Article on Cobra Ned in Shelby American

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

And may I add, it's not necessary for anyone here to start emailing suggestions to folks like Peter or Ryan Klutte that the old man is stepping down and new blood needs to be found, etc. I suspect the new guy will find us rather than vice-versa. A thoughtful idea ( you know who you are) but please don't do it.

My bad Ned and sincerely apologize. Just got caught up in the matter I guess.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by LMH

Only someone from southern CA or a surfer would get that joke!
Larry

Nope, have them (Ron Jon Surf Shop) on the east coast as well

[Bernica]

Maybe just ban me a few days for penance?
I take full responsibility for bringing this all up.
I Just have the high respect for what you have done and continue to do for us all.

[Nedsel]

No need for apologies; it's just that I heard from Peter within 5 minutes of your email. I guess I'm on his speed dial after all these years. Multiply that by xyz and you'll see my dilemma.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Nope, have them (Ron Jon Surf Shop) on the east coast as well

Now if the east coast had surf, they'd be set!

Actually, I know the shop was started on the east coast but I had to tease Ned a little!
Larry

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Nope, have them (Ron Jon Surf Shop) on the east coast as well

The only place to buy "Mr. Zog's Sex Wax (best for your stick!)"

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

How about Jamo or Computerworks (Ron or Ron)?

...and for my part, why don't you bite my ass.

[Winchester67]

Again, goes to my point. Ned has had other income. To my mind, one needs to be thinking about the succession plan now, while he is still in good shape and able to pass what amounts to a lifetime of knowledge on to the next keeper of the flame. Establishing a Foundation to at least offer a stipend to the next person to offset some of the time they spend on this work that could have otherwise been spent making money...even if it is not enough to create a salaried position, it would help. I have been a car guy all my life...I have spent a lot of time on it. My wife would say I have spent a LOT of time on it. And I am quite sure I have not put anywhere near the time in that Ned has. This is a Hurculean task...I might be wrong, there might be a bevy of suitably wealthy enthusiasts waiting in the wings. But ten years from now is not the time to find out if that is right or not.

[mrmustang]

You really are missing the point, it's not about a salary, it is about the passion. All of the SAAC registrars show a passion for their particular nitch. Be it running things in the background (Computerworks), or being the CSX2000/CSX3000 series Registrar (Ned), it is that passion for the history and the preservation and tracking of said history that is the driving force.

Now with that said, 99.5% of the history of these cars is already documented, most likely now in an electronic database form, which makes it far easier to keep abreast of change of ownership, vintage race history, accidents, etc. As apposed to when Ned most likely had a 3X5 or 4X6 card file with hand written notes on anything and everything he could find on an original CSX2000/CSX3000 series car. With the internet, I'm betting tracking is made even easier, even though the cars are being bought and sold at a higher volume now than in the past.

So again, if you are looking for a paycheck, or a handout, then clearly you are not the one for the job. If you have a true passion for the cars, and perhaps the thought of just doing it for that true love appeals to you, then you might, might be the man/women for the job.

Finally, I'm sure it's already been or is being discussed within the SAAC registrar hierarchy/management (Rick or Ron can confirm this I'm sure) chain, as none of us are getting any younger, and the registrars have had their own health issues, or health issues of friends and family crop up every now and then that makes everyone question their mortality.


I'll leave it at that for now.

Bill S.

Originally Posted by Winchester67

Again, goes to my point. Ned has had other income. To my mind, one needs to be thinking about the succession plan now, while he is still in good shape and able to pass what amounts to a lifetime of knowledge on to the next keeper of the flame. Establishing a Foundation to at least offer a stipend to the next person to offset some of the time they spend on this work that could have otherwise been spent making money...even if it is not enough to create a salaried position, it would help. I have been a car guy all my life...I have spent a lot of time on it. My wife would say I have spent a LOT of time on it. And I am quite sure I have not put anywhere near the time in that Ned has. This is a Hurculean task...I might be wrong, there might be a bevy of suitably wealthy enthusiasts waiting in the wings. But ten years from now is not the time to find out if that is right or not.

