rumor control--has SAAC lost its use of Shelby name?

[JWheaton]

Originally Posted by rdorman

The thing that surprises me the most about this thread is a bothered to look

hehehehe -- its like rubber necking on the roads, all are waiting to see the accident ahead.

[Jay Little]

Originally Posted by hey,littlecobra

Jay, where did you get the magazine?? What's it called again??
(i hate the thought of going back all these pages to find the name of it )
thanks, Kristen

Kristen, I bought it at my local Kroger store. They had about 15-20 of these and I thought, what the heck.

Click on this link, http://www.stangsunleashed.com/teamshelby, then go to the bottom of the page and you will see a cover pic on the right hand side.

The name of the magazine is simply, SHELBY.

[rdorman]

Originally Posted by JWheaton

hehehehe -- its like rubber necking on the roads, all are waiting to see the accident ahead.

I think you hit that nail right on the head!

[amy B]

Guys, this will be my last post for a while, I will try to get this resolved offline.

I will say this, I appreciate those who have given me at least the benefit of the doubt. Yes, I do work with all the entities that are Carroll's, there's the tire group, the engine company , the wheel company, the new engine group. licensing, food company, etc....... That said, we talk, that's how I knew about the cancellation, I didn't see the letter, I did not know about documents.

To those that sent me emails and PM's, thank you.

To those that beat up on the public site but send me nice private emails, I am at a loss. We can discuss later ...lol

I will leave you all with this. I was told, there were calls, there were emails/letters, before the big one. All it would have taken was a phone call from one of 2 guys. I am sure that would have alleviated all the issues.


Amy

[JWheaton]

Amy,

I have no doubt you will be able to have a positive impact. I think you've heard and recognized the good, the bad and the ugly from this thread.

I was on the Carroll Shelby site that provides a list of historical moments this morning. For no reason other than I went to one website (Shelby Auto) and started to discover all these other Shelby sites. What was interesting was that there were a few dates along the chronology that mention particular SAAC events. If SAAC is was important enough for some historian to suggest to Shelby to include on his website prior to the current state of affairs, then I have to imagine that somewhere it remains important to continued Shelby/SAAC relations.

Enjoy the crazyness of all that goes along with passion for a silly, old, way to loud car. I envy the job you get to do. In the end it will all be good.

Jamie

[Jim Maxwell]

Amy, Thanks for your participation here. As a long time Cobra fanatic, ever since my big brother, Ed, bought CSX 2306 in 1969 (for $5500), I have enjoyed all things Shelby. I have been a member of SAAC since ~1987 or so, when I finally had the money to buy a real Shelby (CSX 2401). Med school and residency kind of got in the way of car stuff for a few years, but all those nights moonlighting in the ER for extra cash was with one goal in mind, a Shelby Cobra.
SAAC has been a great help to me over the years in many ways. Do I think the magazine will win any Pulitzer's? No. Is Rick warm and fuzzy at the convention? Heck,no, and I wouldn't be either with the success of a huge event weighing heavy on my shoulders. Does it cost a lot to get into the SAAC events? Have you ever seen what it cost to rent a major race track? For a small club (and SAAC is, relatively speaking) the costs aren't spread out over a huge number of folks. While I don't have any idea regarding the actual finances of SAAC, I'll bet they earn every cent they make and I'll also bet it isn't near as much as some folks dream it is.
The American demand for perfection in all things is a major societal flaw, I think. Everyone thinks, usually with the assistance of 20/20 hindsite and an inflated opinion of one's own talents, that they can solve every problem better than everyone else ( I have this problem, myself).

This is a hobby for me and I don't take most of this stuff as seriously as some others. I chose to "lighten up" a few years ago when I realized that life was too short to sweat the small stuff, and this, believe me, is small stuff, compared to health, love, friends, and, yes, even , fun.
The rude and threatening comments directed toward Amy were, uh,...disappointing, to say the least. As a member of ClubCobra I was embarrassed and ashamed. (of course, I have been retrospectively embarrassed and ashamed of many things I have said in my lifetime, lest anyone thing I feel "holier than thou").
Shelby and his companies have the right to do with their intellectual property whatever they see fit. SAAC has kept the flame alive for $1 a year, I hear. So what does Shelby owe them going forward? Some think a lot. I think it is a wash. SAAC helped him, he helped them by licensing for $1. He didn't ask SAAC to do what the members did. Did he benefit? Heck, yes. So, exactly how long does he owe a debt? Forever? That's not fair, I think.
Amy, I hope your venture turns out to be all you and Carroll dream it will be, WHATEVER the reasons. Profit is NOT a dirty word in everyone else's business.
If any other Club Cobra member was creating a new business venture, wouldn't we all wish them well?
Go for it! New car nuts in the making, just like us!

