rumor control--has SAAC lost its use of Shelby name?

[Durt]

From the lyrics of the Grateful Dead's 'Truckin', "What a long strange trip it's been."
Wow. Close to 20 years ago, I first saw a Cobra replica in Kit Car magazine & totally flipped out. Had to have one, but even replicas weren't cheap - and I certainly didn't have the time or talent to build one. This was what I knew at the time (or heard, or was told, whatever) that good ol' Shel had all but given his blessing to the guys who were building tributes to a car he'd lost interest in decades earlier. Knock yourselves out, fellas. At that time, it was a cottage industry with companies like ERA and Contemporary selling components to home builders for the most part - and as far as I know, nobody was getting filthy rich doing it.
I thought to myself, ol' Shel must be one cool old dude. He's a national treasure, a genuine racing hero, made some of the most iconic cars in American automotive history, has a foundation for sick kids and in his interviews just seemed like the kind of guy you'd like to have a beer & bowl of his signature chili with. I idolized the guy & couldn't wait to join the growing Cobra community.
I finally purchased one of the first examples of this new factory assembled replica from South Africa called Superformance about ten years ago and couldn't wait to meet the Man, shake his hand and show off my beautiful replica of his brainchild. I joined SAAC. I began to educate myself on the history of the originals & got the registry. I bought every book on the subject and all of Dave Friedman's terrific photo collections from the era.
That was then.
I finally "met" Shelby at the Peterson Museum for a gathering of original cars and owners. I'd brought one of Friedman's books to be signed & spotted him getting out of his car in the parking lot. My moment had come, and I was peeing my pants with excitement. "Mister Shelby," I called out. He looked at me and bolted as though I was a leper serving him a summons. Thus began my Shelby learning curve.
I later learned that a Shelby autograph was an industry unto itself, and if I wanted my book signed, I could cue up behing a couple of hundred other folks and get one ... for a "donation." Well - there went that fantasy.
Soon afterward, I started to hear rumors that ol' Shel's non-interest in the replica industry had taken a dramatic 180, and he was not only going to sue Superformance, but that in a worst case scenario, I could actually lose my car. A fellow SPF owner told me that Shelby's only comment about his car at a show was that it was "that company I'm gonna put outta business."
Then, I read in Car and Driver about some outrageous scam involving discovered "original Cobra parts" that were being assembled and marketed as "continuation Cobras" or some such nonsense. Shelby sues Factory Five. Shelby starts taking deposits on Series this and Mark that and CSX whatever cars, all of which fall behind schedules and deadlines and balloon in deposits on a criminal level.
I read on these very pages the desperate pleas of a terminally ill man who just wants to SIT in his car before he dies - a car that is tens of thousands of dollars over cost and years behind in delivery.
I hear that Shelby is going after the Kirkhams. I hear that Shelby is now in bed with Superformance. I hear that the Registry has become more convoluted than a Rubik's Cube. Every English dictionary has been recalled to re-define the word "original," and the name Shelby has created as much harmony on these boards as a jug of moonshine at a Hatfields & McCoys family dinner.
Whew.
And today ... I get The Letter from SAAC. The holiest of the holy keepers of the Shelby legacy, the most meticulously honorable car club on the face of the earth, the most important torch-bearers of this mean old son of a *****'s automotive history has been asked, very politely, to ... um .... what's a nice way to put it? There is no nice way to put it.
With no reason given, these archivists and huge fans have been told to shut it all down, stop using his name and image and hand over everything they've done on Shelby's behalf for 30 years - and have a nice day.
I'm afraid this is the deal killer for me & ol' Shel. I want my emotional investment back. I'll keep my beer & you can keep your chili.
I have no idea what's behind this, but as they say, high tide rises all boats. That tide goes both ways. All you "haves" out there should be mighty nervous at the prospect of the tide being Carroll Shelby. The only thing on earth shadier than the Redwood Forest wants total control of the Shelby historical archives, and the last thing I would want is my investment OF him handled BY him.
Words cannot describe my disappointment in having what I once considered a congenial and incredibly exciting hobby turn into something that makes me feel in need of a shower.
Best of luck to the SAAC guys in their fight to save Shelby from himself.
All of these accounts and opinions are my own. Fire away.

