Announcement - South Africa CSX4000 Cars

[KeithBrown]

Personally, I think this is great for all of us wannabes. While I can honestly say that if I were to purchase a Al car, it would be a Kirkham.

But, if I were to buy a glass car, up until this new development it would have been an ERA or SPF. Now with this, it would be a Real Shelby. Evan's correct.

Regards,

Keith

[landerson]

What are the relationships between the various Cobra manufacturers? I've seen in a number of postings that SAI is somehow related to Kirkham, and that SPF is somehow related to AC. I also think I saw that AC and SAI are in bed together (sounds like a soap opera, doesn't it?).

Can someone enlighten me, please?

[KeithBrown]

I don't mean to speak FOR Kirkham, but from all I know (which I admit is not comprehensive), Kirkham is a supllier to Shelby, for the Alum bodies. - that's it.

David, Tom, Steve - can answer more fully than I.

Regards,

Keith

[Excaliber]

Dare I comment? Brent help me out if I get it wrong!

SAI buys Kirkham alloy bodies as ONE (perhaps the biggest) source for their cars. There have been other sources for SAI Cobra bodies. Most of the originals were sourced from AC of england. But at least one of the 6 original Coupe bodies was built in Italy.

This is "classic" out sourcing for supplies and materials, has been going on for decades and is highly used in todays market by just about everyone!

Japanese cars built in the USA for instance! Fords built in Mexico. Parts and pieces from all over the world. It's complex, it's buisness as usual!

Ernie

[brentfenimore]

Ernie,

You are correct about the aluminum bodies we purchase from Kirkham, purely a supplier and customer relationship.

All eight Daytona Coupe bodies were built in Italy under a contract with Shelby American, including the Coupe that was built out by AC and the Super Coupe that was started in 1965 but not completed by Shelby American.

Carroll Shelby nor SAI have ever had any relationship with James Price or Superformance and we have no plans whatsoever of ever creating a relationship with him or any of his companies.

As for AC and Shelby who knows what lies ahead, we do not have any type of agreement in place with them at this time.

We are utilizing the outsourcing of components to speciality companies so we can provide the best product available at an affordable price. In todays market place it does not make sense to try to be specialist in all areas of manufacturing.

R Brent Fenimore

[speedraser]

Keith,

Would you take a 'glass SA Shelby over an ERA purely because "it's a Shelby" or because you like the car better? I'm curious because the two cars have very different chassis -- is this a consideration for you?

[rdorman]

The 'next level of excellence' for less. Has me intrigued!
Rick

[pk]

Cobra drivers seem to be split into two groups on chassis.
original and extra crispy (er new and improved).

If you want the best "driving" chassis you're driving a car that many feel doesn't "feel" the way the original did, ergo it doesn't drive like a cobra so it's not really "better" at all.
pk

[Chaplin]

How complete of a roller will it be for 39k? Will it be finished to the same extent of an SPF? If so, SAI will sell a ton of 'em.

[decooney]

Hey Chaplin,
my friend Marc put himself on the list to purchase one while we were Laguna Seca for the Monterey Historics on Saturday. He has less than 30 days to decide to lock in the price. We saw the product sitting there, but this example was not in it's final South Africa form yet.

Here is what he was told about the basic roller for $39.9k by the Shelby sales representative under the tent, from Nevada " "

"
* Comes as a roller
* Includes paint job (limited colors)
* Minus engine/trans
* Includes wiring harness
* Includes radiator, etc.
* other options like transmission, accessories are optional. "

supossedly "just need to just add the engine trans to complete it". I can't confirm if it included wheels and tires or not, but I'm not sure how it would be a roller without wheels and tires.

If you are wondering about your new ERA, don't, I feel that ERAs are an incredible car with incredible build quality. Hard to beat! My bet is my friend will back out on the fiberglass Shelby deal, as he's already talking again about building a radical street/track type JBL (with no authenticity rules) instead. See Ya. Duane

[KeithBrown]

Originally posted by speedraser


Keith,

Would you take a 'glass SA Shelby over an ERA purely because "it's a Shelby" or because you like the car better? I'm curious because the two cars have very different chassis -- is this a consideration for you?

Speedraser,

To try and answer your question, the short answer is a qualified "Yes", if the costs are reasonably close. Why - because it is would be a genuine Shelby. I know very well the chassis differences (I'm a Mechanical Engineer), and the original chassis seemed do do quite well over the years, even without the aid of FEA and modern CAD.

Don't get me wrong, ERA is a first class product and I would be happy with one, but it was the original round tube 1960's Cobra that first got my attention and I guess there is a personal intrinsic value in that design - to me.

That said, of course I would be happy with some modern upgrades like Kirkham does and still the Kirkham product is my # 1 choice/desire.

Regards,

Keith

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by decooney


If you are wondering about your new ERA, don't, I feel that ERAs are an incredible car with incredible build quality. Hard to beat! My bet is my friend will back out on the fiberglass Shelby deal, as he's already talking again about building a radical street/track type JBL (with no authenticity rules) instead. See Ya. Duane [/b]

Duane, don't worry. I am in no way worried about my ERA. I love my ERA. And the only thing that may be better than my ERA is the people at ERA . I would buy another ERA without hesitation. Can you tell I like my ERA?

[stush]

Just got an e mail from Nostalgia Motorcars in SC, offering for 30 days the SAI/CAV roller for 39,995. Then will go up to 42,995. Includes paint(stripes is an option). Less engine, engine mounts, engine coolong system, transmission, shifter, transmission mount, drive shaft, battery, fuel, oil, water.

Stu

[Excaliber]

Well now wait a minute,,,,,,,do the new CAV rollers come with a "cooling system" (that is a RADIATOR, right?) or not?

Seems like some have said YES?

Ernie

[brentfenimore]

The CSX4000 at $39,995.00 comes complete with radiator, coolant tubes, batteries, wheels, tires, paint complete (stripes are optional), interior complete, diff, half shafts, brakes, suspension, 20 gal fuel cell (42 is still an option) and fuel system complete. These cars will be as complete as legally possible when they are deliverd to the customer. I will be working with our sales team to get a more comprehensive list together that we can list on the site to help answers some of your specific questions.

R Brent Fenimore

[KeithBrown]

Thanks Brent for setting us straight. Look forward to learning more.

Regards,

Keith

[CSX 4027]

Sounds like more than a $15,000 savings from doing a Las Vegas car. Talk about end of the summer sale!

[Tom T.]

Steve,

HUGE labor savings, yes? Would like to see one of these things in the flesh before deciding, though.

TT

[pk]

I do think it's a great deal but I've become a bit of a "shape snob" I know it will have the "Shelby squat" but it's not going to be the 4000 glass body which looks right but is asymmetrical. (This new glass body apparently is symmetrical)

I can tell a superformance from 100 yards

It's worth the $3000 (to me) to see it in the flesh.

pk

[Bill Wells]

sure glad i don't own a prior prison car at $15k more...talk about taking a big hit on resale for those guys now that the 'value bar' has just been lowered ! good bye prior owner loyalty . whew. bill.