[RedCSX1]

Originally Posted by amy B

Guys, this will be my last post for a while, I will try to get this resolved offline.

I will say this, I appreciate those who have given me at least the benefit of the doubt. Yes, I do work with all the entities that are Carroll's, there's the tire group, the engine company , the wheel company, the new engine group. licensing, food company, etc....... That said, we talk, that's how I knew about the cancellation, I didn't see the letter, I did not know about documents.

To those that sent me emails and PM's, thank you.

To those that beat up on the public site but send me nice private emails, I am at a loss. We can discuss later ...lol

I will leave you all with this. I was told, there were calls, there were emails/letters, before the big one. All it would have taken was a phone call from one of 2 guys. I am sure that would have alleviated all the issues.


Amy

Thanks for taking time out of your very busy day to communicate what is happening over at Shelby. One of the past complaints has been that Shelby Autos did not communicate with the customers and fans of all things Cobra. I will say that you have done much to change that.

Take care,

Morgan

[REAL 1]

Amy: Good luck with the new venture. I think its a good idea. Also I would pay no attention to "some" here as they are not worth paying attention too and have done nothing but to continually degrade the Continuation cars and at times SAI and in many cases motivated by sour grapes and other juvinille motives.

Any assistance I can offer feel free to PM me.

Jim: I disagree to an extent about SAAC "keeping the flame alive". I think the car had its fan base with or without SAAC and will continue to have its fan base with or without SAAC. The fan base of the Cobra allowed and has allowed SAAC to continue not visa versa. Thats how I see it.

[xlr8or]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Jim: I disagree to an extent about SAAC "keeping the flame alive". I think the car had its fan base with or without SAAC and will continue to have its fan base with or without SAAC. The fan base of the Cobra allowed and has allowed SAAC to continue not visa versa. Thats how I see it.

Is that opinion influenced by who was included in the picture and who wasn't?


Amy,
Ditto what Morgan said on the customer communications.

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Jim: I disagree to an extent about SAAC "keeping the flame alive". I think the car had its fan base with or without SAAC and will continue to have its fan base with or without SAAC. The fan base of the Cobra allowed and has allowed SAAC to continue not visa versa. Thats how I see it.

Evan, no personal attack here but I think on this point you are really in the minority.

The SAAC conventions especially, have provided Shelby exposure to us Ford fans that most other marques can only dream about.
Lots of marques have big shows but SAAC was the first to allow the owners to put their cars on the track where an awfull lot of us fans prefer.After all Shelby made his name on the track not the show field.

RD

[Jim Maxwell]

Evan, I think that in recent years the Cobra fan base has certainly grown way beyond what SAAC cultivated, sprouting from the seeds sown by the numerous replica manufacturers who saw a market for the car that so many of us lusted after as kids, teenagers and adults. I agree that the overall fan base is not currently dependent on SAAC. However, SAAC and its forefathers should be given much credit for keeping the flame alive for the ~30 years or so before the replicas became so popular. SAAC was and is the organization that has tracked the history and created the enthusiasts' club that allowed owners and fans alike to communicate about, learn, share, sell and buy, and provide a venue for advertising by suppliers of Shelby and Cobra related parts and service.

Gee, I think I just described "ClubCobra", pre-Internet.

It's a symbiotic relationship, for sure.

[Jamo]

Evan, when will you finally understand...it's not the car, it's you.

[RodKnock]

I would also have to disagree with Evan. SAAC was huge in keeping the marque alive and growing it. I just it needs to have someone new to carry the torch.

[turnpike boy]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Evan, when will you finally understand...it's not the car, it's you.

Oh, gawd, here we go again........

[hey,littlecobra]

Let's use me as an example.
I am not a member of SAAC. Never thought of joining. I've had my Cobra for almost 4 years. Got the new 500 7-8 months ago. So... am i part of the new 'target group' of TEAM SHELBY??

