Interesting Ford/Shelby opinion

[RPRICE]

Read this guy's weekly columns if you want a laugh. But he hits close to home on this one.

http://www.autoextremist.com/page2.shtml#Rant

[Excaliber]

He explains his position well, I can't say I disagree with him totally. He MAY be wrong about the power of the Shelby name as a marketing "tool" how ever. Time will tell.

......I was sharpening my long knife, but was compelled to put it away in the end.

Ernie

[Bill Kesner]

I guess everyone has their version of what's transpiring with Shelby over the last 10-years. The way I look at it is.......put yourself into the situation. You have a well-known name associated with auto racing, you put together some legendary race cars, an FIA championship, assist a Le Mans victory, and then fade away for several years in Africa. When you return, you still have the desire for cars.......so where do you start?

Going after the replica builders was a bad decision, though think back as to what transpired. He was 1st flattered by company's such as Arntz and Butler building his look-alike cars again. What developed into a small amount of Cobra's, took off to over 100 Cobra builders in time. This would change your perception of flattery to companies taking advantage of something you put together. You don't see many Ferrari replicas's out there and why....because Enzo sued anyone trying to re-create his cars. On the flip side, I have met so many new friends thanks to the replica builders out there....so there must be a compromise at some point. Just think of the numbers out there that wanted to drive and race some version of these nostalgic classic cars. At some point, Carroll will realize that the lawsuits are too late, and must simply compete among them all for business. This is the price he pays for closing up shop for over 20-years.

Right or wrong, if I was in his shoes, I would have done whatever it took to continue my name with cars and racing. Granted there have been many poor decisions along the way, but there is now a reason I believe that Ford wants Shelby back in the picture, and it's simple. Ford wants to capture the baby-boomer market, and what better way to do it with Shelby's well-known name and insight. I along with you all will just have to wait and see what transpires. Good or Bad, you can bet that Ford will always have a better idea at somepoint!

- Bill -

[valpodoc]

Worth a read as well as some of the other articles at the site....say where did you guys get the long knives mine is kinda short


Roland

[Fast Farmer]

Bill, your post was very well stated.

I don't agree with all of Carroll Shelbys decisions and methods to achieve his goals, post Cobra/Shelby Mustang glory years, but I still think the good things he has accomplished outweigh the negatives. Gripe all you want about endorsements, but I don't see anyone raggin' on Michael Jordan for selling underwear or Tiger Woods promoting Buicks. Successful celebrity endorsers make more being corporate shills than in their original profession. Lots of actors/actresses get by doing commercials. Some even bypass U.S. products and do commercials in foreign countries to preserve their image here.

The amazing thing about being a critic is that the more viciously they put something down, (movie, play, book, sports performance, and coaching to name a few) the more attention the critic gets. This recognition often comes in spite of no attempt at producing or doing anything themselves to contribute to society and put themselves at risk of criticism. In other words, it's easy to sit back and do nothing and then criticize everything others do. It doesn't earn you respect

There is a large segment of 40+ males that would be interested in a Shelby version of a new Ford Mustang, especially if it has the performance to back up the reputation. Younger buyers, most females, and fans of other brands may initially say "who? " or "so what? ". One would think a Shelby Mustang would siphon off sales from the existing Mustang Cobra line. If the CS name and race reputation attracts traditional buyers of other makes, then Ford would look like geniuses. IMHO

Fast Farmer

[Kputz]

Lord, I could have written that piece. It's rare indeed when a writer puts aside nostalgia, hyperbole, self promotion and urban legend where CS is concerned, and it's a breath of fresh air. Ford and CS have been common bedfellows for decades for their individual benefit and there's nothing wrong with that. I suspect this is merely more of the same. It may finally, however, be a time where it won't work.

[Lew Ledyard]

It's a better marketing idea than bringing back the spirit of Harley Earl.

[Traveller]

You got that right Lew.

Harley Earl? Who was the marketing genius that thought bringing back some obscure GM executive from the dead would sell more cars?

More importantly, who was the living GM exec that said, “I like it, run with it”?

Hey, maybe they should bring Harley Earl back, for real, and prop his putrefied corpse up in the board room and hang a sign around his neck that says, “I’m Harley Earl, and I’ve come back to really stink the place up”

Back on topic. I think this guy hit the nail on the head. Shelby's problems -as Shelby sees them- are largely of his own making.

Pissed off that Ford owns the right to use "Cobra" - well, he sold that right to them.

Pissed off that replica manufactures make money off of his design - well, he waited 30 years before trying to get trade dress rights.

It seems to me that Shelby is suffering from one of life’s ironies: Sometimes we just don't know what we had until we don't have it any more.

We can all sympathize, but the root of his bitterness is staring 'ol Shell in the face every morning when he reaches for the razor.

[Traveller]

Oh, I wanted to make one more point that teh author brings up:

The whole story turned laughable about ten years ago when Shelby, in his rage to get some of the money that the replica makers were getting, announced to the breathless media that he had mysteriously "found" the parts to make at least another 100 Cobras hidden away in warehouses all over Los Angeles and that he would petition the proper government channels so he could sell "continuation" Cobras. The government bought it hook, line and sinker, and everyone else just shook their heads that Shelby was able to pull the wool over somebody's eyes one more time.

That's out and out fraud folks and I've never seen a full accounting of it.

Wanna be the turd in the punch bowl? Bring up this topic at a Shelby meet amid all of the Carroll worship and watch everyone go silent and stare at their shoes.

[Lowell W]

Do you really think it's CS himself thinking all this $hit up, or is it the marketing experts surrounding him? I've never met the man, but he's always sorta been my hero, largely because he was the guy who dreamed up my all-time favorite car and stuffed it up Ferrari's tailpipe. I'm usually a pretty cynical guy but I'd like to think it's not personal with CS; it's just business and he's being advised by business and legal types.

Say it ain't so, Carroll!

[valpodoc]

The concensus on this forum seems to be that "'ol shel" developed an incredible car and racing program in the 60's, despite overwelming obstacles (the motorhead version of Seabiscut"). I get the feeling some of us would rather CS stood around saying "damm I was good" than "damm I'm good" just a humble opinion.

Roland