[Durt]

Interesting observations. I think the main difference is that, unlike Shelby, Ferrari, DeLorean and Bricklin never elevated themselves to celebrity status. Along with laurels, celebrity also provides a gigantic bulls-eye.
I am personally not burning my picures of Shelby or sticking pins in his wax image. I'm just disappointed to find out that Santa Clause has whiskey breath.
As far as the badging goes - part of "Shelby's" settlement with Superformance included the cessation of accessorizing the cars with Cobra badges - so in theory, we should all be popping those badges off our cars regardless of our intent.
Thank God Mr. Smiths doesn't want his gauges back.