[JBo]

A bit off track, but not much:
Police seize refurbished Shelby Mustangs

Kathy Jackson
Automotive News
November 12, 2007 - 12:01 am ET



Police in a Dallas suburb have seized 61 cars from Unique Performance Inc., a company that refurbishes and sells 1960s Shelby Mustangs.

Each of the 58 Mustangs and three Chevrolet Camaros that were confiscated last week had fictitious or altered vehicle identification numbers, said Chad Taylor, spokesman for the Farmers Branch, Texas, police department.

Taylor said the numbers apparently were changed because the frames used on the refurbished vehicles had salvage titles.

"The investigation was based on a complaint from a customer who had his car in for repair," Taylor said.

Unique CEO Douglas Hasty did not return calls or reply to an e-mail from Automotive News.

The investigation began in October, shortly before Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. said it was canceling a licensing agreement with Unique. Shelby says Unique has taken at least $7 million in deposits from customers but has not delivered the cars. The cars range in price from just under $100,000 to more than $200,000.

At least 10 customers have sued Unique Performance. Shelby Automobiles, headed by the 84-year-old sports car hero, also has been named as a defendant in lawsuits. The suits allege that cars either have not been delivered or that consumers have received defective cars. Unique also manufactures vehicles designed by car customizer Chip Foose, including a reproduction 1969 Camaro.