Arizona Shelby Cobras

rl1956 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-22-2010, 04:55 PM

Does anyone have any experience with Arizona Shelby Cobras? I'm considering buying a CSX from them.

Thanks.

dcdoug · #2 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 05:48 AM

I don't know them specifically (although I think I remember them having one of the better websites), but I called all of the CSX dealers before I bought my car (although I don't really have a local dealer). I would call Stephen Becker at PlanetCobra and George Andersen at Gessford. Both are outstanding. I bought from Stephen because he had more inventory and already had what I wanted in stock. He was great to work with.

Anyway, that's my $.02, so take it for what it's worth.

EDIT: I just heard that Richard Creel, one of the owners of Arizona Shelby Cobras, "is on extended leave from the Company" and "return time is unknown". Not sure what that means, but it would concern me, so I thought I would share it. They may have also lost their Shelby dealer license, so I would confirm that too....

cobrakalas427 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 08:57 AM

Hey Doug - Before you bought your CSX from Planet Cobra, did you check out T & E in Ohio?

Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB · #4 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 10:15 AM

Doug, I would go through either Hillbank in CA (Lance Stander) or Gary Patterson in Las Vegas. Both been around a long time and both display together at Barrett Jackson and elsewhere. Knowledable, honest guys.
Here is a link to all Shelby dealers:
http://www.shelbyautos.com/dealers.asp

AZ Bob

dcdoug · #5 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrakalas427

Hey Doug - Before you bought your CSX from Planet Cobra, did you check out T & E in Ohio?

I don't think I did, but can't remember exactly.

dcdoug · #6 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB

Doug, I would go through either Hillbank in CA (Lance Stander) or Gary Patterson in Las Vegas. Both been around a long time and both display together at Barrett Jackson and elsewhere. Knowledable, honest guys.
Here is a link to all Shelby dealers:
http://www.shelbyautos.com/dealers.asp

AZ Bob

I am an owner already, its rl1956 that's looking, but for the record I did speak with someone at Hillbank and thought they were knowledgeable. I don't think you can buy from Gary since he works at Shelby, but he seems to be one of the best at Shelby. Now that they have culled the dealer list, my guess is that they are all pretty good.

cobrakalas427 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

I don't think I did, but can't remember exactly.

That's ok...I was just curious if you had any feelings one way or the other that caused you to buy in GA.

dcdoug · #8 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrakalas427

That's ok...I was just curious if you had any feelings one way or the other that caused you to buy in GA.

Since I am in DC, nothing was "local". Mostly, I enjoyed dealing with Stephen Becker and that was the clincher. He was very responsive and also had more flexibility than most of the others on a few issues important to me.

rl1956 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 12:24 PM

They're still listed on Shelby's dealer website. Is there a way to confirm they still have a dealer license? I assume Shelby would drop them from the website if not.

cobrakalas427 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 02:08 PM

I looked at their website earlier today and didn't see anything that stood out regarding about Richard Creel no longer being involved. Maybe he's ill and his wife is running the show in his absence...You could contact Tony Emmert at SAI and see if he knows anything about Arizona Cobras otherwise Shelby Distribution might be the best contact.

cobrakalas427 · #11 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

Since I am in DC, nothing was "local". Mostly, I enjoyed dealing with Stephen Becker and that was the clincher. He was very responsive and also had more flexibility than most of the others on a few issues important to me.

I've read articles about him...he seems to be one of the most loyal Shelby enthusiasts around. I'm glad all worked out for you.

Al G · #12 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 03:09 PM

Arizona Shelby Cobra is on my short list of dealers to buy from, hopefully soon. I visited them last week and they were very knowledgeable and professional. I spent almost 3 hours with Christal Creel and their lead builder Tom Blessin. Richard wasn't there but I didn't think much of it. I've been exchanging email with Christal for a few months and her signature block always identified her as "Owner". Christal is listed as the sole owner of their sister company RC Performance. I did notice this week that her name changed to Christal James. I don't care what goes on in her personal life and never thought about any affect on the business or their relationship with Shelby. I saw no red flags during my visit and am still keeping them in serious consideration for my business as soon as I am ready.

I also had some good exchanges with Tom at T&E Legendary Classics and they are also on my short list. But since they only do 4-speed transmissions they might drop off. I was undecided on 4-speed or 5-speed until I rode in the 5-speed in Arizona. I now understand the 5-speed argument about lower (and quieter) RPM at cruising speeds.

I had a couple of exchanges with Stephen Becker but his answers were very short. I got the feeling he didn't need my business.

Like dcdoug I don't have a local dealer so someone I feel comfortable with is more important than location.

Al G · #13 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 03:21 PM

Also, if you search this forum for "Wickenburg" you find lots of entries about gatherings there. I assume someone from Arizona knows of Arizona Shelby Cobra's reputation and can help the OP.

csx4910 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 05:26 PM

Although I didnt buy my CSX from them I had some good conversations with Tom while researching the possibility of doing a 42 gallon tank in my CSX and found him to be nice, responsive to emails and very pleasant on the phone. Do you live up in Wickenberg or down here in the valley? Either way good luck and after my dealer went out of business, I wouldnt think about buying something like a cobra that wasnt local. I wouldnt want to have to try to be shipping a car back and forth if it had problems.
Ron

twobjshelbys · #15 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 06:06 PM

What ever happened with the 42gal tank idea?

csx4910 · #16 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 06:23 PM

Sounded like a great idea until I got quoted almost $4000 from Shelby for just the tank, not counting labor to switch it out or about $3200 to have a regualr tank(not fuel cell) made custom plus labor. Too rich for my blood

dcdoug · #17 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csx4910

Either way good luck and after my dealer went out of business, I wouldnt think about buying something like a cobra that wasnt local.
Ron

If you trust the dealer, buying local would be a big plus, especially if you aren't doing work on the car yourself. My local cobra club fills the gap for me and I still call Stephen with questions from time to time.

dcdoug · #18 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csx4910

Sounded like a great idea until I got quoted almost $4000 from Shelby for just the tank, not counting labor to switch it out or about $3200 to have a regualr tank(not fuel cell) made custom plus labor. Too rich for my blood

Did you contact Nick Acton (Mickmate)? I know that he does tanks.

csx4910 · #19 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 06:56 PM

No I have only gotten the quote from Shelby and the Csx dealer here in Az
Ron

dcdoug · #20 (**permalink**) 04-23-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csx4910

No I have only gotten the quote from Shelby and the Csx dealer here in Az
Ron

PM Nick and see what he says.

http://www.actoncustom.com/plugins/a...ype=1&bgStyle=