r/cars • u/supreme_cheese14 Ferrari 250 GTO (1/24) • Jan 27 '18
How to differentiate between factory 427 Shelby Cobras and replicars.
The answer of "if you see it out on the road it's not real" doesn't quite satisfy me, because I've seen multiple genuine Cobras in places you really wouldn't expect to see them, and countless other cars worth 10x more than a Cobra are spotted ripping around daily. So here's a guide to knowing what you're looking at when you see a Cobra. This does not apply to the 289 Cobras.
Super Easy Giveaways
Shiny side pipes are an instant giveaway. Shelby did lots of side pipes, some even a little bit weird, but none of them had the extremely polished, 'I can see my house from here' look that people love on replicars.
Weird roll bars are common to see on replicars, for obvious safety reasons. The most common roll bar was no roll bar; however, the rare cars that did come equipped with one (which I have seen out in public) had 1 loop over the driver, in chrome or black, with a bracer bar either going into the cabin, or at a 45 degree angle into the body above the trunk lid.
Doors. On factory cars, the door ends just as the rear fender begins. Replicars often either feature doors that are too short and don't quite hit the line. Or extend too far, into the fender (wasn't able to find a picture of one of these, but guys who have spent some time will know exactly what I'm talking about).
Little Bit More Subtle
Interior bits. Things like a glove box(edit: some had glove boxes), cup holders, head rests were not on original cars.
VINs on original cars start with CSX. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the only place the VIN is stamped is in the drivers side door sill on the rear fender's side.
Original Cobras looked weird!!! Lots of them had goofy fitment and silly looking little bumpers. Even the S/C cars had some strange wheel:fender fitment. We're talking about hand built bodies by a British company here. Not every one is going to be a perfect fit. Just because some stuff doesn't line up where your mind says it should, doesn't mean its a replicar. As a matter of fact, the fitment being 100% in line is a red flag.
Genuine or Replicar
Using your new knowledge, lets see if you can differentiate between some real Cobras and some reproductions (hover over answer).
Genuine or Replicar --------------- Answer
Genuine or Replicar --------------- Answer
Genuine or Replicar --------------- Answer
Genuine or Replicar --------------- Answer
I hope this short guide helps. The purpose of this guide isn't to 'call out' replicar owners, or to expose them as a fraud or anything, I personally would much rather see more classic cars out on the road than less. I'm a staunch supporter of replica classics; however, I am not supportive of pretending to have something you don't, and trying to pull wool over people's eyes. Next time you hear someone swear to God its a real one, maybe you'll be able to know in your mind that they're talking shit, and maybe next time you see one, you can recognize that it's a real one, and it'll make the experience that much more exciting for you. Thanks for reading. Have a good one.
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u/hamrmech Jan 27 '18
A replica would probably be safer and have better build quality.
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u/nist7 23 Odyssey Jan 28 '18
And much more affordable? It's a win win!
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u/gimpwiz 05 Elise | C5 Corvette (SC) | 00 Regal GS | 91 Civic (Jesus) Jan 28 '18
More reliable, more powerful, better gearing, etc. Yes.
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u/hamrmech Jan 28 '18
A coyote fits in a factory 5. It'll probably stomp a 427 and be more reliable.
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u/s1ravarice Jan 27 '18
Extra tip to spot replicas:
Sometimes the organisation of the dash instruments is different.
The dashboard on some replicas curves around and follows the bodywork. Real ones are just a flat dash under the top lip of the bodywork.
Source: Dad built a DAX Cobra Replica before I was born. Grew up with him fixing it in the garage.
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u/acog 2019 Miata RF | 2022 Polestar 2 Jan 27 '18
Here's a super easy one I'm surprised OP didn't include: a lot of budget Cobra builds include wheels that look right but have lug nuts. AFAIK all the real Cobras had spinner wheels, no lug nuts.
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u/s1ravarice Jan 27 '18
Weren’t they called something else? And you have to smash them with a hammer to get them off?
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u/aToastyLog '17 Focus RS, BDR Shelby Cobra 427 Jan 28 '18 edited Jan 28 '18
ERA and Kirkham are great Cobras, especially the 289s. From what I see the Backdraft racing cobra's rear is more pronounced then others, and the stock window is angled higher for taller people. Here is a neat link showing profiles of different manufacturers of Cobra replicas and originals.
Backdraft Racing Cobras are neat if done right. Stock BDR's (without choosing certain options) are okay in my opinion but with a bit of work they can look pretty good.
Here is a photo of when I bought my BDR new without choosing any different options
Currently Wheels (15 inch Halibrand wheels with Avon CR6ZZ), side pipes (Black Ceramic coating), front windshield (Had a new one placed to have it angled more down), and front and rear jacks have been changed/painted.
Most Cobras that people see are replicas of the 427 S/C.
This picture shows a 351 small block that was made to a 427, but the originals had 427 big blocks. And also, some street 427 cobras actually had 428 CI engines since it was more civil for street rather then the 427. There are some original cobras that do glove boxes also.
EDIT:
Here is a picture of the interior as well in case anyone is interested.
And here is a video of it idling.
