[RedEsprit]

OUCH....lotsastuff going on here and everyone has an agenda. Some observations would be as follows Apologies are made in advance for any mispellings as that also seems to be an issue.

1. For those that think SAAC was "elitist", you may have a much bigger problem with the new organization. Per Amy's comment, we need to pay attention to litigation Shelby has commenced regarding "issues of trade dress". Just keeping track of this litigation over the years seems like a full time job. Will my ERA be welcome at a "Shelby event" or should I park in the supermarket parking lot a mile away and take a taxi? Obviously, I need to stay in touch with Peter at ERA to see if he's been served lately.

2. Never actually been a SAAC fan. I think they could do a much better job given the interest and following in the cars. If Shelby corporate thinks they can do a better job, their probably right and more power to them. After all, it is a publicly traded company with shareholders to answer to. Whether they actually do a better job is yet to be seen. Maybe Amy is the answer. Maybe not.

3. Clearly, alienating the replica and Ford performance crowd on sites such as this is a major mistake (whether SAAC or Shelby) considering the numbers involved here. Do not try to convince me that Ol' Shel is doing this out of devotion to the owners. Profits are involved and rightfully so. No problem with Shelby making a buck but at some point in time he really needs to embrace the replicas and their builders as a form of (misdirected) flattery. After all, the body shape and its manufacture wasn't his (thank you AC), the engine and running gear wasn't his (thank you Ford), nor were the vast majority of the various other parts (thank you English cottage industry). In fact, if you remove the Cobra name badge from the nose and decklid, what do you really have that was Shelby? (And don't tell me it was the idea to stuff a V-8 in a light English body). Shelby has so much to be proud of in his racing career and accomplishments, its a shame that seems to continually reach out and take credit for more than is due (and then sue over it).

4. Without question, SAAC has been instrumental in helping to create an organized following of the cars over a very long period of time when Shelby didn't care one way or another. Times have changed and money is now an issue. Greed is good (G. GECKO). It would appear that a merger or acquisition would have been in everyone's best interest. Too bad it didn't happen. My opinion, both will suffer as a result. But in the end, Its 70 degrees outside, I think I'll take a ride in my AC replica (ERA) which doesn't dent and just looks and sounds great. Let's see what Shelby does with the new organization. If I and my car are welcome, I'll probably join provided there are functions sponsored I can actually get to.