We just got back from covering the annual London Cobra Show in London OH, and it was our first trip to the event. Like most maiden voyages, we didn’t know what to expect. This trip has a happy ending however because not only did the event coordinators surprise us, they could probably write a book on how to succeed on the car show circuit.
First things first. The Cobra show has a lot going for it and one of the most important is market saturation. Its the biggest Cobra event in the country from all the data we’ve gathered and once you’re on top, it’s hard to fall from the perch. Perhaps more important however is the Cobra itself. It’s a niche vehicle and there aren’t many around. Pop question: when was the last time you spotted a replica or original Cobra 427 SC on the road? And before that? With limited numbers, limited owners, and limited opportunities to throw a party of any substantial turnout, London’s Cobra Show doesn’t have to work as hard to corner the market as the largest Mustang or RX-7 gathering might. A quick spot check of license plates turned up owners from Virginia, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, the Carolinas, New York, Colorado, Oregon, and all stops in between. For Cobra lovers, London is the show to go to.
Sponsorship is where the Ohio Cobra Club swung for the fences and knocked it out of the park. All the bigs were there including Roush, Superformance via Dynamic Motorsports, and Factory Five Racing. A complete engine was donated for a replica Cobra waiting to be raffled off, while London city officials blocked off streets and add police oversight at no charge. Where else can you convince the locals to allow for burnouts and 1/8th mile acceleration demos? Just a year ago it was 1/4 mile and speeds were topping 108mph. The city cracked the whip and shortened the pavement. How unfair!
The $100 registration to enter a car is no deterrent whatsoever and when the streets re-open, OCC President Richard Bailey hands over more than $35,000 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, along with thousands in thank-you toys to the local police and fire departments. Vendor space and other charitable donations make up the rest of the financial windfall. Gifts of this magnitude are usually reserved for events with over 1,000 cars, but London is squeezing bucket loads from relatively benign numbers. We’re impressed.
Would I attend next year? We have a standing invitation and the hospitality was exceptional. Reps from the major sponsors, club chairs, and Cystic Fibrosis leads went out of their way to share their success story. Despite the threat of rain all morning and afternoon, the wet stuff stayed away just long enough to get our work done. Perhaps it was another meaningful, yet somewhat subliminal sign that London was indeed looking after us. It’s hard to say no to that kind of reception.