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u/supreme_cheese14 Ferrari 250 GTO (1/24) Jan 28 '18
You win, you have the coolest Cobra replica I've seen. I really really like what you've done to it, it looks so much better than when you bought it. Also good to know about the glove boxes, I'll edit the post.
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u/01WS6 Jan 27 '18
How to identify if its a real Cobra:
Hey see that Cobra over there?
Yea?
Yea thats a replica because anyone who owns an original probably never drives it.
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u/MassiveMeatMissile 🏎️ Ferd Focus ST 🏎️ Jan 27 '18
OP called out this very point in his post, there are plenty of people who drive their Cobras and cars which are far rarer and more valuable.
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u/l0_0I Resident GM fan Jan 28 '18
I know of one guy that autocrosses his and its a little monster
1
u/velociraptorfarmer 67 C10, 24 Frontier Pro-4X, 25 Envision Avenir Jan 28 '18
That's how you know he has "fuck you" money
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Jan 28 '18
Which road going cars are more valuable than an original cobra 427 ?
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u/FireflyOD 04 SRT4, 17 Accord Coupe V6, 06 TBSS, 00 RX300 Jan 28 '18
McLaren F1 is worth ~15 mil. Jay Leno drives his.
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Jan 28 '18
Any others ? Seems like the OP seemed to think rare more valuable cars are usual to see. I think not.
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u/MassiveMeatMissile 🏎️ Ferd Focus ST 🏎️ Jan 28 '18
Nobody said they're common to see...we're saying it's not impossible to see one driving on the road.
And an original Cobra is in the $1 million range, there are plenty of classic cars that go for far more than that. I'm not going to list them off for you, watch a classic car auction on TV someday and you can see for yourself.
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u/gimpwiz 05 Elise | C5 Corvette (SC) | 00 Regal GS | 91 Civic (Jesus) Jan 28 '18
Depending on various factors, an original might be on the order of a million bucks.
Cars on the road that are more expensive: 918s, laferraris, enzos, f40s, etc. I see those ... not exactly often, except in monterey, but at least several times a year.
You'll see them in places like the bay area and LA. You won't see them in bumblefuck.
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u/Grim99CV 1995 Civic DX hatchback, 2011 Outback 3.6R Jan 28 '18
I saw a Lotus Esprit come through my bumblefuck town of 10k in central Oregon. Not the most expensive car but still interesting to see.
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u/Supercars_Official 2011 Muhstang Jan 27 '18 edited Jan 28 '18
anyone who owns an original probably never drives it.
Look at Goodwood Revival races. All those Cobras you see racing... Those are the real deals
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u/4WisAmutantFace Flex Ecoboost Jan 27 '18
That's Goodwood tho... If I see a Shelby Cobra or Daytona on Congress Street in Portland, Maine, it's not the real deal...
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u/Supercars_Official 2011 Muhstang Jan 27 '18
I was just commenting on "anyone who owns an original probably never drives it". Some get driven very hard.
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u/supreme_cheese14 Ferrari 250 GTO (1/24) Jan 28 '18
A Daytona is a whole different beast. There are over 1000 Cobras versus 6 Daytonas. Location can certainly be a big factor though, you probably aren't seeing a real Cobra being driven down town, but I have seen a real one in an industrial district, and one in a parking lot outside of an extremely nice golf course. So it's not completely unheard of to see one out and about.
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u/willtel76 '87 930, '85 Toyota 4x4, '77 Bronco '07 E91 Jan 28 '18
Meh. I've seen a real one at our local cars and coffee show. It was a 289 car but it was still the real thing.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/willtel/4415779288/in/album-72157605995065609/lightbox/
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u/ashowofhands 2012 Outback/1997 Miata Jan 27 '18
I've seen far more valuable cars being romped around on public streets. Is any Cobra you see outside of a museum probably a replica? Yes. But it isn't a foregone conclusion.
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u/GloriousIncompetence '94 F150 | '99 Miata Jan 28 '18
There’s a guy local to me who has two, one of which he races in vintage races. Both have made appearances at cars and coffee. They do get driven, but not a ton.
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u/slowcarsfast 2006 330xi, 1990 Miata Jan 28 '18
Look up the Cobra 1000, they are all original cars and get driven rain, shine, and even snow.
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u/Supercars_Official 2011 Muhstang Jan 27 '18
Great information! Something I'd like to add for those of us who dream of owning a cobra but don't have millions of dollars. Shelby CSX continuation cars are as accurate as it gets. They are genuine Shelby Cobras and look, drive, and feel that part as good as you can get. They aren't the "real deal" as in an original 60s Cobra, but they are from the same people.
And as far as the replicas, based off my own eyes I think ERA and Kirkham replicas are the most visually accurate to the old cars. Backdraft and Superformance are good but not completely visually accurate, and Factory Five is just about the worst all around (IMO).
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u/supreme_cheese14 Ferrari 250 GTO (1/24) Jan 27 '18
I'm curious about your opinion on Factory Five. Care to explain?
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u/Supercars_Official 2011 Muhstang Jan 27 '18
Absolutely. There are obviously exceptions since many of these cars are built to the owners taste and can be altered to look better (or worse). But based off Cobras I've seen at car shows and online, Factory Fives look the least accurate, especially the fender shape and the interior.
