Any Truth to the rumors?

Turk · #1 (**permalink**) 05-18-2003, 09:21 AM

Brent, or Bob or anyone else from Shelby American who can speak for the company!!

In the light of rumors going around regarding the possible sale of Shelby American to Factory Five, I think it would be in the interest of the Cobra Community if someone would come in and let the folks know if there is any truth to these rumors.

The hush hush nature of such transactions usually does not allow for full public disclosure. However if it IS true, obviously it is too late for the secretive nature of this transaction. It is already out there, otherwise we wouldn't know about it, and I wouldn't be asking the question,.

If it is NOT true, then an emphatic denial is in order.

There are many people who are both curious, and nervous about a merger such as this.

Some have wondered about the future value of their cars, and I have received emails (as a CSX owner) to the contrary telling me about the future value of MY car because it was one of the last ones Shelby built.

All this, is of interest to many people who frequent this site. This is where some of your customers -present and future- reside. You guys owe it to them to clear the air.

Brent, if you end up as the chosen one to take on this task, try it this time without being confrontational with the readers.

TURK

Bill Wells · #2 (**permalink**) 05-18-2003, 06:32 PM

hello, hello..anybody home ? earth to sai ! calling sai ! hello ! bill

Turk · #3 (**permalink**) 05-18-2003, 06:42 PM

Bill,
Why don't we post the same in the FFR forum and see if we get a more immediate response.

TURK

Bill Wells · #4 (**permalink**) 05-18-2003, 06:45 PM

ah hah. after seeing your note, i just checked the ffr site . its already there, someone posted a link to the cc thread...now i will have to go read their prose re same topic. bill.

Dan Semko · #5 (**permalink**) 05-18-2003, 11:29 PM

I just sent a personal note to Bob Marsh but haven't received a reply. I think that it's probably a hoax just from the financial aspect alone but would feel wonderful if it is true knowing that we have the last batch of alloy CSX cars from SAI.

Bill Wells · #6 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 09:25 AM

interesting , all parties are mum.

unless i missed it, there are no public denials nor confirmations from either SAI or FFR . YET !

seems like if it was a dead end rumor that flat out denials would have quickly been posted by either or both sai/ffr corporate folks in the know, who frequent this site ...

just pondering here. bill

CobraEd · #7 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 09:33 AM

The fact that these people are keeping tight lipped about this tells me that there is probably a lot of truth to this.

jhaynie · #8 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 09:41 AM

You would thing Shelby would have to die before something like that happened. Too much bad blood I would think.

Bill Wells · #9 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 09:45 AM

dollars can overcome alot of blood letting i would think.

and , if ya want a legacy to continue after you might pass on, then perhaps due to venture industries bankruptcy a bet would be to sell sai to a cobra replica specialist, be it ffr or ??

better odds of survival and legacy continuing with those that have stayed the course and suffered and survived thru good and bad times...so i would not rule out the possibility of a sale to a 'now' competitor at all....the silence from both sides does fuel the rumor though, doesnt it ? bill.

Hisss · #10 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 10:47 AM

It's not true. Who started this silly rumour anyway?

CobraEd · #11 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 10:49 AM

Wasn't it a comment from Carrol on in one of the mags?

Excaliber · #12 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 11:05 AM

Bob Marsh just confirmed the rumor is DEAD, aint gonna happen!

Ernie

dscott · #13 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 01:49 PM

This isn't confirmed by any means but I just read in a copy of USA Tomorrow that Ed "DV" is buying the Famous Amos chocolate chip cookie company. From what I heard he is changing the name to Famous DV's cookies. Hang on to those old cookies. Wonder if they'll be injected or blown?

Don

RACERAL · #14 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 08:07 PM

I don't mean to butt in on the csx site.. but if it were to be true and I doubt it is.. I can almost bet my car the the Smith boys would hold the real cobras in the highest regards and would never do anything to disrepect the COBRA. They love those cars.. Would I like to have a real one or a continuation one.. YOU BET YOUR LIFE..

JWheaton · #15 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 09:08 PM

Turk:

Has the same question been posted to FFR?

All this rumor nonsense does not just fall onto the shoulders of SAI.

Thanks for the post count opportunity

Turk · #16 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 09:21 PM

Since Bob Marsh has spoken, there really is no need to go there and stir it up.
I am not a user of that forum, and others who spend time at both forums must have raised the question there as well.

TURK

KobraKarl · #17 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 09:31 PM

Thank............god, lucky stars , whatever you choose.........

I dont have a shelby , but I like knowing if I wanted one I could get the REAL one. No knock on any one else.

KK

Double Venom · #18 (**permalink**) 05-20-2003, 05:21 AM

Well, I categorically deny any involvement with the "AMOS" Chocolate Chip cookie factory!

DV...Then again, I have no idea what the Mrs. is up to

Jason Lee Nye · #19 (**permalink**) 05-21-2003, 04:13 PM

I don't understand why some people are appalled or upset at the idea. Is SAI currently in the red? How many years in the red? Clearly there is a need for new management and new direction. If anybody is to turn SAI around, it would be the Smith Brothers.

The misdirection of SAI is what got them into the suit and losing battle against Factory 5, pitted them against their fan/customer base and potential customer base. Old school tactics which clearly worked against SAI. New blood and new direction is what SAI needs if it is to stay alive in the future. The Smith Brothers loves these cars and the Shelby Cobra was their desire. Do you really think they would throw something like this away? I hope Shelby doesn’t pi$$ this opportunity away like he did originally with the Cobra. If the Smith Brothers can turn SAI around and they give Shelby a chance to recapture what was being lost under the old management, I see nothing but good things.

Then there is the Series 1, will the Smith Brothers start racing it against Vipers and Vettes? Is it that far fetched? Start winning some titles on Sunday, then sell some cars on Monday. With the right sponsors who knows what can happen? I would love nothing more than to see a real Shelby Series 1 or 2 come onto the scene and take some titles from the big 3. Send them scratching their heads and back to the drawing board to figure out how to beat a Shelby once again.

The old man can go peacefully with a big smile on his face and have even greater respect from his fans and customers. There still has to be a fight left in the old man and instead of trying to use it in the court room, he should use it on his latest design.

Turk · #20 (**permalink**) 05-21-2003, 11:15 PM

Jason,
This wasn't about Smith Brother's love for the car. This is a rumor about a business deal. I don't believe you should be defending Smith brother's intentions in the thread where we have solicited some clarification from the good folks at SAI regarding the rabid rumors going around.

I thought SAI was a privately held company. If it is, how is it that you are privy to if they are in the red or in the black and for how many years.

As for the fight left in the old man, or him going away with a smile on his face.
You are making this sound like a hostile takeover. If it is true, it is merely a busines deal. CNN, AOL, Time-Warner, Disney,ABC etc.do this all the time.

Some work out great, some don't.
Let's hope this is as success story if it comes to pass, not another ENRON.

TURK