Kirkham in Shelby Registry

[Jim Maxwell]

I didn't put that little Shelby Cobra emblem next to my name, ClubCobra did. If you don't get the self-effacing humor of the "mysterious..." comment, well....OK.
I have this nifty "AC Chassis" manual that came with my 289 and on the first page it gives top billing to AC Cars, LTD, and then mentions Shelby American. I also have an original 289 Cobra brochure. The front cover reads, "Shelby AC Cobra" and the inner page describes the collaboration between Shelby and AC. Seems like more than a supplier relationship to me.
I guess if we really want to be honest, correct, and follow the historical precedent that none other than Carroll Shelby established, then early CSX4000 aluminum body cars should really be "Shelby Kirkham Cobras".
OK. Enough from me on that. Probably more than enough for some!

I am personally in favor of listing all Cobra models, replicas, continuations, etc. in the upcoming and future registries. This is wonderful history of the incredible inspiration provided by the original series of cars and of the effort, time and pride of the owners and builders of all of these Cobras. I especially like the CSX 4000 series, particularly the aluminum body ones. My beef was with your downplaying of the important role AC Cars, Ltd played.
I like them all.
(And I wish I had a Ford GT!)

[Jamo]

Time's running out on this thread...

Folks that have yet to kick Evan in the nuts better hurry up.

[REAL 1]

Jim: No disrespect. I agree with much of what you say. I just see Shelby as playing the more important role then AC. As I understand CS even downplayed ACs involvement as time went by and they played a minor role in the development of the Daytona and 427. Thats the way I see it. AC made the Ace and supplied the Ace chasis and body to SAI which converted them into Shelby Cobras. Thats my take. Take it or leave it but I think its factually sound.

Candidly I have no issue with guys listing what cars they have on the site. I don't see it as "bragging" or being egotistical as this is a car enthusiast site is it not? It nice and at time helpful to know who has what and many guys here have done exactly that.


I agree with your statement on the Registry too. If not for the original series there would be nothing thereafter. As far as I'm concerned the "originals" are the "brass ring" so to speak and the template to follow. No one is trying to elevate the Continuation Series to be an "original" but it does deserve recognition for what it is as stated by SAAC. Someone knocks the car. I simply defend it for what it is. Thats not "bragging", being "egotistical" nor elevating it beyond what it is nor does it mean a continuation owner is saying his is "better or prettier" then others. It is what SAAC has accepted it as. There are those here that can't accept that. Thats my point despite how its "twisted" by a few here with "CSX envy" who take every opprotunity to knock the car.

I also enjoyed the article featuring your car recently in I think it was Sports Car or Classic Car. Can't remember which but it was this past July.

BTW, you wouldn't want a Ford GT, Cowtowncobra has now declared they are "bastardized" "POS"



Jamo: You think I would be here without a heavy duty cup. As usual, I didn't start this but somehow wound up in the middle.

[Trevor Legate]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Time's running out on this thread...

Folks that have yet to kick Evan in the nuts better hurry up.

Durn - they told me it was open season all year.

love from the Thames Ditton Beer Quaffing and Debating Society. God Save the King!

[jdog]

Is kicking Evan in the nuts the same as kicking Bubba in the nuts?

jdog
P.S. With Bubba, at least I have 'gun coverage'!

[REAL 1]

Hey Trevor: Based on the time differential we'll keep it open for you a little longer.

[imagine2frolic]

POWER SURGE, Now that is the most fantastic outlook a person can have!

[xlr8or]

Evan it's not CSX envy. The serial number and signature obviously mean quite a bit to you, but most "non-original Cobra" owners don't place the value on that like you do. For those that do, they don't seem to feel the need to get thier panties in a wad everytime someone doesn't agree.

Do you have the same arguments with people that get a GT40 from RCR, CAV or SPF and tell them your Ford GT is real and they just have fakes.

You should read the post above from Sal over and over, but I'm sure your ego won't let you learn anything from it.

[Jim Maxwell]

Evan, There is no doubt there wouldn't be a Cobra without Carroll Shelby and that AC's part was to convert what they had into what he dreamed up.
Shelby is the most important factor of all, by far, no doubt about it.
Thanks for your comments on the article in Classic Motorsports. We had a great time using 10 old Cobras as they were originally intended. It's hard to find many owners of originals willing to do that anymore, but they are out there.

