Shelby moving to Malta

[ColoradoCobras.]

The December 4th 2003 Issue of Old Cars Magazine, page 12, article by Wallace Alfred Wyss, states that, "John Luft, President of Carroll Shelby International....has finalized arrangements with AC Cars Ltd of England."
Further on in the article it states, " the cars will be made in a new factory set up by AC Cars, Ltd, in Malta an island in the Mediteranean...Luft said Shelby will be winding down production of component Cobras in Las Vegas now that he is bringing in production cars. Ford Motor Co. is assisting with some of the technical aspects of the new AC Cobras."


Reminds me of the days when glassblowing was a secret art and all glassblowers were hidden off on the island of Mirano, Italy.
Islands keep prying eyes away!

Don "the office dude" @ ColoradoCobras.com

[DKing]

Interesting. Here's more on Malta:

Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has become a freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. It is an official candidate for EU membership.

AND:

The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism.

FROM:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/...k/geos/mt.html

I could see why this would be an attractive manufacturing location, from a labor cost and ease of shipment point of view. Looks like somebody did their homework before this decision was made.

[Excaliber]

... of course there are some good people who claim Malta "aint gonna happen", that it's smoke and mirrors. Perhaps there is something to both sides of this story. Time will tell.

Also, it was my understanding that SOME type of "Cobra" would be built on Malta and SOME type of "Cobra" would ALSO be built in the original plant in England.

Specualtion as the to the true story in all this continues. In spite of the appearance "offical" proclamations, rumors, articles, news releases etc. It's complicated at best!

The "Malta" connection rumor has gained some credibility recently, but the rumor itself has been floating around a LONG time before now.

Ernie

[Dominik]

hm,

I thought AC cars moved to Malta?
and I could ask some more questions here, but I won't because maybe someone wants me to.

It is really time that those who know tell what is going on, like Brent from SAI did.

dom, somewhere 34° south

[Bumpster]

So are these Cobras from Malta replacing the fiberglass and aluminum cars Shelby was selling in Las Vegas, or are they replacing the ones that CAV was building for him in South Africa, or is he doing all three? Wherefore art thou, Carroll?

Bumpster

[DKing]

Since the aluminum bodied cars are what they are currently building in Las Vegas, I surmise that the Malta plant will be the manufacturing location for just the aluminum bodied cars, and the 'glass cars will continue to be coming out of CAV/SAI in South Africa. Otherwise, why go through the expense of ramping up production of the 'glass cars at CAV in SA?

Unless, of course, capacity is limited in SA with CAV, and they have excess capacity in Malta to produce 'glass cars along with the aluminum ones.

[Excaliber]

......oh the tangled web of it all.

Ernie

[Bumpster]

NEWS FLASH - DATELINE NORTH POLE -Carroll Shelby signs contract with Santa Claus to have Cobras produced by Elves after Christmas rush is over. It has not yet been determined what material the bodies will be made of, however ice may be used as long as the cars are not driven too far south. The cars will be available starting in the spring. Details will be published soon in some magazine, possibly Autoweek or whatever.

Bumpster

[BMK]

Whoaaa



Laying on the beach in Malta sounds good to me

May apply for the job.

Better than freezing my ..ts off in the cold of the south pole..

Cheers

Bernie

Bernie Knight
Mt. Gambier South Australia.

[brentfenimore]

Hello All,

I only want to make a couple comments, this is what has been formerly agreed upon between Shelby and AC UK Limited.

Shelby Automobiles has gone into a manufacturing and licensing agreement with AC UK for the production of aluminum bodied MkII & MKIII body and frame assemblies. The assemblies are to include the frame, aluminum body, doors, hood, trunk and interior tin only. The production quantity will be limited to a number yet to be determined but it will not xceed 50 per year to be split out between MKII / MKIII according to sales.

The assemblies will be imported to the US to be completed by Shelby at the Las Vegas facility utilizing Shelby components and to Shelby specifications, marketed and sold exclusively by Shelby as Shelby AC Cobras.

The LV plant will continue to produce, market and sell the current aluminum bodied CSX4000 427 S/C with the body and frame assembly supplied by the Poland facility through Kirkham and completed with Shelby components to Shelby specifications.

We currently have no tie to the new AC company which is AC Malta however we are in discussions on a supplier agreement for Shelby to supply the rolling chassis for their AC Ace Program which they plan to assemble at their Malta facility. Both the UK and Malta AC companies as well s the AC trade mark are owned by Alan Lubinsky which has opened the door for other future projects that are yet to be determined.

Thank you,

R Brent Fenimore

[Fox]

Well, I sure will sleep better tonight, Thanks Brent.

-John

[Excaliber]

Excellent Brent! Thanks for keeping us up to date.

You know, a car made in England and finished by Shelby in the USA is about as "real" as it can ever get! Fabulous game plan!!

Ernie