Thinking about trading my '66 GT350...

It depends on how much history you and your 66 GT 350 have. Have you owned it a very long time? Do anything special in it? Do track events, shows?
I get the same comments about my 67 GT 350. I could sell it, do what you are thinking, and still be money ahead. But gee, it was something I always wanted. I've owned it since 1971. It would be like trading a child. So, it stays.

 

Very hard for someone else to tell you what to do. Do what you want while you can (mom always told me this). If trading your 350 is your only viable option to obtaining the CSX4000; then you probably need to take the leap. BUT, you probably won't have the opportunity to get another GT350. Food for thought.

Tommy

 

Which one ....... will increase in value over time, be easier to sell down the road if you need the money, do they not make any more ...and never will again, has over 40 years of history? Ultimately it is up to you , but I think I would pass.
Jon

 

I sold a 68 GT500 3 years ago and bought a CSX4000 series car. I had a lot of fun with that COBRA for one year and then sold it and got a 67 GT500. I never regretted my decision as I had the Cobra Itch and it needed to be scratched big time!! sitting in my chair reviewing your post brought back a flood of memories from those contemplative days before I got my COBRA. in the current market however, your 66GT350 will always trump the CSX4000 car and I believe it will for years to come. keep your 66 and get a $25-30,000 Cobra if you must.- Dave

 

The Cobra is easier to wash, takes up less space in the garage, is more fun to drive. The 66 will look better in your portfolio. Which one will YOU look better in?

 

I have to ask have you ever driven or been riding in the type of car you are looking to buy ?? I would have to before I could make that decision on selling the 66. It also depends on if you have other toys?? There is not much information listed in your profile so it is hard to give an acurate opinion. You may own other great cars and will not miss the 66 !!!!

Dominic

 

The Only Car I Would Trade My 66 Gt 350 For Would Be A Ford Gt
Red/white Or Maybe White/blue. Thats Just Me But It Sounds Good

 

Nope.

Why? First Cobras have never done anything for me ... like other exotics they were never an option so they never became something to wish for.

In addition I tend to look over the windshield when sitting in one... wearing it like a speedo .... not a pretty sight.

 

Not just you, that's something I've considered as well.........

 

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but the CSX cars are $100K+ and still a replica. If you're tall, drive one first and see if you like your legs and feet permanently offset to the left. Cobra styling is great and unique, and I always wanted one. I drove one and that ended my dreaming. Nice to look at, but I'd never drive it. Bottom line - I'd keep the 66 GT350.

If I wanted an open track car, I'd get a modern Mustang, SVT, Saleen, Roush. Used or new. Be safer and go fast.

If I wanted something to drive every day, a Cobra or replica isn't it. As someone said, you're looking over the windshield, it's like getting into a Lotus Elise (i.e. position yourself, grab the top of the windshield and fall in). I don't know how you get if the top is up. No modern safety features. I'd buy a Shelby GT - more than enough for around town, cheap, reliable, safe.

 

I am a full believer in the idea that the csx4000 cars are authentic....they are not original but they certainly are an authentic car. Would have to disagree with the term 'replica' being applied to a car produced by shelby autos.
As for the trade, i believe that our feedback can only put things in perspective for you. It is your decision....you do have to live with the car and as a few people have already to said...the 66 is much easier to live with. However, the csx4000 can do 0-60 in about half the time!
Best Regards,
Vern

 

Replica is too strong, I agree. They're something other than what most people think of as a real, original Cobra. That is, one made by SA and sold new in the 60s. Continuation, kit car, whatever... they look great, don't get me wrong, and have all the attributes of light car/big engine/wind in your face driving. My point is that they're a lot of money, will always be a driver vs. a piece of history. If I had unlimited garage space and money, I'd buy a CSX too. But not if it's a trade with a 66 Shelby.

 

Really tough choice. I would venture to say genuine '66 GT350s will be over $100,000 soon in which case you might be throwing away some future profit potential. On the other hand, the loophole which allows kit cars to be built and sold (check on how easy they are to register in your particular state before you make your move) might be closed someday and likely those cars already sold will be "grandfathered in."

