Counterfeit cars are an embarrassment part 2 - Page 2

Turk · #1 (**permalink**) 06-24-2003, 09:44 PM

Bandit 1,

It may come as a surprise to you but,
I AGREE.

I think Shelby and some of their own employees have been their worst enemies. With that behaviour they don't need any attacks from outsiders like you and me.

I cringe at some of what I have read in the past few years. Here and elsewhere.

Maybe others will do a better job with that company now that they are going public.

I guess I stick my neck in this from time to time, because it is an awsome car and with some awsome people building them with an awsome legend behind it.It is a shame it has been reprsented by some awfull people for sometime now.

TURK

BANDIT 1 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-24-2003, 10:21 PM

What SIA doesn't realize is that most hot rodder's growing up dreamed about owning a 1966 427 S/C Cobra (for example).

You then grow up and find out you can buy a BRAND NEW(updated frame, etc...) "real" 427 S/C Cobra! Could you imagine a brand new 1969 Mustang Mach 1 (for example), talk about awesome!

The point is, the car is a _uckin' LEGEND, it will sell itself! Why not promote the thicker frame and all of the updated items on the new CSX4000 Cobra's, while at the same time also making sure the possible buyers realize the body is "unchanged" in it's looks.

rdorman · #3 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 06:56 AM

According to Mike, Carroll himself placed the add and 'snuck it in' at the last moment.

I would not put past some one that sells advertising to just run it for the bucks.

SAI's cars are so fine that they speak for themselves. Unfortuniatly others are opening their mouths as well. The SAI employees appear to be echoing Carroll's sentiments. As I have heard many people say, the best thing SAI has going for it is Carroll Shelby, the worst thing is Carroll Shelby.

Turk, if this gets out of hand, SHOOT IT!

Personnally, I want SO BAD to like the guy again. I just have a real tough time admiring some one with such a huge chip on their shoulder. Wouldn't it be nice if there was total truth in advertising and if people would be ethical and sell their product instead of cutting on others products? That goes for everyone, not just SAI.

Rick

bmercer · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 07:36 AM

Rick
I couldn't agree more
Good - "Buy my product because it is better than the others"
Bad - "Buy my product because the others are worse"

Same holds true with politicians - but that's a whole other ball game. (there's lots of good Cobra and Cobra replica builders out there - not sure about the politicians)

Traveller · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 08:32 AM

I was not able to attend this years Shelby Mid America this year but I did go last year.

It was at this event that I had the opportunity to talk with one of SAI's reps about the FANTASTIC aluminium 7000 series that they brought.

I asked the gentelman about the car and he was happy to expound on its virtues. We were standing only a few feet away from a row of cobras from the Texas contingent of Club Cobra members.

As this Shelby employee continued to talk about the build quality and performance of his product he paused, pointed to the row of replicas over his shoulder, and said, "our cars are way better than that fake $hit over there"

A completely unecessary and ingnorant comment on his part.

Turk · #6 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 08:40 AM

Traveller,
Would you happen to remember the representative's name. Was he with the SAI, or one of the dealers?

Those who usually attend events of that significance are NOT just employees, but usually people with positions with the company.
If you don't remember the name, a description would probably narrow it down to who it was that thinks 99% of the Cobra Hobby is nothing but $hit?

It would take someone dumber, blinder, sillier to look at a SPF , Kirkham, ERA and think they are just a bunch of $hitboxes.

If we had his name maybe we could put him to task to expound on his assesment of some of the most beautiful cars on the face of earth.

TURK

Traveller · #7 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 08:54 AM

I have his business card somewhere around the house. I'll look for it when I get home.

He was not a dealer, he was an SAI employee. For those that remember the Mid America 2 years ago, he was the guy who hot lapped the brush finished CSX7000 at Hallet and drove it in the drags on Saturday.

He was a tanned, dark haired fella, medium build.

BANDIT 1 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 09:36 AM

At the Mustang event a couple of years ago, there was the same thing done by the Shelby employee's. Don't get me wrong, if I worked for the lengendary Shelby corporation I would be very "confident" myself. I would however not be a "stuckup a$$hole" and spend 10 minutes calling all of the other companies every name in the book.

What more do you have to say then "we are selling a BRAND NEW 427 S/C Cobra with several modifications (thicker steel, etc...) that looks 100% like the original!" Other than the "worth" of a "original" Cobra, I would much rather have a BRAND NEW 427 S/C Cobra.

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 09:37 AM

Wether it's SAI or any other company, I just hate it when people rag on the competition to promote their product.

Ernie

Turk · #10 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 11:17 AM

Agreed!
1 minute spent talking about the virtues of your own car is more productive than 10 minutes spent on "trying" to tear down the competetion.

TURK

Jamo · #11 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 11:21 AM

Are you still here?

REAL 1 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 02:17 PM

Bandit 1: Great posts.

I think SAI has moved away from the ad complained of.

