"Carroll Shelby Speaks Out" Article

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Real 1;

While I do not agree with everything you have said,I agree the litigation is over and we should all move on and for the most part we have,but everytime CS gives an interview,it always comes back to the replica issue,it is like on old sore that he keeps picking at and making it bleed just about the time you think it has healed up.....

Remember,this thread started after the article came out in Fast Fords. If he has the right to say what he did in the article in a nationally distributed magazine,then everyone here has the right to "bash" him for starting the pissing match all over again.......Remember,he started it by his interview,not us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David

[Turk]

My turn.

Evan, if I went to court I would want you as my lawyer for your tenacity. Especially if I wanted to be held in contempt. (joke)!

As a new CSX owner, recently I have had an opportunity to have a little more access to the folks in Las Vegas at SAI. I had the audience of many who work there who wouldn't listen to me in the past, but now do, because I am one of their customers.

I think it can be said without any doubt, had SAI taken a different course they could have been more successful than they are now.

They have more going for them than their competitors, to be on top.

1-They can build one as economically as anyone else.
2-Wages in Las Vegas are not higher but actually lower than they are in CT.
3-Glass and resin does cost the same there, as it does in South Africa.
4-They have prison labor available to them for some of their operations that competitors don't.
5-They have Carroll Shelby who can sign every MSO, every car which gives it far more authenticity than Bob Putnam signing the dashes.
6-They have access to media, others can dream about.
7-They have access to race track that is only stone's throw away from them.
8-They have resident historians,SAAC, drivers, trucks to display, trailers to tow etc. etc.
9-They honestlly have craftsman there who can build anything they want.
10-They have their own engines, heads, and other performance parts.

The mystique of Carroll Shelby and his endorsements can not be easily defeated by others.

If I was given the opportunity to run that operation for a period of 3 years, I promise I could put every replica builder out of business. I would do that not in a court room but in the market place.

The only survivors would be those riding my coat tail because I just couldn't fill all the orders and the back log was too long for some to wait.

They could be price competetive, quality minded with the best of them.
I would do away with the dealers,and make everything factory direct. It works for ERA, FFR etc.

We all know how most of us feel about the litigation. If it wasn't for the ill will created by some wreckless bunch, the desire to own a Shelby Cobra (replica/real don't matter) would be higher than to own a Everett morrison or anything else, ESPECIALLY if the SHELBY was less expensive.

They can build one and sell for less. They chose not to.

The market place is more receptive to fiberglass cars. Aluminum cars are such a small percentage of the total market, I would leave that to Kirkhams and others. 90% or more revolve around glass cars.

They missed their opportunity to be the big bully. They could do it. They still can. Not the way they are going about it though.
You can't speak loud enough for them to do be more successfull. They should be able to do it by themselves.
Better car, cheaper, and authentic too.

Not the people I met, but some in that organization have elected to take the low road.
"If we can put everyone out of business, we could sell more cars!". WRONG.!!

If there were fewer Cobras, fewer Cobras would be sold. It is the constant exposure of such a car what makes it high demand.Not the scarcity of it.

I am as proud to own a CSX car, therefore a piece of fringe history, but history nevertheless.

Carroll will not be around forever. I hope who ever takes the reigns, and decides to take that car into next era (pun intended) has a better feel for what we are about and cater to us rather than to piss us off. That would work a lot better.
Bob Marsh was one such person. he managed to do what others couldn't, wouldn't, diddn't! he sold me a car. There are others like me out there. Unfortunately he does NOT run the entire operation. Carroll does.

Carroll, if you are reading this, consider it a resume and an application for employment.

Another thing, please sign my GASHOLE hat I left there. REALlly!

TURK

[PSB]

...or instead of other companies just giving Shelby money ($1000 per kit), Shelby could have marketed a reasonably priced, competitive kit and easily driven the competition out of the market. I think most people would buy a Shelby over another company's if they were in the same price range. But no, Shelby figures his name is worth an extra $20 grand. It may be to some, but the market in general won't bear that kinda markup just for a name. Thus, Shelby is losing money (pure speculation on my part - but I bet he is) and has to resort to suing everybody.

EDIT - Turk beat me to it , and probably said it better anyway.

Pete

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Turk;

Very informative and accurate reply,at least in MHO....Let me run SAI and in five years I'd retire to Hawaii!!!!!!!!!

I think 95% of te people buying a Cobra would prefer to buy one built by Shelby over any other make if the prices were similar,I know I would....I just do not think that a car from SAI if worth the extra money when considering the other cars avaliable today...........