At the top of my forum reads this prompt:

"Hello Durt it appears that you have not posted on our forums in several weeks, why not take a few moments to ask a question, help provide a solution or just engage in a conversation with another member in any one of our forums?"

Be careful what you wish for.

[mtml427]

While I have not read all the postings on this thread, it seems to me that there is usually an alternative to any situation. Is it possible that Ford Motor Company could be approached to gain authorization for the Cobra name in the spirit of elevating new cars sales via a corporation interested in giving back to a community that has been and continues to be promoters of the Ford name and product?
Shelby should be on top of the world knowing the best form of compliment is replication. To be able to recreate your own creation and have it be well received and have clubs that honor you is even a bigger compliment.
I have a ninety three year old neighbor that has little but a truly big heart. He is vibrant and friendly. Every day he rides his bike to the Post Office and loves the opportunity to talk with the neighbors. He may not be on par with Shelby but is an icon in his own right. His name is Jack Hagamann. Maybe Shelby should give Jack a call. Memories are what survives us all. They may as well be good ones.

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by mtml427

While I have not read all the postings on this thread, it seems to me that there is usually an alternative to any situation. Is it possible that Ford Motor Company could be approached to gain authorization for the Cobra name in the spirit of elevating new cars sales via a corporation interested in giving back to a community that has been and continues to be promoters of the Ford name and product?

I would not be looking towards Ford for much help. Remember a couple of years ago when they told the aftermarket suppliers of Mustang parts that they could no longer use the name Mustang as part of their co. name.
Ford has never been friendly towards the performance community. Oh yea a couple of years when former GM execs went to work for Ford did we get any kind of performance vehicles. Remember the Mustang came about because Iaccoca was pres. (he got fired). From time to time Ford has given us a performance vehicle but genarally they have always catered to the upper end collector with their limited edition(over priced and generally underpowered supercars) The one reason the General dominates the performance world is because they have always made their high performance cars available to anybody with a job.
Right now go to any open track event and you will find a dozen or so Zo6's and rarely a Ford GT. I guess Chevy guys are more go than show.
The only exceptopn today is the 5.0 Mustang crowd and the only reason for their success is the huge aftermarket ,not because Ford is supplying racing parts.(the Ford stuff is just not as good)

And just why does Ford Charge $9K for a crate motor and the General $4.9k for the same 385HP but a forged crank, 4 bolt block?

Ford cares about selling trucks, not the performmance industry or Car clubs.

[griffin289trips]