Dave Semko: The reasons lawyers represent those who may be guilty is that little document known as the Constitution you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A defense attorney's job is not to prove a defendant innocent but to make sure the rules are followed with respect to the states efforts to prove him guilty.

I also wish I were at the Fling. I regret not being there with you guys. Seems like all had a great time and great weather. I have been buried with work. I am going nuts and stressed!

Excaliber · #13 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 04:03 PM

Hi-jack alert!

I've always wondered......

If a defendants lawyer KNOWS the guy is guilty is it "against the law" to allow that Defendant to go on the stand and "proclaim" his innocence?

I assume, for instance, that OJ's lawyers either had to believe he really didn't do it, or simply "refused" to ask that question out of fear that might be, which would complicate his defense.

Then again, OJ never did take the stand in his own defense........

Ernie

Edley Rondinone · #14 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 04:08 PM

I gotta agree with Excalibur and Turk! Tout your own positives! No Mudslinging!! Now, if we could only get this fact out to political campaigns!

PatBuckley · #15 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 04:29 PM

I think if that I was "buried" in work I would forego the forums and get to it!

DAVID GAGNARD · #16 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 06:14 PM

I was at SAAC 28 this year and spent some time around the Shelby trailer and display of cars along with what I assumed to be employees of SIA.I know they were cause they had name tags identifying them as SAI employess... There were also a couple of guys in driving suits that drove some of these cars on the open track event.... I can honestly say they were the most arrogant-stuckup-nose in the air-I'm better than you are-I do not have time for you, people I have ever seen...... I do not think I hardly ever saw them talking to people that were interested in their products,they seemed more intent on being watchdogs so no one could get too close to their displays... I was looking over the all aluminum engine they had on display and a couple of times when I wanted to ask a question or two about it to one of the SAI people,they just walked on by back into their trailer and ignored me...

Great way to sell your product I thought....ignore the public and potential customers.....

On the other hand Carrol Shelby after a couple of autograph sessions came out side in the sun and heat and took photos with any and everybody that wanted one. He surprised me,because he always had a smile on his face and was always accomodating to the public,something I really did not expect from him.

I can not afford a CSX car and probably never will, (but they did not know that), I'm still interested in them and no one would even give me the time of day....

On the other hand,the other displays from other manufacteres was totally opposite of the SAI camp....

David

REAL 1 · #17 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 06:48 PM

Ernie: Very simply an attorney cannot let someone take the stand and testify to things they know are not true. In the majority of cases defendants always proclaim and insist on their innocence to counsel and the world.

In criminal cases its not the defense attorney's job to prove innocence. Its the prosecutions job to prove guilt. In many cases the defendant will not take the stand.

In many cases the "facts" as revealed through discovery encourage discussions of plea bargains. Some cases, however, the facts favor the defense position of "not guilty".

Mr. Buckley: Everyone deserves a little break from the toils of everyday life.

David: I've had the opposite experience with the people at SAI. If they acted like that at SAAC 28 thats their problem, however, could it be you miss read things?

DAVID GAGNARD · #18 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 07:11 PM

Real 1;

As Al would say to Tim Taylor on Tool Time, "I don't think so Tim".... I was around there display Friday and Saturday and things were the same both days...Being a SAAC event I'm sure they figured they "were king of the hill" and probably had the right to feel that way,but being rude to the public is just not a way of making friends or promoting your product...

Maybe at the factory things are different,never been there so I do not know,but from what I saw at SAAC 28,do not know I would want to go there anyway....

On the other hand I spent the better part of an hour speaking with one of their sub-contracters and admiring the "polished" car.. He is the guy or at least one of the guys that installs the enigne and trans. for SAI. Very nice,informative and ready to answer any questions you had... Also gave me some insight into how things are run at SAI,we'll save that for another day though...

Really wish those people were not that way as I would have liked to talk to them about their cars and the all aluminum motor they now build... They had a very nice display of items as well as their cars and there were a lot of people around there at different times..... Evan,sorry they were that way, I do not have a bone to pick with them,just saying what I saw and how things were going at their trailer.....

David

Excaliber · #19 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 07:29 PM

When I was a younger man I went to the Ferrari dealer and got a total "brush off". I asked them about that and they told me straight up, "They can spot who is or isn't a prospective buyer." OK,,maybe they can, but I'm sure they "blow it" sometimes too.

I still like Ferraris, but that little episode was always enough to make me think twice before getting serious about buying one. I have been back to some Ferrari dealers for "revenge" since then. I've managed to talk my way into a "test drive" WITHOUT the salesman coming along and gave their cars a good "thrashing". Knowing full well if I DID buy it would NEVER be from a dealer, screw 'em!

Ernie

REAL 1 · #20 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 07:29 PM

David: I don't question your perception. Its unfortunate that you felt that way. If I were you I would write to Bob Marsh about it. I'm sure he will respond.

If you ever decide to go Shelby give HRE a call. Billy Andrews is great, friendly and very informative and knowledgable.