How do you guys feel about clones?

[Super Blue 72]

Sorry to get off topic but as far as factory five goes it is a great economical way to build a kit. However their bodies are way out of proportion and many of the lines are completely different than that of a real cobra. My dad works for one of the top cobra builders and so I have learned a lot about cobras the past few years and I will never own a factory five kit because there are way better kits out there that aren't that much more money

Off topic alert! 


   Ya know, I was looking more and more at their cars and their bodies are a little messed up compared to the originals...  Oh well, I like them because they are sorta local and they give me free food at their open house!   

What company does your Dad work for?  You can PM me so we don't go too far off topic.... 

[4THECHALLENGE]

 

[Andrew]

im building a clone and gonna pass it up as the real thing ...and cash in like its the real thing.

Let us know how that turns out....

I personally dont have a problem with clones. I would never build a factory origonal clone tho. Like if I was cloning a 318 challenger binto an R/T, I wouldnt bother putting in a horrible little 2watt am radio. I would install my own cheap panasonic CD player with a couple 6 inch speakers hacked into the kick-panels, then bridge the rear outputs to power a crap sub in a poorly built box.

Why? Because thats just the kind of person I am. Why build a clone, when you can build a monster that looks sorta-kinda-a-bit factory.

[TreeFrog]

one of the awesome things about a clone is that it could have been.
it is what the factory would have put out.
now if you only go 50-90% it is still cool.

just dont try and sell one as original...

[CHUCKS71]

one of the awesome things about a clone is that it could have been.
it is what the factory would have put out.
now if you only go 50-90% it is still cool.

just dont try and sell one as original...

I'm making mine a 71 R/T clone that I can drive and not worry about.

[Topcat]

A clone beat out 2 original R code E bodies that were meticulously restored.
It won best of show 2 weeks ago at Ohlone.

...is that right?

[NoMope Greg]

Sure, why not?  If it had been a Pro-Street car or a really well-done g-machine, wouldn't that be OK?  Now if had won best restoration, that would be another thing all together, but I think an award to a clone for Best of Show is fine.

[The Cuda Guy]

and going down the road I don't think anyone can read the vin tag anyways.

Good point!  I dont have issues with it as long as someone doesnt lie about their car or try to sell it as original ect.     I mean a nice Mopar is a nice Mopar.

Don

[71ChallengerSE]

Im fine with clones just as long as they don't try and sell them as the real thing. The clones give you something nice to look at when there just aren't any real cars around. I am turning mine into a 71 340 R/T but im not making it look factory, I am just going to build it the way I want.

[ChallengerGary]

Personally  I love clones.  Basically, you can take a 318 car and treat it as a blank slate.  Build it like you would have ordered it from the factory.  I am also very found of "phantoms."  Those are "clones" of cars the factory never built - like the 71 Challenger R/T ragtop with a 440 & Shaker in my sig pic   

[KZ]

Clones are perfectly acceptable AS LONG AS the seller fully discloses up front to the buyer(s) that the car is a clone. It will then be up to the buyer what amount of $ he(she) is willing to pay.

[Plum6Pak]

I've already posted a few times in this thread but I just have to say this. You can talk about REAL or not REAL all day long, I would bet there aren't too many totally CORRECT, REAL more DESIREABLE cars out there in the first place. (there are a few more better ones though)    What I mean is that once you've put on that new fender, painted it, bent it back iinto shape, patched that rust hole, etc etc etc, it's not all together original anyway. CORRECT? Some of the words and terms that get used over and over get very old, CORRECT, DESIREABLE and REAL, they get REAL old REAL fast. Of course it's a REAL car, just not numbers matching. Lets just use terms like sweet, nice, bad, cool, groovy, (groovy?)  LOL (sixties term). You get what I mean, treat everyone with respect, it's their ride, they are happy (or not) with what they have, don't begin with is it real? If you are buying or in a show, numbers matching (sounds more better) is very important, but for other enthusiests, lets not try to have correct, original, desireable be the first words out of your mouth when you see someone elses ride. 
We are in this for the love we have for these great classics. (well most of us are) That's all I have to say bout that, fire away!!! LOL 

[mopardave]

clones vs. numbers correct. they are all classics in there own right and It is about who has more money. All of the cars are worthy of being what that car builder wants them to be. We should NOT be so critical or judgemental of cars that we haven't built. Be happy or proud of what you have built, Because there is alot of people out there that can't afford either and just dream of being an owner of a classic mopar muscle car.

 

[Sean]

Let me throw one more term out there that hasn't been mentioned - Tribute.  Don't know what it means or really care.

I plan on making an AAR out of my 72 Barracuda.  I'm going to make it as close as I possibly can within my means to an original AAR.  I'm going to be the one who decides what is close enough to the car I'm trying to recreate. 

Call it what you like, I'm not into labels.  I don't have time for those who ridicule and offer unsolicited/non-constructive criticism.  It's my car, my time and my money.  Nobody earned it except me. 

As far as the supposed 'value' of the car, I feel just as nervous about it getting hit, scratched or dented as I would if it was a car that went for 2 million on Barrett-Jackson.  Metal and plastic can always be repaired.  To me, personal appreciation is worth more than monetary value.  However, I'm not in the business of reworking cars as a means of income that puts bread on the table for me and my family.  It's a hobby to me.  I plan on taking my car to shows once it's done to be part of the crowd, not to win a prize.  The biggest prize for me will be the excitement of owning/driving my favorite car of all time and the camaraderie I'll share with my fellow motorheads.

Lastly, no matter how original the car is, I'd rather see it on the road (or trailer/garage for that matter) than in line at the crusher - no matter what the make or model.

Sean

[boydsdodge]

Here is what I am building out of an original owner 318 Challenger. Tell me I'm wrong.