*POLL* Brand New Factory Reproduction Cobra 2000GTL ?

[TheCBDoctor]

Hi Capndave

The GE radios are heavy duty. Real metal and a solid board. I rarely come across a GE with a cold solder connect. They had some unique features, and if you find one with an 02A chassis, your frequency range is from 26 MHz and up to 10 meter. It could do 120 channels with very little roll off. The Cobra 2000 is limited to 80 or so. The 2000 has one thing that always caught the eye, and that would be the constant readout combination frequency counter and clock. With an alarm and a settable CB ON control the GE did not stand a chance. I would put the GE super base up against the Cobra 2000 GTL. The GE will probably never see the inside of a CB shop, some time in its life cycle the 2000 GTL will.

I love the Cobra 2000 GTL that is why I restore them, but the GE Super Base is maintenance free for the most part.

Respectfully,

[Foxhunter]

Hi Foxhunter

I appreciate that you visit my Website. As you can see it is 90% education and 10% repair. I try and add to the site daily, but there must be 3000 radios to add to the Data base. I appreciate you devotion to older radios, especially the Cobra 2000 GTL, but they will never reintroduce it. They tried with the Cobra 148 GTL and it was a failure.

The day of the Base unit is gone. Even at work we use commercial mobile units with DC power supplies because they are 1/3 the price, and easy to swap out and repair. That is why I specialize in the Cobra 2000 GTL and other 8719 chassis'. I can't save them all, so I fix what many consider the Cadillac of the CB world, back in the day it was. The export market has killed Legal CB and the base stations. When the old timers pass on, their equipment will end up in a technicians hands, and hopefully find a new home. No one will buy new if they can have a piece of history at a fair price.

I do suggest that a home brew kit should be developed to allow operators to build their own radios, such as, Heathkit use to do for 10 meters. If I had 48 hours in a day I would pursue that enterprise. I bet there is money to be made in that market. Cobra supplies the parts and you build it. It would save Cobra the expense of building them, and they would be made in America by Americans, the CB and Ham operator.

Send pictures. I can always use close up shots of unusual radios and set ups. My email is on my site.

It is a small world,

Respectfully,

Boy I missed any other replies to the thread here until just going over and reading some of the old posts. No, thank you----the visit to your website----the pleasure was all mine. I would encourage any of you guys who love these old Cobra 1000GTL and Cobra 2000GTL radios to head on over to The CB Doctor website and check it all out. Watch the video too. A fine site and any of you Ebay-ers searching the Cobra 2000GTL listings should also view his own repairs listing.


I do like some of the radio classics of "old school yesterday" and I liken them to some of the cars from the peak muscle car era. They may not be fully loaded with modern conveniences like the cars of today, but they do "breathe fire" and are fun to drive! Looks to kill. With some of these famous radios, it feels like the same deal.


Yes the Cobra 148GTL did not do so well, so I hear. It was though a chance for more people to own them new, rather than taking a chance with so many of the modified models on the used market. I never had a Cobra 148GTL in the famous early versions, and many swear they were the best. I do own a Cobra 148GTL NW ST though, and it seems "alright". Since I don't have an early model, I don't have anything to compare it to.


Companies that eventually come out with "anniversary models" and authorized reproductions seem to always do well with collectors. They charge a premium and fans buy them. Limited editions in limited quantities. I understand it might not happen with Cobra now, but maybe someday.


When I do finally get a decent camera with better resolution (my original camera is shot) I will send and post some decent pictures of some of my collection. CB Tricks will also be looking for some photos as I have many that are not in the image databases as well as a few manuals and other reference materials. I've recently added a new unlisted version to the SBE Console II listing there and an explanation of the two versions of the model.


You seem like a great guy Rick and am glad to see your contribution to the CBRT Forum, the hobby in general and to the vintage radio preservation industry. Definitely keep up the good work. Thank you for your clear and informed information in your posts. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's noticed.

Best Regards & 73's
Foxhunter 351 NJ

[shakuna]

i was thinking about the dx 2547 base being remodified or redone with more features, not to talk off subject here from the gtl 2000's. like maybe adding a digital clock and dual meters with built in amp, maybe like 20 to 30w. plus a dual monitor channel or scan function of sometype. it almost favors a small ham radio, without the ham channels though and i think it could be done as well with this base. but i,m still hoping they bring back the gtl's for a limited time with all the extra's.

my opnion though. take care all and blessings.

[127]

Anyone who knows how good the original Cobra 2000 was would have to want a Genuine reproduction. The Cobra 2000 and pre 1998 Cobra 148 GTL were the best CB radios ever made and that includes exports.

