News:

SMF - installed December 2017.
Returning members - please use the 'Forgot Password' function when logging in to the new Forum for the first time. If you have changed your email address please let me know so I can update it.

Main Menu

Iconic - Holy Moly

Started by jellison, March 18, 2011, 16:04:23

Previous topic - Next topic

Gus Meyjes

Ok, old purists, let's start this one up again!!
   
   YOU ALL KNOW; I like this thing. I think it is fantastic and a real modern rendition of the 427 Cobra and I thank Lubinsky for lending the AC name to it! Living in Michigan myself, I hope to see one for real soon!
   
   Gus

cobham cobra

No, no, no, no, no !
   Gus I agree, here we go again [:D]
   It's not Iconic  eg pertaining to, or characteristic of an icon. Executed according to a convention or tradition. ...
   
   It's ironic.....from the Ancient Greek meaning dissimulation or feigned ignorance.
   
   Nailing an AC badge on a few bits of composite with a big engine does not make an AC.
   If the sum of the parts results in such good car how and why does an AC badge add any value ?
   
   I would expect anyone capable of making a great car would want their name on it and not be looking to hide behind a name so rooted in the past.
   
   John.

TLegate

Thanks John - I've been trying not to post a reply as I'll only go off on one!!
   
   But while I'm here - the whole point of the Cobra is surely to create a very simple, raw driving machine, one devoid of gizmos, computers (fer chrissake) and other totally pointless tat. To associate that fugly creation with anything from what was once 'AC' is surely a major insult? Not that some folk give a rats ass about that. And as for nailing badges on stuff like.................time for more medication :-(

cobham cobra

Hi  Trevor,
   That was a very controlled response......[;)]
   Go on, give it both barrels.
   
   Cheers - John.
   
   
   BTW – I've got an AC badge on my desk. Does that make it a Cobra, or a desk with a badge on it ?

nikbj68

quote:
Originally posted by cobham cobra...BTW – I've got an AC badge on my desk. Does that make it a Cobra, or a desk with a badge on it ?

   Are you claiming this desk to be an:
   
  • original AC desk,
  • a continuation AC desk,
  • a replica AC desk
  • or a Kit-desk(MFI? Hardly likely for a man of your standing, or in the case of desks, sitting.)

   
   And anyway... As we all know... Carol Shebly designed and built all them ol` desks, and I hear she has found some uncompleted ones behind the chickenshed. Was yours made by some winos under a railway arch?
   [;)]

TLegate

Both barrels Sir John?? You know me, always calm and in control (my therapist tells me...)
   
   Clearly you own an original AC Cobra desk which is worth a Kings ransom - I'll expect to see it in an RM auction some time soon. Not within my budget of course. Actually I've just found a much-loved old AC badge in my desk (cheers Nik) so I must own a replica of your desk! Or in my sad case, a Kit-desk (trust me on that one!)

Alan Faulkner-Stevens

What on earth is happening to AC? They had a fantastic product, the Cobra, built in traditional terms. The last true variant being the English built CRS. A tried and tested chassis with a modern bodyshell, Ford engine and excellent build quality and it met all the current legal criteria. It then reappears as the MkV, which was a very poorly contructed thing, embarrasingly bad build quality, which fortunately died quickly. Then to add insult to injury a the MkVI, a kit car, well engineered, but a kit never the less with a AC badge on it. Now another well engineered assembly of parts with a AC badge on it. How can one company get it so wrong? Carroll Shelby continues to produce his CSX Cobras, with fibreglass or aluminim bodies, following all the tried, tested and well known componets which just keep selling. They are a good price, build by Shelby or approved people to give a known, desirable product.
   Why didn't AC go down Shelbys route?

nikbj68

quote:
Originally posted by Alan Faulkner-Stevens...Why didn't AC go down Shelbys route?

   I thought they do, via the AC Heritage/Brooklands built continuations, but in our very best of British tradition, they prefer not to shout about it, as our vulgar colonial cousins do.
   
   (Tongue very much in cheek, but you know what I mean!) [;)]

cobham cobra

Hi Nik,
   It's an original desk with good provenance and some racing history. Most of its racing career was in Europe and it has had some well known people sitting behind it. Unfortunately due the nature of desk racing back in the '70s the desk needed to be restored. This was done during the classic furniture bubble of the late '90s  and no expense was spared. During the restoration, by a well known specialist, all four legs and the top were replaced, but the middle draw is original. Though it was thought the damaged legs and top were discarded, they were in fact repaired and have been used to create another desk which has gone on to cause some confusion.
   
   Unfortunately, because of the value of the desk I hardly ever use it now and certainly wouldn't consider racing it again, unless I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to compete in the annual Office Historic Racing at Goodwood. Sadly I now use a replica for day-to-day work which is a shame as I think these beautiful old desks should be used.
   [;)]

TLegate

God I do miss MFI.....

cobham cobra

I agree, at least with the old desks you could see the person sitting there trying to control it. Now with modern desks and ground effects and computers etc they all look the same.

TLegate

My old racing desk had circular knobs - you know, the ones that whip the draws out.....
   
   Now that Adrian Newey - he could design a desk!! Even found a home for your anglepoise :-0

Classicus

Any idea how long Office Historic Racing has been going especially on the old cobbled tracks as I just don't fancy any of these at all ?
   
   http://pitstop.intro-techautomotive.com/RaceDesk.html

TLegate

John, your prayers are answered! I can see a whole line of those competing at Wings & Wheels...
   
   I'll take mine in billet aluminum (oops, sorry that's a Kirkham desk)
   
    No word about them being eligible for FIA papers?