David

[REAL 1]

I think the Shelby is worth the extra premium. Why. Because it is to me. Because its a Cobra, not merely a replica of one. Its reconginized as a Cobra by SAAC. Its registered in the SAAC regisitry and because its a product of SAI and most importantly when I'm drive'n it I'm driven a REAL Cobra and can say honestly "Yes it is a REAL Cobra not a replica of one". To me that has substantial value. Why drive a replica when the brass ring is to drive and own a REAL one?

Why is an Acura worth more than the same Honda? Why is a Lexus worth more than the same Toyota? Why does a comprable Mercedes cost more than a Lexus or Infiniti? Why does a Harley Davidson cost more than a comparable Yamaha Road Star? Because there is a value to a particular brand or name quality aside. I'll buy the Rolex every time over the Timex that looks like a Rolex.

Why do genuine articles of anything cost more than replicas? Perceived value in the genuine article and name is the reason.

How much more you would pay for a Shelby over a ERA or EM or FFR is a subjective call. Each must make his own call.

For those who would want a Shelby Cobra for the same price as an ERA, EM, SPF etc..,...well you want something for nothing. Good luck.

[JimsGems]

And the S*it goes on-and-on. Great Job TURK, well stated.

I'll try to answer the import thing from my P.O.V. Importing is a costly and problem filled at best and the automobile parts thing is a mess. The "rollers" are shipped in as "Automotive PARTS", it is really edging the laws, thats for sure but because the "PARTS" are not registerable as they are, and not a "automobile" as is.

I'm still working on how they legally sell a turnkey, but thats another issue.

I just want to say again, I honor Shelby for what he did a long time ago... but currently his actions are not in his best interest, or ours. We do have guys on this site that are wonders of nature, Shelby eats his chilly and these guys fart. I'm constantly amazed. Merry Christmas to you all and especially to our service men & women who are serving now and across time.

[southernfriedcj]

I agree with Turk, I'll take the fast moving dime over the slow moving dollar every time. It would be easy for SAI to corner the market, all the while making HUGE $$ and many friends.
I also agree the tha Selby name is worth a premium. Not 20k, but enough of a premium to choose a Shelby that is competively priced. As a homebuilder I would market the cars cars at several price points, just like I do houses. I would put FFR out of business with my CSX5000 series kit, Superformance out of business with my CSX6000 series roller, and Kirkham out of business with my CSX 4000 series aluminum Cobra. I'd sell GT40's, trailers, engines, trannies, and all Cobra related junk(posters, clocks, ect).
I'd have regional stores(company owned) and they would have the full line in stock, no waiting(don't want to loose those impulse buyers).
There's my $.02, FWIW

If any body needs a business plan I'm for hire.

Turk, how much $$ would it take to buy SAI?

[southernfriedcj]

Originally posted by JimsGems


We do have guys on this site that are wonders of nature, Shelby eats his chilly and these guys fart. I'm constantly amazed

Jim, that's the funniest FN thing I've read in a while. Thanks!

[Turk]

With or without Series 1?

TURK

[Jamo]

Nothing new here...

Mr. Shelby did not create the cars or get to where he is today by being conventional.

Turk's mini-treatise on management analysis is on the money--if someone wanted to approach it on a conventional basis. And it would probably work.

But being unconventional can be conventional when one reviews the histories of the most revered industrialists--especially in the automotive world--Ferrari, Bugatti, Porsche, etc. The personality of the person can create the personality of the company/car. The aura of Mr. Shelby that we love to hate (or hate to love) is part of every Cobra we buy--he flipped everyone off in the 60s and continues to do it to this day--just like our Cobras do to all of the mass produced vehicles on the road when we drive them. Owners of pretenders try to conjure up Duntovs and even Shelby himself to create the passion that is built into our cars. Shelby even tried to recreate that "soul" with the Series 1--a great car, but rather mundane in its execution compared to what else is out there.

As Jim notes, when Mr. Shelby eats chili, others fart--and everyone else smells it. Yes--he speaks out in ways that causes others to cringe or get their backs up--but he also continues to keep the Cobra in the mind's eye. Like it or not--he has helped every other mfg. because of this. FFR came off looking pretty damn good fighting him off, so did SPF. Kirkham must be doing something right if the old fart relies on them. ERA is able to point to how close a reproduction theirs is to the Old Man's. And people read about Cobras in trade magazines and even the newspapers because he's out there starting ****. And we have long threads to discuss his latest antics.

