How important is SVT certificate, and owners, do u have one?

[Fox9350]

Hello guys,

I have a longtime goal of someday owning a 93 cobra. I used to own a 93 GT that was so much fun and such a nice looking car. I regret to this day selling it. So I am on a 10 year plan (within 10 hopefully) of acquiring a cobra....Who knows how much rarer and more expensive they'll be by then.....but anyway I was reading an undated article on collectible mustangs about the 93 cobra and the author said something near the end to the effect of: "only consider buying one with a SVT certificate, paperwork is crucial."

I was wondering what your thoughts are on the certificate, how important is it, do you have one or did you get one when you bought your cobra second or third hand?

Also, it appears Ford will readily sell you one with the VIN printed on it, doesn't look like there is any real certification going on, just them saying "XYZ" VIN is indeed a 93 cobra....If you lose a certificate or buy a car without one, can't you just order this?

http://www.fordshowparts.com/store_cont ... ct_id=6913

Thoughts?

[Z282SLO]

IMO this certificate is only real important for low-mile, 100% factory original cars, wrappers, etc. and that advice from the article was likely referring to these types of cars. Cars like this are always worth more with all the original documentation. For the '93 Cobra, this means the original SVT certificate that had Ford Motor Company on top and the signatures of Plant and Coletti on them.

For all others, SVT certs are great to have, but are not enhancing the value of the cars very much. The prior owner of my Cobra had the cert framed, and I display it with my Cobra at car shows. It makes a nice conversation piece as not many cars have them. However, that was just a nice bonus. I would absolutely have bought the car without it.

And you're right about being able to purchase one from Ford. However, the new ones are signed by Edsel Ford and the design is not the same as the original certs.

[vinchez78]

The previous owner of mine didn't have any documents, but I'll eventually get them

[Fox9350]

vinchez if you click that link you can order that certificate from Ford for $40.

That sounds reasonable, if its a "wrapper" car or a super low mile or R edition I agree original paperwork would probably be a must or would impact value. But for someone like myself who may or may not be lucky enough to find the right one later on down the line, I'd be happy to get any Cobra, no matter the mileage as long as the condition was good. So if they had a certificate great, but if not, not a deal breaker. I'd be priced out of the highest value examples.

[POOBLAH]

The owners manual is fairly important.

[oldernu]

Just my noobie feeling about modern paper!! Useless and way over priced.. The cert is $40 and shipping is $10 so if a 2014 piece of paper gives you a warm fuzzie then go for it.. Think Ill spend my $50 for a new blaster coil.. Vin is all I care about Oldernu

[Fox9350]

Not that you guys care about my story, but now I'm hoping my time is more like 5 years from now when current car is paid off. I know no one has a crystal ball, but best guess......Help ease my anxiety that in 5-6 years this board will still be going, there will still be clean examples (close to stock or with tasteful mods) that exist for sale for under 20k.....mileage can be high as long as the car looks like its in good shape and hasn't been beaten on and I'll be willing to travel coast to coast....(though eastern half of country would be preferable, I live in NE).....I just worry every day that these cars are getting less and less available and I'm impatient......ease a brother's mind!

[1993cobra]

Won't matter cause gasoline powered cars will be banned in 5 or 6 years...

[Z282SLO]

I just worry every day that these cars are getting less and less available and I'm impatient......ease a brother's mind!

Don't lose sleep on this one, Fox. Check out Mecum, Barrett-Jackson, etc., etc. websites. There are plenty of examples of nice 25-30 year old cars out there for reasonable prices. In another 5-6 years, there'll still be nice examples of 93 Cobras available that won't cost you a fortune.

On the other hand, why wait? Sell your current ride and get yourself an awesome '93 Cobra TODAY!!

[Fox9350]

I just worry every day that these cars are getting less and less available and I'm impatient......ease a brother's mind!

Don't lose sleep on this one, Fox. Check out Mecum, Barrett-Jackson, etc., etc. websites. There are plenty of examples of nice 25-30 year old cars out there for reasonable prices. In another 5-6 years, there'll still be nice examples of 93 Cobras available that won't cost you a fortune.

On the other hand, why wait? Sell your current ride and get yourself an awesome '93 Cobra TODAY!!

Wife and infant.....

[Z282SLO]

Wife and infant.....

You can fit a car seat in the back of a Cobra!

[vinchez78]

Vin is all I care about Oldernu

Aww shucks, thank you, happy valentine's day

[1993cobra]

lol

[Rick L]

I agree with just about everything said here but I'll put my 02 cents in. It's mostly what's important to you. I know people out there that only trailer/show their cars. They have every single piece of documentation they can get their hands on. They love they still have the original tires (they'll tell you they even have the original air in them). They arrive at a show, push the car into its spot and sit there. After the show they push it back on the trailer and go home. Now that's fine if you enjoy it. The wife and I like to enjoy our cars so we'll take one out anytime weather permits. Paperwork wasn't that important to me at all when I bought our cars. We have #2133 and the cert is signed by Scarpello/Coletti and #3146 signed by Scarpello/Hyde. I don't think they are the originals but a copy. We just keep them in the filing cabinet with the Titles. Driving them around, doing an occasional show, taking the grand kids for a ride. Now that's fun, for us. You want some papers to show and brag about or do you want to sit at a red light with that rumble sound going on and somebody looks over and smiles and gives you that thumbs up! Just my 02 cents. By the way we're selling both our Vibrant Reds if anyone is interested. We have to thin the herd out a little. PM if interested.

[dbrennancobra]

Wife and infant.....

You can fit a car seat in the back of a Cobra!

Yes, I put two in the back seats last summer (only once) as it is super tight!

And I think papers help the value of resale, for someone that wants to be a collector car. For me getting a cobra from origional owner and fully documented was a need.