Rolex and Ferrari never shut down production, closed up shop and went chasing tulli bullies in Africa.
Neither of them declared years later in a documented interview that they had no interest in, and couldn't understand anyone else's interest in "them ol' things" (the products they used to sell - and since abandoned)
Nor did they declare years later, on record, that they find the replicas popping up here and there kinda flattering since "- hell - we couldn't even give those things away towards the end..."
They didn't then witness the growth of the flattering replica industry and the resulting new, cult like popularity "them old things" began to enjoy and suddenly decide
"Hey!! That pie you found in the garbage dump was - er, ahem, IS - mine and I want a piece of it! Just because I threw it away a while back doesn't mean you can have it! On second thought, gimme back all of it!!"
If they had, I would have no problem owning a fiberglass replica tribute 1961 California Spyder or a finely handcrafted replica stainless steel
oysterperpetualdivemasterchronograph (just like Jamo's).
Since they never did, I will not indulge in or condone the piracy or counterfeiting of their products past or present.
As it is, my conscience is quite clear owning and driving my replica Cobra.
Having said all that, Ol' Shel is still the hero who (however unwittingly) orchestrated the production of what turned out to be some incredibly desirable cars. All he cared about back then was winning races. The cars to him were merely incidental components of that process.
How much of the old cars' current desirability is the result of Shelby and his magic dust aura?
How much is due to the cars themselves or the natural progression of relatively limited production muscle cars to classic collector status?
How much can be attributed to the Cobra replica industry's perpetuation of the marque or SAAC keeping the flame burning and the DNA pure?
No doubt there is a mixture and the mix varies from one model to the next.
Shelby can never be ruled out of the equation, like it or not, but he is not THE equation anymore simply because he voluntarily stepped out of the picture only to jump back in years later after the others had taken up the discarded mantle and done their thing.
A modicum of reflection, honesty and humility on both sides of the fence (arguably a bit more on one side than the other
) could probably accomplish far more towards resolving the current conflicts than any amount of litigation and counter litigation could ever hope to do.