Cobra's Creator: Carroll Shelby Speaks Out

[Flyin_Freddie]

To clarify my earlier post where I alluded to the current kit car Cobra industry being the real reason for Shelby's popularity... Granted, the originals are indeed desired and sought after collector vehicles - and indeed I'd love to own one or two - but, there were just so few of them made that it's hard to understand someone thinking there's a big after market industry in offering parts for them, etc. Anyway, here's some numbers from the Illustrated Shelby Buyer's Guide, Jay Lamm and Nick Nicaise, Motorbooks International, 1992.

Leaf Spring Cobras: 260's - 75, 289's - 574, Daytona Coupes - 6, TOTAL 655.

King Cobras: Shelby Factory Racers - 5, Privateer - 3, TOTAL 8

Coil-Spring Cobras: 427 Chassis only - 3, 427 type 65 Super Coupe - 1, 427 Street - 292, 427 Competition - 21, 427 S/C - 31, TOTAL 348

So, if you're adding all these up, that's a total of 1,011 Cobra-bodied cars. Figuring some of them are no longer with us due to shunts, wrecks, fire, etc. there's less than 1,000 lucky owners in the world today. Without the kit car/replica industry, where would be vast market for these cars be?

Interestingly enough, I have another book from AC Cars, Ltd, AC Heritage, 90 Years From Three Wheelers to Cobras. This publication states there were 31 427 SC's built by them. So, basically, this tells me - and anyone who can add and read - that Ol'Shel' didn't produce the first 427 SC style bodies, AC did.

So, what was the basis of this suit, anyway? True, Ol'Shel may not be at the root of this suit, as DDS#1 stated, but he DID have the power to stop it...all he had to so was say so, and indeed, his will be done.

Now, before everyone goes and jumps on my case, I do admire and revere Carroll Shelby. Not only for what he did for Ford Racing and for us racing fans, but for giving us a car worth making replicas of... Ever seen a replica - kit car or turn-key - of a '53 Nash Rambler Metropolitan? Ever wonder why...?
But, based on Shel's interview posted above, and other things he has said, as documented on ClubCobra, one wonders why the suit was ever filed.

Carroll, you can't be credible and talk out of both sides of your mouth. You can't say you're flattered by kit car replica's and then go sue the manufacturers. And you'll never have any credibility by signing someone's kit car Cobra dash and then suing the manufacturer of the same kit car! I love what you did, but I certainly don't like the man you've become.

(Editted for typos only...)


[This message has been edited by Flyin_Freddie (edited 01-03-2001).]