Mystery solved. Shelby Trust to sell Real Cobras

[kanuck]

Originally Posted by Bernica

One might wonder if this isn't some kind of loophole being used to allow SAI to sell directly to buyers and bypass their dealers once again, like the 50th anniversary editions?

Ding Ding Ding and we have a winner.

Dean

[kanuck]

double post the forum is still not up to speed

[Three Peaks]

Well, SAI does have a lot of lawyers on retainer that don't have much to do these days since the lawsuits have pretty much been shut down. Just one more way to pay their way by inventing new ways to sell cars that bring a premium (and possibly bypass the dealer network)?

Bob

[ACademic]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

A car that won't/can't be driven anywhere?

Rod, you need to stretch your legs a little and come down to So Cal where we still like to burn 112 Sunoco, use all of the remaining water to fill our swimming pools, and point and laugh rudely at the Prius drivers.

Lord knows if I had the means I'd buy a real comp car, make absolutely certain it was still running a high compression race motor in it, fill it judiciously with racing fuel and absolutely terrorize my neighborhood and the surrounding freeways with its presence. And all "legally", as per the existing regs and a middle finger aimed squarely at Sacramento. What a country!

I genuinely hope that this isn't more CS hype and they actually follow through with it. ANY news (like this) within our hobby is ultimately good for the hobby. It brings attention to these cars, which attracts more buyers/enthusiasts, most which ultimately "punt" and buy something far more affordable like the copies we all enjoy. What could be wrong with that?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ACademic

Rod, you need to stretch your legs a little and come down to So Cal where we still like to burn 112 Sunoco, use all of the remaining water to fill our swimming pools, and point and laugh rudely at the Prius drivers.

Lord knows if I had the means I'd buy a real comp car, make absolutely certain it was still running a high compression race motor in it, fill it judiciously with racing fuel and absolutely terrorize my neighborhood and the surrounding freeways with its presence. And all "legally", as per the existing regs and a middle finger aimed squarely at Sacramento. What a country!

I genuinely hope that this isn't more CS hype and they actually follow through with it. ANY news (like this) within our hobby is ultimately good for the hobby. It brings attention to these cars, which attracts more buyers/enthusiasts, most which ultimately "punt" and buy something far more affordable like the copies we all enjoy. What could be wrong with that?

Uh, yea, I don't know what any of this means. Northern California has swimming pools and they're filled with water. And there's a gas station about 10 mins from house that sells Sunoco leaded and unleaded racing gas.

However, if a buyer of a new Shelby/Kikrham Comp Cobra, a car that can't be registered in CA and thus can't be operated legally or "legally" on the streets and highways of CA, but wants to "terrorize" the neighborhood and freeways of CA, then said buyer will likely have their new Shelby/Kirkham Comp Cobra confiscated by the authorities and sold at a government auction. The CA Attorney General's Office does pass by this site occasionally.

As for "stretching my legs", that I do 6-7 days per week. Along with other strenuous exercise.

[Three Peaks]

This brings up a good point. Regardless of the legitimacy of the cars in question, how in the world does anyone determine these will be "race only" cars? What could they possibly do to them to make them unable to register for public use- when scratch built and other types of cars can be readily registered at any time in most states.

The whole story just reeks of BS just like the original story of "completion cars" did and it is a matter of public record what happened the last go-around. These will be newly built cars identical to the "continuation series" but a little race car bling (or lack thereof) with a new name attached to them for gullible buyers to "invest" in.

Bob

[kanuck]

I would feel real secure strapping in those 50 Year old seat belts.

!@#$%^&*

[Anthony]

These cars (topic) keep on coming back, kind of like Herpes. Hmmm. Original article 1992.

NYG, were you even born yet?

With all the hoopla over the years, I would have thought SAI would have just let those frames fade away. I guess not, for obvious reasons.

!0 or so years ago, I was at an English sports car show, looking over a impeccable Autocraft. Two old guys come up beside me, and the one says to me " Huh, this isn't a real cobra, it's a fake; the reals ones were made in the sixties"

I said, "so, do you own an original"

He points to his belt buckle which has a CSX2000 number on it. "yes", he says.

I said "do you still have it?"

He said "no, sold it many years ago".

I said, "well in my book, a fake cobra beats a no cobra any day"

He turned and walked away.

[4pipes]

You two should charge admission to your discussions... They're quite entertaining, if not monotonous.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by 4pipes

You two should charge admission to your discussions... They're quite entertaining, if not monotonous.

I will sell you season tickets for $2500.00

[Bernica]

I will shut up. Sorry to stray....

[David Kirkham]

Guys...it's late. I'll post on this in the morning. These are truly incredible cars. The details are pretty mind blowing.

