Dear MKIV owners,
This past weekend I participated in the Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance in the Club Car Jamboree because my MKIV is not old enough (1972 or older) for the concours event. This year there was a special event called "A British Thing". A couple of years back there was a similar British theme but my Cobra was overlooked instead there were two BMW Minis in the line up. I guess they thought I had a kit car. This year I got lucky, They pick me to be in the parade of 10 British Things. I was the first in line and the first at the podium. I shut off the car and looked at the MC, at that moment I knew I was in trouble. I could see he did not know what the car was. He approached me and ask my name on the PA system then stalled. I figured I had the perfect solution that could not be questioned so I handed him the original window stacker from the Ford dealership with a large AC Logo. He read the first line "1986 Autokraft AC MKIV" then added "a Shelby Cobra replica". I was pissed but did not call he out because I did not want to embarrass him. But he was not done with me. He then told me I had won second place in the Hagerty's award but did not hand me trophy. Later a few of the Host were together in the shade. As I walked past, one commended me on my award. I said thank you but I did not receive anything. He graciously said "OH it is beautiful, lets go get it". Then one of the other host said wait, they made a mistake you did not win.
On the bright side, in Sunday's concours event there were a number of "Real Cobras" both MKII's and MKIII's. Both MKIII's were street versions with no hood scoops and 428's. One belonging to Jim Maxwell is original including the paint. The best was Ron Finger's original USRRC factory race car. My MKIV looked much nicer then any of the original Cobras. There was only one kit car built in 2009 in the entire event but it was in a concour category for modified Fords as a 1967. So my question is should I buy a Pinto or tell them my Cobra is a 1967? [}:)]
Sincerely,
Fred Mix