AC enters the fray

[Scott Smith]

Well, it had to happen. AC is running an ad in this week's Autoweek offering finished 2000 series and 3000 series rollers for $86K.

And, they're offering them as "ORIGINALS."

[HighPlainsDrifter]

YEH.....AC COBRA !

What else would they be but ORIGINALS ?

They are still the original manufacturer so that begs the question..

Is a Shelby cobra the 1st REPLICAR ?

Perry.
[a replica of Perry Mason]

[tainoart]

Does anyone know who is the Parent Company for AC?

[Dan Semko]

The parent company owner is Jim Price in South Africa who also owns Hi Tech; who supplies Superformance related products in the USA and the world.

[KeithBrown]

$86K -seems high to me. While I would love to have an AC cobra, I still think I would prefer a SS frame ALum-bodied Kirkham Cobra for almost $20k less, or a Kirkham-bodied SAI also for less.

Regards,

Keith

[computerworks]

Originally posted by Dan Semko


The parent company owner is Jim Price in South Africa who also owns Hi Tech; who supplies Superformance related products in the USA and the world.

...it's my understanding that they are in the process of suing themselves.

[REAL 1]

I guess they would be real AC's. Original? Thats a stretch.

There is no CSX vin nor are they legally "Cobras" Maybe they could use the COB vin # or COX vin #'s.

Interesting if SAAC will recognize them for listing in the registry.

Hmmm.

Very interesting.

All in all they probably use the original bucks with better grade aluminum than originals. They probably use the same jigs for the chasis. That really nice!

Question is since production of the original series stopped years ago are they also "replicas" of the originals.

Both the CSX and the AC will no doubt be identical. One coming from the Company that brought the Cobra to life the other from the company that physically built the car for the originator as to the 2000 series and who was subcontracted to build the 3000 series to Shelby's specs.

Would one rather have a Shelby Cobra or an AC 427 for the money. Very interesting.

I'd rather have the Shelby but I'm sure some would opt for the AC. Both have their pluses.

[KeithBrown]

Originally posted by REAL 1


I
I'd rather have the Shelby but I'm sure some would opt for the AC. Both have their pluses.

Evan, I with you on this one. No question here for me.

Regards,

Keith

[tainoart]

Just received word that AC is now owned by Superformance. Amaizing that this turn of events is putting the term ORIGINAL under Superformance's umbrella.

Who would have thought? This is not a rumor but a fact.

[computerworks]

Originally posted by REAL 1


I guess they would be real AC's. Original? Thats a stretch.

There is no CSX vin nor are they legally "Cobras" Maybe they could use the COB vin # or COX vin #'s.

Interesting if SAAC will recognize them for listing in the registry.

Hmmm.

Question is since production of the original series stopped years ago are they also "replicas" of the originals.

Evan, unequivocally, it would be a real original 2003 AC.

It can have a CSX number (and probably will.) In fact, then can (and probably will) pick up at CSX33xx number that was last used in THEIR ledger. AC assigned the numbers, not Shelby.

It would just as much be a replica of the originals as a CSX4000 is.

The Registry...hey, why not? As I've said before... if they list the Eleanor's, they might as well add anything else that comes along.

[REAL 1]

Kinda like a REAL original 2003 Shelby?

Will they be able to use the CSX prefix for vin #'s here in the States? CSX stands for Carroll Shelby Export right? I don't believe they used the CSX vin # previously with their AC 427s.

I'm not positive but I would suspect that any effort to utilize the CSX prefix would invite another legal battle with SAI.

I believe that SAI/CS has proprietary rights to the "CSX" prefix, Cobra logo and name. Shelby lost the trade dress issues but the name, logo and prefix are all proprietary.

I could definitely see an argument for including the AC in the registry.

[computerworks]

Shelby tried to trademark the CSX prefix in 1987, but was not successful.

CSX comes from
"C-car" (production designator)
"Shelby" (customer)
"eXport" (configuration)

...but remember..it was THEIR assignment not SAI's

From US Trademark Office...

Word Mark CSX
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 012. US 019. G & S: AUTOMOBILES. FIRST USE: 19870715. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19870715
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 73697255
Filing Date November 23, 1987
Owner (APPLICANT) SHELBY AUTOMOBILES INC. CORPORATION CALIFORNIA 12444 EAST PUTNAM STREET WHITTIER CALIFORNIA 90602
Attorney of Record EDWARD A. SOKOLSKI
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date November 28, 1989

[REAL 1]

AC assigned the CSX vin but it was clearly a prefix for Shelby.

So there will be two cars using the CSX prefix. Oy Vey. This is getting ridiculous.

[Bill Kesner]

Sounds like Superformance has fired a shot back at the Shelby camp. I'm not real clear as to who has the actual right to assign the CSX numbers, though I would have to believe that Shelby does with the CSX3000 continuation cars, in addition to the 4000, 7000, & 8000 cars.

My guess is that they will simply call their cars a 2003 AC 2000 or 3000 series car without the actual CSX number attached to the car. Not a bad counter-attack if you think about it...though I'm sure you can bet that there will be another shot fired back...and soon! Anyone know here I can purchase the 1st hardcopy of the Shelby/Superformance Wars.

- Bill -

[computerworks]

Originally posted by Bill Kesner


I'm not real clear as to who has the actual right to assign the CSX numbers, though I would have to believe that Shelby does with the CSX3000 continuation cars..
...in addition to the 4000, 7000, & 8000 cars.

The CSX30xx numbers are completion cars... new ones are continuation cars.

AC closed the books on Shelby at certain numbers. They have the right to continue serializing any way they want.

[mr bruce]

World Champion, Shelby Cobra. Kirkham,SPF, AC,F5, ERA,etc. None can use those words in describing their cars. That is part of the alure of these cars, and some folks are willing to pay the premium to say, "I own a Cobra, a World Champion Shelby Cobra" .

[REAL 1]

Completion Compschmeshin, Continuation, Continuschmaltion. What does Continuation mean? What does completion mean.

Completion connotes that there is an fixed end. Where will it end????

Continuation seems to connote the continuation of the 3000 series. Its all silly.

Bruce is right. In short AC was the subcontractor building a car to Shelby's specs especially in 427 variety and the aura of the Cobra legend and world beating performance revolves around Shelby. The Cobra was conceived, born and developed by Shelby regardless of the malarky contained in the "definitive Cobra Time" to the contrary.

I think the car more desired will no doubt be the Shelby. This is proved out when comparing the values of an original Shelby CSX to a AC COB. They aren't even close. Its the "Shelby" in the mix that makes it soooo desirable.

Not that I don't think the AC isn't very nice. It is indeed.

[computerworks]

Evan, it's very uncool to start making Three Stooges noises when you don't understand...
...those terms "completion" and "continuation" were defined by SAAC in the last Registry.

Check your owner's manual... you have one of the "continuation" cars.

[REAL 1]

Yuck, Yuck, Yuck. I was just cogitating and expressin by MOHO.

It just seems to me that continuation series should be reserved for any newly built 3000 series as the "Continue" the series.

Anyway I don't make the rules.

I'm happy with the designation "Continuation" series for the 4000s.

Certnly.

[Bill Kesner]

Thanks Ron........

I found the spell check, but couldn't find the info check button. That's why we have you!

I'm heading back to the garage to "continue" working on my continuation car in hopes that it will be at its completion stage sometime soon...err OK? With AC back in the picture, do I own a Real Continuation?? Here we go again!

- Bill -