Counterfeit cars are an embarrassment part 2

[Dan Semko]

Evan, Evan , Evan,
You poor misguided esquire. Trying to convince cobraphiles who maintain a higher level of testosterone, determination and intelligence than mere mortals, that there is some parallel between law, justice and fairness is like trying to convince the knowledgeable cobra community that you own a "REAL" cobra. You need to escape New Jersey for a vacation. I think it's distorting REALity and embellishing the ill effects of being too close to neighboring Senator Hillary Clinton, but then again, she's an attorney!

[REAL 1]

Dan: Once again you posts do contain a bit of truth. I DEFINITELY NEED A VACATION!

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Evan;

It's not really unfortunate I felt the way I did over there.... I still love real Cobras as well as all replicas... What's unfortunate is the way the SAI people acted and treated the general public...They have a great product and CS behind them to generate publicy,but they need a lesson or two in manners and how to treat other people....

I could care less what they think of me,but if I was in the car selling business,I surely would not snub potential customers...

Back when I was in my later thirties (not really that long ago),we were in the market for a new car and my wife decided she wanted a new Lincoln Town Car.... I took off work early one afternoon to go to the nearest dealer (35 miles away), walked in the showroom with my check book in my pocket with the intention of buying a car right there.... Watched four salesmen watching a ball game on tv while I was standing there. Finally one asked if I needed some help and I told him yes I would like to buy a Town Car today,he then sacastically asked if I was serious,becasue if not, he did not have time to wait on me (Yea right),I looked at a couple of cars and he asked if I planned to finance it thru Ford Motor Credit, I told him no I planned to pay cash right there,he almost burst out laughing,then when I asked the price of a blue one ,he told me if I had to ask the price I could not afford it. With that I left and a week later bought a Town Car from another dealer.. I left the dealer and went straight to the first dealer and asked for the salesman and when he came to the front I told him I needed my windsheild wipers adjusted on my new Town Car and wanted him to take care of it and proceeded to show it to him parked at the front door. He was floored and I then told him what I thought of his attitude and and told his boss about our meeting also, and let him know he was not the only Lincoln dealer in Louisiana.

The moral of the story is you never know who may be a potential customer so treat them all with a little dignity and respect...

David

[Bud Man]

I have bought several major parts (windscreen, fans, etc.)to complete my Kirkham thru Shelby American at their Las Vegas facility over the past few years , and found Bob Marsh and most of his team to be very pleasant and informative.

In 2001, my wife and I went on a SAAC sponsored 3 day cruise to Ensenada. Mr. Shelby was there, and we thoroughly enjoyed his company at several functions. I was surprised, though, with the coolness of several of the members (including some well known officers) toward us when they learned I was completing my Kirkham. I was politely reminded through the trip that it was a "kit car" and not a Shelby. (Knew that already). All happened to be GT 350/500 owners. Interestingly enough, though, the one member on the cruise who owned an original CSX3000 series couldn't have been nicer, and was very interested in discussing technical info about the car with me.

I decided to save my $40.00 dues for other things after that, but I doubt if SAAC will miss me....not with another "kit car" anyway...

Bud

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Bud;

I understand what you are saying. At the factory things may be different,but at SAAC 28 that is how things were.... Interestingly enough,the nicest people I met at SAAC 28 were 2000/3000 series owners..... Alll were more than happy to discuss their cars,let you sit in them and some like our own Jim Maxwell were giving rides in his big block car. It hardly sat still saturday.... The original series owners were very gracious and very nice,I really enjoyed talking to them and hearing some of their stories from days past....

David

[Charlie]

It's funny how Mr. Shelby has changed his attitude toward these replicas of his car over the last 10 years. Right now, I am looking at an article in Nov 1991 Kit Car mag written by Steve Temple, with smiling Carroll standing next to . . . not one, but two of those embarrassments from Contemporary Classic, one a 427 SC and the other a Daytona. According to the article, the replicas were on display there at the San Diego Automotive Museum for Mr. Shelby's induction into the Hall of Fame (that's funny! replicas representing his cars at his induction into the Hall of Fame). When asked if he would mind being photographed with the Cobra replicas, he responded, "Certainly not. Not when they look like this". And there he stands, smiling warmly between the two cars.

I seem to recall that he signed at least one dash of a replica years ago, but I haven't found that article yet. Perhaps one of you guys owns a replica signed by Mr. Shelby. I bet he wouldn't do that today!

Hmmmm . . . you don't suppose money has anything to do with his new attitude toward the replicas, do you?

[XXQQQME]

Hey, if I can drive a Legend for 1/10th the price of a "real" one, why not? My Cobra turned a lot of heads even without paint!!

[REAL 1]

I think his change of heart was a combination of emotion as a reault of his perception of being "slighted" by the replica industry and "business".

In person I can personally say he is a warm, accomodating and charming guy willing to talk with anyone.