Shell Valley Co. is no longer in operation.

[AC Cobra]

I just received my windshield two weeks ago from International Wholesale. They are a good company and a big supplier of Cobra parts. I just hope they are not included in the closing.

[Bernica]

OK, Superformance too. Based on their market position and price point....

[SMC]

Shell Valley Companies Inc including International Wholesale is for sale and currently open for business. Any interested and qualified buyers of the company should contact SMC, LLC at (866) 961-3211 for additional information.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by SMC

Shell Valley Companies Inc including International Wholesale is for sale and currently open for business. Any interested and qualified buyers of the company should contact SMC, LLC at (866) 961-3211 for additional information.

I sure hope a buyer comes to the plate. My brief experience was nothing short of superb. Now I'm going to call and get the car cover. That's a heck of a price!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Bernica

"Thinning of the heard". Makes you wonder who will survive? Bets on survivors? I would say SAI, Kirkham and ERA.

I'm sure the good folks at FFR, Unique and BDR will happy to read this post.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I'm sure the good folks at FFR, Unique and BDR will happy to read this post.

Not my intention to disrespect anyone. All are good folks, and I have the utmost respect for everyone. We're all squeezing anything we can to make things work right now. Just gonna be tough....

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I'm sure the good folks at FFR, Unique and BDR will happy to read this post.

It's hard to tell. Bernica named the "big three" and, personally, I hope that Peter P., Bob P., the Kirkham bros., and the other owners of those two companies are all multi-millionaires. They certainly deserve to be but, from what I've been told, the margins in their business really aren't as much as people believe. Not wihen you remember that they have to provide benefits for their employees, insurance, taxes, fund their deferred comp plans, etc. They're not in it for the money; they definately "march to a different drummer," and I'm really glad they do. Hopefully they have "key man" insurance as well.

[FUNFER2]

I feel these comments are damn distasteful.
You should be ashamed of yourselves, at this time of hardship for so many business's and their employee's.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

I feel these comments are damn distasteful.
You should be ashamed of yourselves, at this time of hardship for so many business's and their employee's.

Me?

[FUNFER2]

No, your a good guy.

[Bernica]

Not PatrickT, It's me. And I apologize to anyone offended. Not my intention, and in retrospect...Kevin is right. OK, I'll shut up.

[Ronbo]

It's a tough thing to see happen. I've spent the last couple years adapting my business to the changing tide, problem is even if you know where you need to go half your employees can't (or won't) adapt.

One part of my business mainly caters to the local utilities, something you'd think would be somewhat recession-proof. That is until their capital expendature financing through Lehmann Bros. evaporated...

But you do what you can, bark at the employees for leaving the A/C on 65, trim off as much waste as possible, look for solutions bad times force other businesses to look for (or don't know about).

Sounds silly but even a Cobra builder may find in tough times that no one makes a good ironing board anymore and they can fill that need.

[FUNFER2]

You don't have to shut up. You apologized, and all is fine in the Cobra world again.

[Venamm]

I hope someone just as nice and honest as Rich, Dana and Jason from SV and IW keeps the company going. A great legacy.

If it dare goes to auction I am sure the mold and frame jig would fetch a hefty penny.

[efnfast]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

I feel these comments are damn distasteful.
You should be ashamed of yourselves, at this time of hardship for so many business's and their employee's.

Lol. Should we call the waaaambulance for them? Would you like a ride in it as well?

[slithering]

Originally Posted by computerworks

...facts confirmed by a reliable source.

Moved to All Cobra Talk

Ron,

Have you talked to Rich? I'll try to give him a call today.

Chris

[Bill Bess]

It's really quite simple, numerous replica companys, high operating costs, low profit margins and then the down turn in customers buying cars. It's the same in all non- essential enterprizes that grow in the good times and shrink in the lean times. ie.RV, Boats and travel. Cobra Bill got it right "Market Correction".

Hang in there, the good ones will survive in one form or another..maybe morf into something even better.
Bill

[mrmustang]

For those that missed this:

http://www.smcauctions.net/cgi-bin/mndetails.cgi?smc4


RIP Shell Valley & Co.



Bill S.

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by slithering

Ron,

Have you talked to Rich? I'll try to give him a call today.

Chris

Please do. We need the straight scoop.
I could not get him, but someone did verify the action in place.

...plus, as Bill posted, a liquidation auction is scheduled.

[john chesnut]

I got a call from Shell Valley yesterday. They are completely shut down. I had an order in and was told that the bank has told them not to fill it. Later in the day I got a call to tell me that my molds and jigs needed to be removed immediately, Friday not being to soon. I am in New Hampshire they are in Nebraska. Ouch!!
Rich is a great guy, I hope the best for him, his family, and the fine people that worked there. Dana and Roger have been great to work with. This industry will miss them.
I was also told that the jigs/molds will be going to auction. Being in the Kit Car business doesn't make sense to me on an economic level. You have to have a passion for it. I still have the passion but my body is letting me down.