to the essentials, a big engine, a small car, and four wide tires to keep the whole business on the pavement. It's loud, smells like gasoline, and shakes, shudders, and bucks. It makes your arms tired and your feet hot. You nearly crash about once every 10 minutes. It's so damn wonderful that you can't believe it."
Nomad SENIOR MEMBER 426 posts Oct 10, 2008 9:35 PM	DobeBob, you are making me feel suicidal........ ---------- Rehab is for quitters.
Ron75 SENIOR MEMBER 685 posts Oct 11, 2008 3:06 AM	Nomad, Less naps and more driving will take care of your suicidal feelings. I know there are times that if I had a car I would feel much better after going for a drive. Do it now before the world ends. Ron LOL ---------- Ron Widener
427SnakeSC Administrator 1294 posts Oct 11, 2008 12:59 PM	I am only the messenger here, so as the saying goes, "Don't shoot me, I am only the messenger!" "Hey Nomad here's the photos I promised of my drive and visit with the "Smokin Oldies" at our lunch meeting yesterday- Oct 10 2008, what a FINE day it was for driving a COBRA yesterday.....hmmm.....- no traction, but a fun drive just the same..." Great pics, Bob! Wished I could have been there! ---------- "There is nothing nice about a Cobra. It's stripped down to the essentials, a big engine, a small car, and four wide tires to keep the whole business on the pavement. It's loud, smells like gasoline, and shakes, shudders, and bucks. It makes your arms tired and your feet hot. You nearly crash about once every 10 minutes. It's so damn wonderful that you can't believe it." Last Edited on 11-Oct-2008 2:18 PM
cobra25 Charter Member 66 posts Oct 11, 2008 3:47 PM	What a nice fall day you had to cruise the Cobra. I liked the green mustang and the flat black hot-rod..oh and, of course, your cobra! The Toyota was not my cup of tea....;) Thanks for the pics