Interesting stream of posts.
While Hal says Brent didn't create this thread for our small community to bash each other thats predominately what goes on and has gone on here for years and it is especially vicious towards CSX owners (being me) for "God forbid" defending the car's status as a genuine Cobra. Even our "wonderful" host, Brent has made nasty remarks directed at me regarding the same. Do I care. Nope. He and all the others can Kiss my a$$. All I have done from the beginning was respond with facts not opinions but time and time again my motives and intent was twisted into accusations of saying "mine is better than yours" or " I like other CSX owners have an elitest attitude/superiority complex." What BS. In actuality the guys who made those accusations had the complex, an inferiority complex.
Now what do I see? More and more guys "jumping on the SAI band wagon". More and more guys seem more willing to defend the CSX/SAI from degrading remarks and comments. More and more guys are willing to call the degrading remarks directed at the CSX and SAI for what they really are (in most cases) as sour grapes. Why? Because they now expect to be CSX owners. Why? Because Shelby decided to aggressively compete in the market place by offering a Shelby Cobra, still a genuine Cobra, for the price of a replica.
It is actually comical that now that Shelby has found a way to compete with SPF and ERA in price, the same people who were pissed beyond belief he sued FFR/SPF and felt he should have "just competed in market" are now arguing Shelby is all about greed because he is doing exactly that, aggressively competing in the market. The guy just can't win with a certain group. Who is that group? Mostly guys who don't have Shelbys but probably deep down would rather have one over what they have. Not all but many.
Many argue that Shelby is all about "greed" and thats why he sued FFR/SPF. Many also say that the Cobra wasn't his car which is BULL$HIT! As to the litigation, the court found, at least as to trade dress (body shape) was that he sat on his rights and that the car was not only associated with Shelby but Ford in the publics mind. There is no doubt that had he moved to protect his position years ago he very well may have won especially as to the 427. Others can legally replicate the shape now. But the name and logo are off limits. Only one car can legally be a genuine Cobra. The Shelby.
Originality in design, spec, craftsmanship and heritage and status as a genuine Cobra is what you get when you buy a Shelby. If guys don't like that because it makes it sound like I'm say the Shelby is "better" than your. TS. Then go buy a Shelby.
You want to talk about greed? Ok. Lets talk about companies that copy a car created by someone else, developed by someone else, raced by someone else with years of hard work, sweat, toil, and blood and made into a world champion and performance icon. Then lets say that those companies that copy the shape of the car sell thousands of copies of it and never pay the original creator a dime or from what we know even ask permission to copy the car. These companies who copy the car go on to make millions selling $10K kits and reasonably priced rollers advertising they come in just like the original ready for motor and transmission. Sounds like this could be called greed too. No?
Why is Shelby greedy because it is trying to make a glass CSX to compete in price with a SPF by manufacturing it SA? Is it because he is taking advantage of the cheaper labor rates in SA? If so then SPF is just as greedy since they are practically right next door.
While the replica industry did play a role in helping to keep the Cobra image alive in the public mind lets not give it too much credit either. Fact. The Cobra became a legend in its own time. It was an icon before the replica industry. The Cobra was replicated because it was an icon and a legend and the stuff of dreams. If you disagree then tell me why didn't the replica companies start replicating the Studabaker? Even today many young kids know what a Cobra is. Do you think this because SPF makes replica? Get real. Its because they have read about the Cobra and its history in some automotive journal or magizine. Why do old timers recognize the Cobra? Because FFR makes a replica of it? Yeah right. Because of the Cobras and Carroll Shelby automotive accomplishments. Not SPF or FFR.
For me, and obviously many others in increasing numbers, they have made it clear, that short of an original, owning a continuation series and driving a genuine Shelby Cobra is the "brass ring". If you like what you have and your happy with it fine. Shut the "F" up and don't knock the CSX or attack owners as being elitest because they refer to the car as a genuine or REAL Cobra. If your bitter because you'd really rather have a CSX than again, then shut the "F" up and go buy one.
Why do some question or imply SAI is again going to piss prospective owners off by not delivering cars and taking non refundable deposits. Where do you get such facts? You can't even compare the Series 1 to the Cobra. The Series one was a much more complicated affair. It had to meet DOT/EPA and all other safety regulations. It was far more complicated to build. Shelby has been delivering all other Cobra models on time.
CAV has been manufacturing GT40 replicas. They have been and are selling quite a few. HRE alway has at least two ore three in the shop each time I'm there in the process of being finished for delivery. Maybe the guys looking for CAV in SA aren't going to ther right address because these GT40s just didn't materialize out of thin air.
Quality of the new SA CSX? Billy Andrews from HRE said the car was terrific. He said he spent a long time going all through the car. HRE is top notch. HRE wouldn't sell something that wasn't up to standard.
Many of the "rabid" SPF owners (they have in many cases become worse than some of the FFR owners) have some misplaced allegiance to the "replica" manufacturers. They got their panties all in bunch because Shelby sued FFR/SPF. See above comments.
In the end the real reason alot of SPF guys are "pissed" or looking to raise questions regarding the new SA CSX is because they know when it comes time to sell the ol' SPF it won't bring what it used to. Not when guys can buy a brand new Shelby Cobra with a glass body for $40K. Ouch!
Oh yeah. I'm really a nice guy too. Just tired of the BS.
Threaded Mode