David

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

Guys...it's late. I'll post on this in the morning. These are truly incredible cars. The details are pretty mind blowing.

David

Looks like some of us, me included, are about to sample some humble pie.

Can't wait to see what the boys from Provo did...

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Looks like some of us, me included, are about to sample some humble pie.

Can't wait to see what the boys from Provo did...

I have no doubt in my mind that anything produced by Kirkham will be nothing less than spectacular.

But, I still find myself skeptical that Shelby will find buyers for 43 Cobras that won't be driven at a track and can't be driven on the street. And I'm also very skeptical that Shelby will be able to source 43 "original" cast iron side-oiler blocks and 43 pairs of "correct" medium-riser heads.

Should be interesting for sure.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

And I'm also very skeptical that Shelby will be able to source 43 "original" cast iron side-oiler blocks and 43 pairs of "correct" medium-riser heads.

Should be interesting for sure.

I would imagine that Shelby Engine Company could just have new blocks and heads cast to the "correct" standards, IF the whole deal were to go that far...

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Bernica

I would imagine that Shelby Engine Company could just have new blocks and heads cast to the "correct" standards, IF the whole deal were to go that far...

That is what the press release says will be done.

[REAL 1]

I have an original cast iron 1965 NASCAR 427 SO, all original FOMOCO heads, intake etc, etc. Maybe they'll make me an offer! I know where some more are too. Good stuff not junk.
Info costs $.

; )

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

I have an original cast iron 1965 NASCAR 427 SO, all original FOMOCO heads, intake etc, etc. Maybe they'll make me an offer! I know where some more are too. Good stuff not junk.
Info costs $.

; )

Shelby usually only deals with douchbags once, is my English ok...

[David Kirkham]

Guys,

Sorry I can't be more detailed in my answer here; we are just too busy. We are going flat out right now. We had a record year and we are completely sold out, as in-- completely, utterly, sold out. I can't deliver anything to a new customer until April 2016--maybe June 2016. I have turned down work all year. That is something we have never done before.

Regarding the CSX3000 "Continuation Cars" (at least that is what I think they are calling them) we have already made one. It was sold before we finished it. Bill DenBeste spared no expense. He wanted everything RIGHT.

Bill gave us a ton of original parts to work with. Bill has a MOUNTAIN of original parts. I have no idea where he got all of them. (Some from Mike McCluskey, some from Shelby, and probably some from God). I mean he has a literal MOUNTAIN of goodies. He has original, copper radiators, original 16 inch steering wheels, original switches--still in the Lucas packages. It is fascinating to walk through his treasure trove. Smaug would be jealous of that hoard. There are parts in there I have never, ever seen before (keep in mind I have been working on Cobras now for over 25 years).

Bill and Joe Conway wanted everything perfectly correct and handed us a chassis, a pile of parts, and told us to go for it. The cars are literally clones of the original Cobras. If you placed one of them beside an original car at a show and you saw some difference I can tell you the error will most likely be with the original car.

Partial list of the specs:
many parts are original--as in I took them out of the original box.
some parts are EXACT reproductions. (And yes, some are Kirkham reproductions made from billet but you'd be very hard pressed to figure out they weren't original). You know, if we got something wrong (probably did) let me know and we will improve! There is an extreme level of commitment here on the part of Bill and Joe.

Goodies include:
original copper radiator
original fuel log
original 1 3/8 roll bar
Lucas switches/electrical
Lucas headlights (still in the box)
original seat tracks
original iron differential
original 1/2 shafts
original 1965 iron side oiler block
original 1965 forged steel 427 crank
Shelby heads (new Shelby heads). I really don't mind they are "new" heads in the slightest--Bill makes really nice stuff.
Top Loader transmission
Original reproduction suspension
solid rotors--like original
Girling reproduction brake calipers (Kirkham billet, you can't tell the difference--they are SWEET pieces made from high heat resistant 2219 aluminum).
original, in the box, voltage regulator
original, in the box, Lucas electrical everywhere
Smith's gauges
Original Lucas wiper motor!!! (Impossible to find)

These are sweet, sweet rides. Really the only "upgrade" we did was with the fuel lines. They are all Teflon lined, braided stainless with stainless fittings. These cars will sit around for a LONG time and rubber hoses are not something I'd put on my ride with all the alcohol in the fuel today. Bill even had the original rubber hoses and fittings!!! I just convinced him to not put them on.

Are they worth it? Some guys hang art in their home. Other guys park Cobras in their living room. I'd love to own one of these. They are all part of the great Shelby story.

I am thrilled to be involved in the project.

David

[Bernica]

WOW!