New Shelby CAV report. For those interested.

[Carroll DeWeese]

I do not understnd something. Shelby has been selling "original" aluminum body cars. People who want an "original-like" car will buy one of those. Once Shelby goes to fiberglass, he just has a replica. It is not "original" and it is not aluminum. This adds to confusion about a Shelby car. Will this not destract from his "original-like" cars and their value and desireability? People who want a Shelby car can get a much cheaper reproduction and not have to step up to the aluminum body car.

Let us assume that the car is as good or better than the SPF. If it is not, Shelby is putting his name at stake. If it is, Shelby risks looking like a "me too" copy instead of a unique prestige. Yhis looks to me like trying for short-term gain at the risk of long-term loss. Why is Shelby bluring the line?

[computerworks]

Carroll...

A clarification...

Shelby has always been selling fiberglas cars; the original CSX4000 product began as only 'glas bodied cars.
It wasn't until a few dozen 'glas cars were sold before they began offering aluminum versions. Both have been and still are available from SA

[Carroll DeWeese]

My misunderstanding. Then why do many people seem to look down on fiberglass car compared to aluminum?

[computerworks]

Originally posted by Carroll DeWeese


My misunderstanding. Then why do many people seem to look down on fiberglass car compared to aluminum?

Carroll, that's a question I haven't the foggiest idea of an answer.

I think it's more psychological than technical.

If you are a purist and originality is your prime consideration, an alloy car is more faithful to the original.

But a 'glas car is more practical and can look just as good.

One must realize they are all replicas, you see.

[Turk]

Carroll,
I think anyone who knocks ANY fiberglass car hasn't seen enough ERAs, SPFs, CSXs UNIQUEs of higher quality fit and finish.
I have said it repeatedly, I had a fiberglass car, now I have a alloy car. I prefer the fiberglass car.

I suspect many others do too.

just because one is more expensive to produce and own doesn't make it better. It makes it more expensive and more authentic.

NOTHING wrong with fiberglass. It is good enough for million dollar yachts, it is good enough for me.

TURK

[Ron61]

Carroll,

This is not a scientific answer as to why people look down on fiberglass Cobras as compared to aluminum ones, but at the car shows I have been to and talked to all the people, about 90% seem to feel that because the originals were made of aluminum they were stronger, safer, etc because they were race cars. This seems to be a Cobra stgma if that is the correct term as when I point out that Corvettes have always been fiberglass, most people just say, yea but they weren't made to race, they were show room cars. Obvisusly I don't meet the most knowledgeable people at these shows.

Ron

[Turk]

Ron,
Stop going to Dodge carshows with your Corvette.


TURK

[REAL 1]

Hal/Dan: I posted this information as I believed that many here would be interested in the information. It matters not to me personally.

My experience with HRE and Billy Andrews is that Billy is a perfectionist. Just go see some of the cars he turns out. Awesome! He was of course concerned that the SA CSX would be of the same quality that as the LV CSX's. He was anxious to see one in the "flesh".

The cars he delivers to his customers and his work are top notch. He wants to continue that. So when Billy told me the SA CSX was terrific and high quality, that to me is a tremendous endorsement. Billy is a straight shooter.

As to why aluminum has more panache' than glass. Hard to say really. But it does, no question. There is an allure and mystic to the alloy bodied Cobras. Why do alot of guys with glass cars want aluminum panels in their trunk and engine bay? So it looks like the original and gives the impression the car is aluminum. Doesn't make it "better" though except if you want a car that was just like the original series.

Both glass and aluminum have their advantages and disadvantages.

[Tom T.]

Ron,

Since the C5s came out, no more fiberglass. It's some other sort of plastic-type stuff--thinner, lighter, supposedly better finish, etc.

TT

[Mike Bartlett]

Real1
I just got back from Reno NV yesterday. I put a deposite down on
a CAV Cobra. I even received my CSX number. They had the first CAV car there during the International Chile Cookoff. It was Carroll Shelby's. It was brought into the states not too long ago. The car was shipped to LV and thoroughly checked out by Carroll himself and the rest of the Vegas crew. Overall the car looked great! Carroll would like some minor changes to take place but nothing too drastic. I looked it over for quite awhile and was very impressed. Body, doors, trunk, hood, all looked to be done well. It was painted Guardsman Blue with stripes which looked very nice. Leather interior and carpet were done very well. There was no motor or tranny which was nice because I could really check out the engine compartment. Wiring, plumbing, etc all looked good. My only complaint that I brought up to Jim Wallace, the dealer, was the underside of the hood was painted black but had a kinda rough, textured finish. I asked if that was going to be corrected or covered with the panel kit. He mentioned that the Vegas crew made the same observation. He will get back to me on that. Anyway, I paid $39,995.00 and am
anxiously waiting for December timeframe for it to come in. Got a few things left to do on my 66 427 S/O then I am ready.

[Allan A]

Mike,

Good for you, I have a number of photos of the new car if anyone wants them. We had a blast driving our new cars home. They handle fantastic, night and day to my last car. Get the motor running and we will see you on the road soon.

Allan