[cobrajeff]

Plus ONE on what Bill said...it's not about the money...it's about the passion. Highly unlikely that we will find any replacements anywhere outside of SAAC....if they're not already involved with the cars....they probably just aren't passionate enough to carry the torch.

Being a SAAC Registrar is not a paying job...this is a hobby endeavor, and it entails a pretty serious amount of time and effort to keep up with. A little simpler using an electronic database where one can store words and pictures, versus the old days of cutting ads out of Competition Press and taping them to 3x5 cards, but, still very time intensive endeavor.

Jeff
SAAC New Ford GT Registrar (also looking for a replacement/successor to my 68 year old bones)

[LMH]

My thoughts are that a replacement for Ned be a long term original owner. A personal understanding of how the cars went together is important. My $.02 anyway.
Larry

[Joe's Garage]

If the Registry gets back to covering the "originals" as has been suggested a possibility, then I don't see why "records maintenance" is not delegated to the owners of these cars through on-line access with read & write privileges. They know the value of an accurate history, are certainly passionate enthusiasts, and there would be plenty of checks & balances through the SAAC forum to keep it legit. As for the non-originals, time for the red headed stepchildren to go out and make it on their own

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

If the Registry gets back to covering the "originals" as has been suggested a possibility, then I don't see why "records maintenance" is not delegated to the owners of these cars through on-line access with read & write privileges. They know the value of an accurate history, are certainly passionate enthusiasts, and there would be plenty of checks & balances through the SAAC forum to keep it legit. As for the non-originals, time for the red headed stepchildren to go out and make it on their own

The unfortunate thing with that, Joe, is unfortunately some folks also "know" the value of inaccurate historical information as well, so as the recognised go-to authority on these cars the SAAC Registry has to make sure all info to the greatest extent possible is vetted.

[JBCOBRA]

I nominate Bill S
<<action>> Running !

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

With the internet, I'm betting tracking is made even easier, even though the cars are being bought and sold at a higher volume now than in the past.

Bill S.

FWIW, I'm not sure that there is a higher volume of Cobras being sold today.
Publicly known sales in the last 20 years range from a high of about 40 plus cars per year in the late 1990's down to the low 20's in last few years. 2009 did reach into the high 30's, I assume due to the economic downturn in 2008.

[Winchester67]

I get the passion side of it...I really do. Look, I don't really have a dog in this hunt. I have a Backdraft Cobra, love the real ones but will never be in a position to afford one. But that does not mean I don't enjoy the history of them and like to read about it...and want to make sure it is preserved. I am not advocating a paid position for any other reason than I think Ned's shoes will be tough to fill otherwise. And commercial interests tend to creep in if they can, when they can. Right now with Ned they can't. I am just thinking ten years from now. My two cents...not pretending I have all the right answers, just throwing out a possible solution.

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by Buzz

The unfortunate thing with that, Joe, is unfortunately some folks also "know" the value of inaccurate historical information as well, so as the recognised go-to authority on these cars the SAAC Registry has to make sure all info to the greatest extent possible is vetted.

I was hoping that was not the case but certainly understand it. Maybe refine the process a little. Make Ned's work with the history fixed which has been vetted and accepted. What remains is upkeep on new owners and crashes going forward. So owner's would have read/write access to update from Ned's retirement date, they can't go back and tamper with Ned's earlier work. I'm trying to think of what an unscrupulous owner could come up with in the way of "current history" that would make his original worth more, nothing comes to mind. I already think you have built-in policing with the SAAC membership. You saw what happened here on just "semantics", and that was from the peanut gallery sitting in the cheap seats

[Winchester67]

Joe, let me buy you a drink sometime! You hit upon exactly what I am worried about!

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by Jamo

There needs to be a committee formed to look into this. But first, we need a committee to appoint the members of the committee. Obviously, we'll need an oversight committee to review the committee's actions.

I nominate Evan. We all know he knows everything and would be impartial!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Jamo]

Well, there ya go Ned...a nice thread bringing to light all of your dedication and hard work, a well deserved round of congratulations...and now detailed discussions on how to replace your ass.

...and no gold watch. Hell, not even a cheapassed plastic Shelby watch from the Vegas store.