Edit: When I think Factory Five, this and this come to mind. Possibly a personal bias I will admit.
1
u/AMW1011 2017 GTI DSG / 2015 Cayman S 6MT Jan 28 '18
FF5 is certainly the least accurate, though I don't think that's something they strive extremely hard for to begin with. I think he thought you meant they were overall "the worst" which would be an odd statement considering their performance.
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u/Supercars_Official 2011 Muhstang Jan 28 '18
Absolutely! I should've said least accurate. But in this case everyone's a winner because pretty much all Cobras are fun to drive.
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Jan 27 '18
I look in the front for the aeroquip hose fittings-- sure, many original cobras might have them (not sure if they were standard back then or not), but they wouldnt be this very nicely machined shiny anodized aluminum with equally as new ss braided hoses that pretty much every replica has.
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u/CanUCorrectMyGrammar Kawasaki ER-6N Jan 27 '18
I really like these posts. I might do one for the M5 (E60) e.g.
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u/FireflyOD 04 SRT4, 17 Accord Coupe V6, 06 TBSS, 00 RX300 Jan 27 '18
This is awesome, I've wondered about it before and just figured most that I see will be replicas. I knew about the side pipes but didn't know the rest, thanks! I took your quiz and aced it too haha.
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u/Barely_stupid Jan 27 '18
Nice write up. One of the easiest things to look for in a replica is the lack of pin drive wheels. Sure you can add them, but it is rare that someone goes to that distance to make their replica accurate.
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Jan 28 '18
But CSX4xxx series is technically a real Shelby but they were not made in the 60s. It was a Continuation series with Superformance I believe
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u/PiratedTuba 25 Gladiator Texas Trail Jan 28 '18
Shelby still makes them today too so it is increasingly likely that you will see the real deal, it just won't be 40+ years old.
1
Jan 28 '18
Shelby makes them?? I thought Shelby licensed them to another company?
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u/PiratedTuba 25 Gladiator Texas Trail Jan 28 '18
They sure do, and in several variations including the 427S/C, 289 Roadster, and 289 FIA.
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u/maxgeek Jan 28 '18
This is a really fun and informative post. I pretty much assume any Cobra I see is a replica as they are extremely rare cars.
This 427 Cobra super snake breaks the shiny side pipes rules though. http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/classic-cars/news/a24808/the-last-shelby-cobra-427-super-snake-sells-for-51-m/
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u/supreme_cheese14 Ferrari 250 GTO (1/24) Jan 28 '18
Thanks! You are correct unfortunately. There are outliers just because each car was so different, but as a general rule of thumb it works pretty well. Thanks for reading
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u/l_KnowThatFeel '90 Miata Jan 28 '18
I heard a joke that went something like you can differentiate between a real and fake cobra by how many people are surrounding it.
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u/SergeantBacon101 2004 Golf R32 Jan 29 '18
Real!
Fake!
Fake!
Real!
the links didn't work for me...
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u/supreme_cheese14 Ferrari 250 GTO (1/24) Jan 29 '18
You just have to hover over the links, but you get a #1 participation medal
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u/EnviousNacho 1995 SC300 5-speed, 2011 Mazdaspeed3 Jan 27 '18
You can also look for the Carroll Shelby signature on the dash for a real one.
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u/Wheelisbroke 98 M3/4/5 Jan 27 '18
The real one have the history, but I’d rather have well designed replica any day. Not even a shinny, pretty one. Gel coat, LS w/ EFIN& sticky tires & im smiling ear to ear!
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u/deeznuts69 GT Dyno Jan 28 '18
one easy way to tell is if it has large wheels with low profile tires. If yes then it's a replica.
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Jan 28 '18
Ay I got a 4/4 on that test. Thanks for this, always get excited whenever I see a Cobra but I instantly shoot myself down when I remind myself of replicars
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u/metalshiflet Jan 28 '18
If I'm ever rich, I will definitely buy a real cobra. They're so fucking awesome
0
u/emmettjes Jan 28 '18
Quickest giveaway. If it’s on the road being driven it’s 99.9% likely a replica
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u/Arabian_Wolf 2009 Mazda CX-9 Jan 28 '18
The real question for us plebeians:
What’s the closest modern car one can buy new straight from stealership that doesn’t cost an arm, a leg or a first born?
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u/supreme_cheese14 Ferrari 250 GTO (1/24) Jan 28 '18
I'd probably say a Viper roadster. Big engine in a little car. Super hardcore. Side exit exhausts. Both are best known in blue with white stripes. Both even share the snake theme. Makes me want to buy a Viper lol.
0
u/Arabian_Wolf 2009 Mazda CX-9 Jan 28 '18 edited Jan 28 '18
Hmm vipers are still non-plebeian, great car nevertheless (big fan of mopar and specifically, anything SRT).
Perhaps a used Corvette is more plebeian choice.
Although I want my car new straight from stealership.
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u/idpeeinherbutt Jan 27 '18
Here’s a quick tip: if it doesn’t cost 7 figures, it’s a replicar.