Give the devil his due--he's keeping it hot.

[Turk]

I hate it when you say what I wanted to say better than I said it.

TURK

[Jamo]

Feel free to use "assolutely" whenever you feel the the need.

[SFfiredog]

Shelby was or still is a genius at finding the right personell to do the job required. Therfore, If ole Shel is smart he will hire Turk as his sucessor. That way, I'd always have a place to stay while I was in Vegas. Plus, I have always wanted to own a "Gashole 4000 series"
The thing in the article that really chaffed my ever expanding hide
is, in one breath he essentially says that the SAI Cobras are vastly superior to all other replica Cobras that are built out of recycled junkyard parts but if these replica companies would just donate a grand to my heart fund, I would gladly endorse them.
One hand; "These cars are not safe" Other hand; "Give me money, and they're OK buy me!"
Maybe Shel should run for political office; I'd think he'd fit right in!

BTW I signed my own dashboard.
--Mike

[decooney]

It would be nice to see the ol' Shel man focus his time and energy on new ideas rather than re-hashing 40yr old ones. So far, his "speaking out" really has not done much for him or anyone else. When he was at the Ford Towe Museum last year, he spoke to the crowd with a huge chip on his shoulder - on every topic. Actually, it was sort of sad to see him mumble and grumble.

Hopefully someone close to him can tell him to get over it and "move on" - so we can remember the history and the cars he inspired in a more positive light, like it should be.

[BT SNAKE]

I have met and spoken to Mr. Shelby twice. Both times he was polite and listened when you spoke. He loves to talk about his cobras and the good ole days. Mr. Shelby has always had a keen sense of business. He has always had an ace in the hole. I don't profess to know about anything happening but if the past is any
guide then we can soon expect to see that ace. All he has done up to this point has been for a reason I believe.
My personal take on this is that possibly Ford wanted to be invovled in order to retain the name Cobra. and I don't think it will be long before we see a Ford Cobra, with all the modern additions. Then I believe that an option will be offered that allows the Ford Cobra to be massaged by SAI. Kinda like the good ole days huh? It will be different enough so as to not effect the "real Cobras" that SAI now produces. Also Ford has no worry now of the ownership of the shape.
Remember two seat roadsters are really hot right now and I think Ford wants a piece of that market. What a better way than to bring back a legend. The new T-Bird just doesn't cut it...

Hersh

PS. Ford brought back a GT so I don't think it's too far fetched to think they wouldn't do the Cobra.

[Mark IV]

....actually it was my wife who started CS on his pi$$ed off mode. Many years ago when Carroll was in the middle of a spat with Brain Angliss (understand that they were on again/off again "Buddies) she went up to him at the SAAC convention and had him autograph something...it was an AC Mk IV warranty card! He suddenly left the autograph line and that night at the banquet (which we did not attend) he went off into a tirade about replicas and the scum who build/buy/own them.

She still smirks when this comes up.

One day when I have time I will post some of the Shelby/Angliss stories that I was privy to. Like the time Brain called me at home to let me know he was sitting at Shelby's pool.....and running up Carroll's phone bill.

Merry Christmas to all and to Turk a good night....after all he HAS a new car!

Rick

[Jeff Frigo]

Hersh:

Ford doesn't have enough money to wipe its a$$ with right now. I doubt if we will see anything anytime soon, especially with the GT they are doing right now.

[BT SNAKE]

Ahh yes....You could be right Jeff. Ford is in the red and they sure don't seem to be looking much better in the future if they don't try something.
I thought they would never get off of Blue Oval News' a$$.
They must have spent a fotune in lawyer fees sueing that webb site's owner. Which by the way, I miss all those inside info reports that they use to give us. They really pi$$ed Ford off with that cause they could never find their source.

Hersh

[Jeff Frigo]

I sure hope they don't. I like the exclusivity of the Cobra (although not as exclusive as the GT-40).

Hersh, how do feel about the new GT?

[BT SNAKE]

I like it. I would buy one if the price was more in tune with the Viper. I think it would be a neat car to have , especially with all of the creature comforts. Most people want to compare the new one with the old but thats really not possible. It stands on it's own but with enough flavor of the old one to make it unique. It's a retro design with all the modern requirements. As long as the performance was reasonalbe, I would be happy. I think somebody will wind up buying some of these and racing them proffessionally. Who knows, maybe Rousche will with Fords sponsorship and blessing.

Hersh