Iv'e been reading the many different opinions and possibilities of the future of SAAC anf the new Shelby Club. I guess like everything in life change is inevitable. I dropped out of SAAC in the mid 90's as I felt the the club was more interested in maximizing profit instead of a balanced club that satisfys the majority of members whishes. I realize that it is impossible to keep all members in a state of eternal hapiness but compared to the early years the clubs fun factor , not to mention the atitudes of the heirarchy was in a state of arogance that had no time for the commoner. Yes the club provided some incredible conventions but compared to my first few conventions, Hershy 77, Downingtown 79, Dearborne 80 up until the late eighties or early 90's the true essence and closeness every one felt started to slowly diminish.
The first time I ever saw Carroll Shelby was at the 83 Dearborne convention, after getting his autograph on my owners manual, at no charge, I was on a natural high for a week. At this point car and parts prices were affordable to most people with a sincere desire to own a Shelby.
After the SAAC started reducing the number of SHELBY AMERICANS and suplementing the snakebite newsletters, which used to be included in the Bi-monthly Shelby Americans, many members were starting to feel that the club management were more interested in the bottom line instead of running a club that had a place for the majority of members. Any critisism of the new changes were either ignored or told that they were not being forced to stay with the club. Anyway it seemed that things got worse as time went on.
In defense of the SAAC management I guess it's easy to point your finger and complain about the direction and attitude they seemed to have evolved into. In reality there are only a few clubs that offer open tracks, regional clubs tied in to a major national club and all the perks that most club members took for granted not realizing that most car clubs don't even come close to the SAAC.
Most long term members saw the club as if it was in a decline. Me included. Since this new development with Shelby's new club I starting to see SAAC in a new light. Of course there were issues as not everyone was happy with but in the long run SAAC added a real genuine spice to a lot of peoples lives that the Shelby Club provided for a very nominal fee, all things consisdered. Not to mention the increase in values of Shelbys. I attended the 06 VIR convention and had the time of my life.
Well I don't know where all this is headed but I feel that SAAC should maintaine control of the original Shelbys as they have the most experience and know the ins and outs better than most. The new Shelby club would be more intune to the new Shelby Mustangs.
I can't imagine a Shelby National Convention with new and old Shelbys and the crowds. Next years convention should be facinating to see. Will there be new and old all mixed together, can it even be organized in a way that will satisfy most members.
I normally don't add much to the forum but couldn't help it after going through the thousands of pictures of all the various regional and national Shelby shows. SAAC has truly added a real natural high that would never had been experienced without Carroll Shelby and SAAC. Overall taking the good with the bad the priceless memories and the new friends made with the same passion, complaining about some imperfections seems so trivial.
The bottom line is if Carroll Shelby didn't make the Cobra and Shelby Mustang in the sixties our lives would have had a much more mundane existance. He started it all and I hope all parties will overcome their petty problems and move on to a cordial existance that benifits all parties.
Thanks Carroll, Bob

[RodKnock]

JBo, good stuff, I had a good laugh at your line.

I don't understand what "pie" SAAC and Team Shelby are splitting up. I assume SAAC made a little money with the registry, events and the $40 annual fee because they cared, but Team Shelby at $49.95? We're not talking about minting Google or Baidu millionaires and billionaires. It's really nice to protect your brand and everything, but gee whiz, Shelby is going after small potatoes. We're not talking Apple Computer versus the old Beatles label Apple.

[David Kirkham]

shelby racer,

I would add "mountain climbing" to your signature line.

David

[shelby racer]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

shelby racer,

I would add "mountain climbing" to your signature line.

David

Hey David - thanks again to the care and support that I have received from your company even though i have only ever bought a $10 billet throttle return spring bracket (mighty nice one at that). As far as my signature line, it is something that Hemmingway supposedly said. I can not tell whether the quote is accurate or not, but you are probably right that mountain climbing should be included.
John(;-)

[Tom Kirkham]

Originally Posted by shelby racer

As far as my signature line, it is something that Hemmingway supposedly said. I can not tell whether the quote is accurate or not, but you are probably right that mountain climbing should be included.
John(;-)

http://www.theknese.com/pages/Hemingway.php#update

[shelby racer]

Thanks

[nikbj68]

Well, I think it`s nice that with ALL this going on, Shelby still think of The SAAC as part of "The Shelby Family"

[C5HM]

