Let's use me as an example.
I am not a member of SAAC. Never thought of joining. I've had my Cobra for almost 4 years. Got the new 500 7-8 months ago. So... am i part of the new 'target group' of TEAM SHELBY??
Has SAAC ever needed people like me?? With replicas, and original wannabe's??
Are there absolutely THOUSAND'S like me, who don't care anything about being a member of SAAC?? Is SAAC a dying breed to the 'old school' of Cobra/Shelby mustang collecting?? Isn't that happening across the board with almost all vintage collecting??
I surely can understand Shelby and his family/lawyers/handlers wanting to get ALL his entities under one roof. I don't think this has been handled the best way, but i certainly don't begrudge him/them the task of reeling things in. So SAAC had the licensing agreement. They've been lucky and fortunate to have it. I agree with somebody that posted above, don't remember who, that they've both benefited from each others involvement.
SAAC has in the past (don't know about now) supported and extended the hobby to the masses; Shelby needed them, altho' maybe didn't realize it. SAAC needs Shelby to continue to do the cars, be the legend to perpetuate their existence.
This is an evolving process and probably won't be as big a change as some are prediciting. Change of this magnitude takes a long time to happen.
I for one am not interested in paying dues and belonging to a 'club' that looks down on replicas, that might be elitist. IF the Shelby Team is going to welcome replicas of ANY manufacture, then they might just have something going. I haven't really read anything that says it's open to other Cobra's. Just the continuation, etc???
Just musing here.
I think i'm a pretty good representation of the 'regular joe' that has a replica and just wants to have fun with the zillions other folks with replicas. Organized clubs can really mess things up.
Kristen