Shelby Series II coming your way for only $225,000

[1ntCobra]

Basically a supercharged Series I with some upgrades, to be sold as 2007 model year cars. Interesting as I have read "Snake Bit" and know that they got in trouble with the EPA selling Series I cars after 1999. I guess they must have some new certification for emission and safety. Saw all the parts and the assembly area on Sunday at SAAC X.

[Excaliber]

Previously "they" (who ever they are) had a Federal Exemption similiar to what Excalibur Cobras had. In both cases when the exemption ran out, the doors were closed. I wonder who the new "they" are? Tracking Shelby companies is like going on a snipe hunt.

To get 'full blown' Federal approval you have to 'crash test' some cars and jump through some really tough hoops in general. Very tough.

My guess is this yet another exemption, cars might available for a limited time and at best in small numbers.

[1ntCobra]

The guy that I was talking to, said they plan to build the other 250 cars that did not get built. He said that finally tracked down all of the parts for the other 250 cars.

[Excaliber]

That sounds like it's NOT a Shelby enterprise thats going to build them then?

Of course certain marketing rights and licensing aggreements with a Shelby entity would be required for ANYBODY pursuing this endeavor.

Excalibur made about 130-150 cars before the exemption expired. Aurora, also Fed exempt, made just a little over a 100. These exemptions don't last very long! They better hustle! How many Series 1 made it out the door?

[Rick Parker]

Unless they have the certifications and approvals necessary to make and market the cars, they are no better than any one of us attempting or contemplating making a car out of a group of parts, with one exception. They have LOTS of money tied up in parts enough to make MANY cars. But unless they are turned into cars that CAN be marketed by creating an interest and marketing network they will sit and depreciate. Personally I don't think there is enough interest in the finished product with or without a supercharger.

[1ntCobra]

I did not say it was not a Shelby enterprise that was going to build them. The parts and assembly area are in the building next door to the Cobra stuff. Perhaps Shelby has found a new investor. During the Series I, the investor was called something like Venture, but they went bankrupt. The Series I did meet 1999 federal requirements, but not 2000 requirements. However Shelby continued to sell cars after 1999 as 1999 models, sort of as left overs since in theory much of the parts were made during 1999 (which may not have been true). My knowledge of that comes from the "Snake Bit" book, that I read a few months ago, but it is a bit of a fuzzy memory now. From reading the book, I was actually quite suprised about how much engineering was done by the Shelby company. I would have guessed that Oldmobile had a lot to do with the car, but apparently they had little involvement. So I guess they are going to test for meeting 2007 requirements and sell the new cars as 2007 cars.

[1ntCobra]

Something else that I remember from the book was it did not help them selling cars at $175K at the end when there were used ones on the market for a lot less. And now they are going to try to sell 250 more at a higher price.

[Excaliber]

I know they closed because of SOME issue regarding Fed standards. I was pretty sure that was because their exemption ran out, maybe not. It's likely the '99 cars meet SOME Federal standards, like emmissions. Meeting THAT standard left the cars under powered.

Now they gotta meet 2007 standards? Emmission AND crash standards? Whew, thats gonna be an uphill climb without Fed assistance at some level.

Like all things Shelby, it's a slippery slope figuring it out. For instance, even with Excaliburs exemption is STILL met Fed emission standards, it could not meet 'crash standards' (thats what killed it). The poor little Ford 302 loaded up with air pumps, cat converters and emmission fuel injection didn't leave much left for 'performance'. Even with a super charger I won't hold my breath the Series II will be a 'great performer' if it has to meet 2007 emission standards.