I still want a Ford GT, despite its sullied reputation.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

Evan,

I think you'll need to get both volumes of the new registry to get the maximum impact of Bill's attachment. But I suspect you are only going to purchase the first one.

Has someone been talking with Howard C. again


Bill S.

[csx700?]

i think you guys are missing some real important history in the cobra story:

1) ed hugus supplied the start up capital and early manufacturing.
if ed hugus had declined ford's offer when ford went to ed to back the first few cobras to be built, the cobra may have been still-born from the get go. shelby was neither in the position to financially back the project nor did he have the facilities to assemble the cobras (look in the registry and see where the first cars were delivered, except csx2000). for his backing of the cobra, ed hugus was to be the east coast distributor / manufacturer (including the first customer race car csx2001).
2) ford supplied the engines and later financial backing.
3) ac supplied the chassis.

* so if shelby is the father of the cobra, where is ed hugus in the cobra story ? *
* the kirkham cars should be in the registry *
* ford had the forethought not to back shelby's possible snake oil product in the beginning *

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by csx700?

* so if shelby is the father of the cobra where is ed hugus in the cobra story ? *

He would be the grandfather

[Jim Maxwell]

Shelby outsourced the financing, of course, like lots of other things.

[Excaliber]

When the football team wins the Superbowl, it's the COACH that gets the glory, more so than any of the players and far more so than the guy who owns/funded the team! Shelby is a crafty rascal, in fact I think he invented the 'Shell Game'.

[Johan]

[quote=Kzof]Spoke to RK of SAAC this should stir the pot.

ME
Dear Sir, please allow me a moment of your time. Recently I have heard
>>> that
>>> Kirkham Cobras will be allowed in the registry. I would like to voice my
>>> opinion against this. I do not approve. They do not belong any more than
>>> an
>>> ERA or a FF. Thank you for allowing me

Greg:
>>
>>
>>
>> We take the long view that in the coming years (5, 10, 20 or so) when most
>> of the people who now own Cobras are dead and buried there will be a lot
>> of
>> opportunities for unscrupulous people to fake original cars. By gathering
>> data on Cobra-type cars that are very similar to the originals (unlike the
>> ERA/.Contemporary/Superformance/FF. , etc) we are insuring that the purity
>> of the originals is maintained. To simply ignore these cars will not make
>> them go away. This is why we include the AC MK IVs, CSX4000s, CSX7000,
>> Ford
>> GT MK Vs, Holman MK IIs, etc. It is not because we are so excited about
>> these other cars per se, but because we take the responsibility for
>> keeping
>> the originals unsullied so seriously. Believe me, it would be much less
>> work
>> to ignore them. But the result would be that some day nobody would be sure
>> which cars were genuine and which were not or how to tell the difference.
>>
>> Rick (Kopec)

[jdog]

They thought the outfits could fool us. Very clever!




Look closely, isn't that Utah in the background?

Of course you've got to let them in!

jdog

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Johan

But the result would be that some day nobody would be sure
>> which cars were genuine and which were not or how to tell the difference.
>>
>> Rick (Kopec)

Johan,

Yup, same pretty much canned response I got as well. It's a "corporate" decision, nothing more, nothing less.


Bill S.

[JWheaton]

Whats Kopec know anyhow?

I've got an original ERA and it is in the original ERA registry. Which will allow us to maintain the pedigree of the outstanding cars from New Britain, Ct.

Thankfully Evan sold his ERA so we don't have to deal with him. Youse guys in SAAC can have him.

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by JWheaton

I've got an original ERA and it is in the original ERA registry. Which will allow us to maintain the pedigree of the outstanding cars from New Britain, Ct.

So is New Britain like a Continuation England? Maybe ERAs have more validity to originals than new CSXs do!

[lineslinger]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

So is New Britain like a Continuation England? Maybe ERAs have more validity to originals than new CSXs do!

Good one Sal, just when you thought all the hornets had calmed down someone always has to go kick the nest just one more time.
I smell a Real 1 alert, and the full wave of illogical ego that comes with it.