In other words the opportunity to own a rootin' tootin' 427 Cobra replica won't be there forever.

And ever since I saw a polished out 427 Cobra replica (being driven by Tom Kirkham) I realized that there is no higher point in automotive ownership (well, maybe I would take a 250GTO...) and you only live once, so I'd go for it
but only if they would make it a dead ringer for a '65 Comp Cobra, 427FE and all. And if you buy it from Shelby you might be able to have it signed by The Man, which is equiv. of having Picasso sign a print as you buy it. If you document the signing photographically, your car might keep pace appreciation wise with the Shelby you sold....

 

I had your delimma in reverse. I own a ERA replica 427 S/C and also always wanted a 65 Shelby GT350 but couldn't afford one. The Cobra is a ball to drive and very, very fast. It is strictly a fair weather car. People drool over it wherever you go and ask if it is real or a replica.

My solution was to keep the Cobra and buy a 65 Shelby GT350 R model clone. It is also fun to drive and has a few more creature comforts than the Cobra. Both cars are fun to open track with but they are very different. If your primary consideration is the "investment" value then keep your GT350. But if you want to also have a Cobra you can find a used one ready drive for $25,000 to $45,000 and have fun with both. You definitely need to drive a Cobra before you decide to sell the GT350.

Good luck with your decision.

Dick

 

The real one should be kept for investment as long as possible

I like the guy from Idaho's solution--a roadster for pure fun, but not much practicality (short driving season in Idaho) and a GT350 R model clone
for more practicality. If I had a genuine GT350 though, I would feel (internal) pressure to hang onto it as long as I could for the value it could give my family (send the kids to college etc.). I know I had one friend who had three real GT350s and through the years has sold two of them but ironically the one that he has left could still end up paying for the doubling of his house size. If only he would have hung onto all three!

Replicas are only for fun; no investment value so I wouldn't feel any guilt selling those too soon or even to get one with an engine or trans I liked better.

 

The GT350 will go up in value while the Cobra is dropping. A Have you driven a Cobra ? If you are not worried about values, get whatever you like but there are more and more Cobra's every day. I remember seeing a web site with hundreds of them for sale and you could get a good Superformance for in the 40's ? Kirkham aluminum for under 100 ? I personally would keep the 66 and try on a replica for a day and see if I liked it. I'm guessing your lust for the Cobra will be satisfied in about 2 weeks of driving it and then think about how hard it will be to sell compared to selling the 66.

 

last comment the most right on...

...the replica Cobra is that stripper you met at the mall
with augmented proportions who looks great and might be fun
to spend a besotted weekend with in Cancun but not be fun in the long run.
The '66 Shelby has in spite of its Mustang origins become an object d'art that is lusted after worldwide so now it all depends on your relative income.If you make under $50,000 a year, I'd say you can't let go a potential two years income as long as it's holding steady or going up in value. On the othr hand, if you make $300K a year, it's not that big a deal to cash out now.

What's the words to that song "You got to know when to hold 'em and know when to close 'em."

Replicas are probably even rentable. I'd just rent one for a weekend, even if it costs $500 you can get the lust for one out of your system.

 

wcampbell,
You sure have created a dilema for your self. I too, at one time, have pondered that same thought. Back several years ago when it was still
Shelby American,Inc. that was on the VIN Tag; it was a much harder
decision to make. Very tempting. I finally passed and kept my '66 Shelby.

Today, your CSX?000 VIN TAG will read: Shelby Autos, Inc. Doesn't seem
to have the same draw as Shelby American, Inc. Can you handle that?
Last time I looked in a dictionary: the word "Replica" was described as "an
exact duplicate of the original". Anything less, is just a kit car, period.
Seems the word, "replica" gets misused a ton, nowdays.

Just a couple of thoughts you might wish to consider in your process of elimination. And some of the other suggestions have merit as well. Good luck on your final decsion, whichever way you go. After all, you are the one that will have to live with it. Regards,
shlby66