"Carroll Shelby Speaks Out" Article

[Turk]

My turn.

Evan, if I went to court I would want you as my lawyer for your tenacity. Especially if I wanted to be held in contempt. (joke)!

As a new CSX owner, recently I have had an opportunity to have a little more access to the folks in Las Vegas at SAI. I had the audience of many who work there who wouldn't listen to me in the past, but now do, because I am one of their customers.

I think it can be said without any doubt, had SAI taken a different course they could have been more successful than they are now.

They have more going for them than their competitors, to be on top.

1-They can build one as economically as anyone else.
2-Wages in Las Vegas are not higher but actually lower than they are in CT.
3-Glass and resin does cost the same there, as it does in South Africa.
4-They have prison labor available to them for some of their operations that competitors don't.
5-They have Carroll Shelby who can sign every MSO, every car which gives it far more authenticity than Bob Putnam signing the dashes.
6-They have access to media, others can dream about.
7-They have access to race track that is only stone's throw away from them.
8-They have resident historians,SAAC, drivers, trucks to display, trailers to tow etc. etc.
9-They honestlly have craftsman there who can build anything they want.
10-They have their own engines, heads, and other performance parts.

The mystique of Carroll Shelby and his endorsements can not be easily defeated by others.

If I was given the opportunity to run that operation for a period of 3 years, I promise I could put every replica builder out of business. I would do that not in a court room but in the market place.

The only survivors would be those riding my coat tail because I just couldn't fill all the orders and the back log was too long for some to wait.

They could be price competetive, quality minded with the best of them.
I would do away with the dealers,and make everything factory direct. It works for ERA, FFR etc.

We all know how most of us feel about the litigation. If it wasn't for the ill will created by some wreckless bunch, the desire to own a Shelby Cobra (replica/real don't matter) would be higher than to own a Everett morrison or anything else, ESPECIALLY if the SHELBY was less expensive.

They can build one and sell for less. They chose not to.

The market place is more receptive to fiberglass cars. Aluminum cars are such a small percentage of the total market, I would leave that to Kirkhams and others. 90% or more revolve around glass cars.

They missed their opportunity to be the big bully. They could do it. They still can. Not the way they are going about it though.
You can't speak loud enough for them to do be more successfull. They should be able to do it by themselves.
Better car, cheaper, and authentic too.

Not the people I met, but some in that organization have elected to take the low road.
"If we can put everyone out of business, we could sell more cars!". WRONG.!!

If there were fewer Cobras, fewer Cobras would be sold. It is the constant exposure of such a car what makes it high demand.Not the scarcity of it.

I am as proud to own a CSX car, therefore a piece of fringe history, but history nevertheless.

Carroll will not be around forever. I hope who ever takes the reigns, and decides to take that car into next era (pun intended) has a better feel for what we are about and cater to us rather than to piss us off. That would work a lot better.
Bob Marsh was one such person. he managed to do what others couldn't, wouldn't, diddn't! he sold me a car. There are others like me out there. Unfortunately he does NOT run the entire operation. Carroll does.

Carroll, if you are reading this, consider it a resume and an application for employment.

Another thing, please sign my GASHOLE hat I left there. REALlly!

TURK