Has SAAC ever needed people like me?? With replicas, and original wannabe's??
Are there absolutely THOUSAND'S like me, who don't care anything about being a member of SAAC?? Is SAAC a dying breed to the 'old school' of Cobra/Shelby mustang collecting?? Isn't that happening across the board with almost all vintage collecting??
I surely can understand Shelby and his family/lawyers/handlers wanting to get ALL his entities under one roof. I don't think this has been handled the best way, but i certainly don't begrudge him/them the task of reeling things in. So SAAC had the licensing agreement. They've been lucky and fortunate to have it. I agree with somebody that posted above, don't remember who, that they've both benefited from each others involvement.
SAAC has in the past (don't know about now) supported and extended the hobby to the masses; Shelby needed them, altho' maybe didn't realize it. SAAC needs Shelby to continue to do the cars, be the legend to perpetuate their existence.
This is an evolving process and probably won't be as big a change as some are prediciting. Change of this magnitude takes a long time to happen.

I for one am not interested in paying dues and belonging to a 'club' that looks down on replicas, that might be elitist. IF the Shelby Team is going to welcome replicas of ANY manufacture, then they might just have something going. I haven't really read anything that says it's open to other Cobra's. Just the continuation, etc???
Just musing here.
I think i'm a pretty good representation of the 'regular joe' that has a replica and just wants to have fun with the zillions other folks with replicas. Organized clubs can really mess things up.
Kristen

[Excaliber]

Well at least we won't be beating up on Amy now that Evan has stepped into the ring...

I don't think either 'club' thinks that highly of replicas anyway you look at it. At best there somewhat 'accepted' as a bastard step child. Thats OK with me, I just wanna drive my car.

[John McMahon]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Evan, when will you finally understand...it's not the car, it's you.

"Its ok Evan....they all know you own a REAL Cobra....its ok, let it go....feel the love!"

[CSX 4039]

never mind

[Jim Maxwell]

As a long time SAAC member, I am sorry that anyone feels that they are looked down upon if they own a replica. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery". I love the replicas. Their owners have kept the spirit alive and growing. I'll cause some problems here, but my some of my favorites are the ERA cars because I have to look really hard to tell them from originals. And the Factory Five cars have brought the fun and excitement to so many folks that have an intense love for the cars. Of course, the Kirkhams and Shelbys are the Cartier of the replicas (and continuations).
I am not a SAAC insider. But it just makes sense to me from a survival point of view that if there are owners of original Shelbys that more often than not have financial resources beyond the average, I would market to them since they rent the race garages, they bring numerous cars, their companies may advertise or sponsor things, etc. Just because you see the semis with displays of several incredible Shelbys under one roof shouldn't create the assumption that they are being catered to. Those that feel that way should examine whether you are just jealous that isn't your semi! (I know I feel that way!)
Those better financially better off folks are just as entitled to be there as you and you are just as entitled to be there, too.
That being said, the bouncer will let Bruce Willis in before me every time. How fair is that? I think I will go on a tirade about that later tonight in a new thread. Then again, maybe I will thank God for what I have and not worry too much about what I lack ( which my wife is probably sharing with her book club as we speak).

[What'saCobra?]

Hey, Little and others point out the most obvious shortcoming of both the new and the old membership companies.

There is little to no acceptance of Cobra replicas and kits, despite the excellence of each and the obvious flip/flopping of owners in and out of each type and category of Cobra.

This is no call for the SAAC Registry to include F5's or ERA's. But, if the intent is to convert sales of replicas to "real" of various types (Ford "Stangs, Shelby 500's, Shelby engines, etc), SOMEONE ought to provide some inclusionality to those replica owners that are obviously very potential buyers of newer machines. How many do you know own one or more of each at some time or other, and switch between them as the various markets rise and fall, along with personal interests and fortunes?

Sure, some of the replica provider/builders have their own clubs, events and even regulated competitions. Nice, that. Others have nothing and most have little national eventing. SAAC wasn't interested for the various obvious reasons. But, Shelby/FORD have very good reason to get connected to these people. It is mis-direction to focus only on the post purchase people, but additionally forget to encourage the current Cob owners to get "coordinated" street wheels.

Maybe this is too obvious to everyone and assumed. But, i think if Shel' wants to connect with his own heritage, there are many many more than 1000 "original" believers that love the cars and romance the story.

Would the clubs rather they move "up" to new Corvette's, Magnums and Mazdas?