[Foxhunter]

Anyone who knows how good the original Cobra 2000 was would have to want a Genuine reproduction. The Cobra 2000 and pre 1998 Cobra 148 GTL were the best CB radios ever made and that includes exports.

I'd tend to agree and so would MANY others. I can't say for sure whether I'd want an EXACT authentic reproduction or a very slightly improved version, remaining very close to the original.


I will remark that a local guy who's otherwise a very reputable tech swears that the Cobra 2000GTL's audio section is no where near as good as that on the popular Cobra 29LTD. That might be true I'm unsure and I don't remember the particulars now. I'd been on the radio 'til 4AM that night talking about so much and it was a few months ago.






Some would probably LOVE a separate sister-version wild 5-band 2000GTL-DX Export Model while remaining very similar in looks to the original, a brightly lit highly hot-rodded version.

Here is a link to a neat-looking all-black and silver Cobra 2000GTL with cool "Product of Dynascn" labels on the radio and speakers too. I couldn't link the image nor could I download /resize it/upload attachment---the image must be copyrighted. Oop---nevermind I did manage to do it.



Now I could picture a (possibly high-power) Cobra 2000GTL-DX AM/SSB Export CB Base Radio version very similar looking to this one below, but with newer LED sections and various backlit illuminated contol section coloring. As said 5-bands from the factory as an export-only special edition. Modern high-quality instrument meters and 6-digit frequency counter and all the other most popular bells & whistles. It would still be hard to believe that some other model of the 2000GTL wouldn't be popular.

Cobra 2000GTL-DX AM/SSB Export Prototype CB Base Radio
(I know these are made with faceplate kits and blue LED's but still would love to see an original and an export version from Cobra)
[ external image ]
[ external image ]

[Overnight]

I everyone, for my first post I give you this. Found it on flea bay
A Cobra 2000 GTL 40 Channel SSB CB Base Radio Brand New.

[Please login or register to view this link]
I just hope nobody here is bidding on it.

2000GLT.jpg

[Bajajoe]

Although many would welcome an anniversary addition of the Cobra 2000 GTL or even a Ford Cobra 427, for the manufacturers it is simply a business decision. In addition to the many thoughtful comments, it gets down to numbers. Cobra has a finite R&D budget for new products which is driven by profit from their current product lines. They can choose to invest in an anniversary edition base station (which may or may not) drive sales or brand appeal or continue to push forward with higher volume and profitable communication devices.

Only to illustrate some numbers... let's say there are 20K serious CB users in the US. Of these, let's assume that 10% would be interested in a special Cobra 2000 GTL reproduction. Of these, maybe 10% would actually pay [~ $399] for one and only half of these people would actually see the value and pull the trigger. That leaves 100 buyers. If Cobra made $60 on the sale (typical for retail products of this price range) they would make a grand total of $6K in margin dollars. You can argue the numbers up and down but it would take many thousands of units to justify the engineering, retooling, logistics and support costs.

Sometimes numbers suck.

[Foxhunter]

Overnight welcome to the CBRT Forum, it's great to have you. Boy I see that New Cobra 2000GTL is up to about $800 right now. Not too bad huh ?

Bajajoe I know and see your point, most if not all of it true. My most effective three arguments with the Cobra representative, were these.

The Cobra 2000GTL was a Cobra "flagship" model, which has still very high branding and reputation recognition, which has immense value in advertising and marketing. It is representative of what a company can produce. (The Ford GT40 itself didn't make any money for Ford, but the trickle-down effect certainly did. Nor the diamond-studded Nike sneakers etc, but has a direct bearing on sales of lesser models).

The Cobra 2010GTL (not the 2000 but the 2010) didn't go over very big, as a plasticy undersized radio base model. Too much like something from present day Radio Shack. Why not reproduce something already proven to be so much better ? (Sort of like when the "New Coke" came out. It didn't compare to the old Coca-Cola at all, and sales dropped. But as a result, the old Coke Classic was re-introduced, and sales again climbed to higher levels than what they originally were. Sometimes, when somethings gone, you want it more. And when something's back, you're glad even more to have it again.)

Cobra electronics already has ALL original documentation, design drawings, engineering, plans----the entire design infrastructure on making the Cobra 2000GTL. Who could ask for anything more ? None of the R&D that needs to be done to build a new radio from scratch, it's all been done and is all already there. Ready to be given to an actual manufacturer and subcontractors for production. Just have to put up bids.


Those reasons got the representative to bring the email up at his next meeting that week, or so he said. Still worth considering.



Foxhunter 351 NJ

[Bajajoe]

Foxhunter - I applaud you for taking the initiative. Just getting a candid response from a corporate marketing department can be considered a win! Bajajoe