I've been reading this thread with interest after seeing a link to it from the Boss 302 Forum. And what I've been reading about old man Shelby's latest money grab is more than a little distressing for a life long Ford fan like myself. It is just about the last straw for this Ford guy. I've been into Ford high performance just about all of my life. And that's a long time. My first new car was the first 302 powered Maverick available in Central Florida that I bought from Johnny Bolton Ford (nominal sponsor of Walt Hane's '66 B/P winning R Model BTW) in 1971 (---because as an 18 year old slaving at $1.35 an hour at McDonalds, I couldn't afford a new Boss). As things turned out, Ford walked away almost completely from all things high performance the very next year. Old man Shelby was off in Africa. Those were dark days for anyone interested in Blue Oval performance and junk yard shopping was required if you wanted to go fast. Even the Ford based NASCAR teams had to frequent scrap yards--or go to Australia--for replacement parts, Ford and Shelby were out of the performance busines and couldn't have cared less about Fomoco high performance enthusiasts. National newsstand magazine offered endless articles about small block Chevrolet engines and just about nothing about Ford performance or history. Slowly "mom and pop" operations started to surface that serviced Ford enthusiasts' needs and folks like Rick Kopec, Austin Craig and Jimmy Wicks began to organize clubs to help preserve Ford racing history. As a yountg enthusiast I hung around folks with REAL Cobras (that actually got driven both on the street and the SCCA Florida State championships), first generation Shelby Mustangs and Boss cars of all stripes. I joined SAAC back in the day not because I owned a Cobra ( couldn't fit, actually) but just because of what the club was doing with Ford high performance (when absolutely NO ONE ELSE cared a whit. I've been a member since just after the club got started. Over the years, I've owned Boss 302s, a Talladega, CJ Mustangs, block long '72 LTDs, Cougars, Marauders, Broncos, F-150s and Explorers and a number of old Ford powered Grand National cars. I even built a Pinto powered Sunbeam Alpine Mk IV and suprised more than a few sporty cars owners with it at the auto cross. I've done just about eveything that can be done in the Ford performance world that I could as an enthusiast. I was very happy when Ford decided to get "re-interested" in high performance in the eighties. I've remained a FORD guy all theses years.
But perhaps no longer.
I've been becoming increasingly incensed at Ford's recent attempt to try to shake down the vendors who supply the hobby. While Ford couldn't be botherd to manufacture even an emblem or two for restorers in the late 70s, 80s and 90s, the corporation now thinks it is fine and dandy to threaten mom and pop types with major litigation if they don't pay up---sometimes for things that aren't even copy-right protected. Don Corleone would be proud. Shelby also turned his back on Ford folks in favor a front wheel drive econo-boxes. Sure, he showed up at the annual SAAC conventions to be adored (not bad work if you can get it). But besides that, he did zip, zero and nada for Ford enthusiasts. And don't even get me started about the "left over" Cobra frames that Shelby "found" in a California warehouse. In certain circles that kind of discovery can be called FRAUD. It was nothing less than naked greed and an attempt to put one over on the credulous. And then there is the recent fleecing of the folks who paid really stupid money for a certain run of puerile movie car replica Mustangs (I just can't bring myself to call them "Shelbys")---all with good ole' CS's blessing. After all, his only concern is for the SHELBY enthusiasts---right??? Isn't that the buncum that certain self interested types have been trying to sell here? No sale.
And now that avaricious old (well---you fill in the blank) Shelby has the stones to cut ties with the club that has MADE him what he is today (an icon as opposed to a broken down old has-been racer and corporate front man from the 50s and 60s). And I mean what I say. Shelby American with Shelby (as a front man for Shelby American ) accomplished a lot. But Shelby didn't do it (or even most of "it")alone. Shelby didn't turn the wrenches or design the cars. Look to folks like Ken Miles and Pete Brock (designer of the Daytona Coupe whom CS recently tried to prevent from reprising-----all in the name of the enthisiasts---right??). Frankly, without the constant laving applied by Kopec and crew these past 30+ years, who the hell would remember the old man? Stop and think about it---did Ralph Moody (a far greater influence on Ford racing than Shelby on balance) ever have a fan club? Hell no! Ralph died in relative anonimity several years back. Jack Roush has won far more races and titles than Shelby for Ford, too. But it's doubtful that 30 years hence we will be going to RAAC conventions, isn't it? So , now in the twilight of his years, Shelby has surrounded himself with toadies and Johnny come lately types and decided to shake down the clueless folks who are willing to pay thousands over sticker for the tarted up secretary's cars that the new mass produced Mustangs have become. And in that effort, his parasites have told him that he ought to cut out the fellows who MADE his legend (in the same way that Jackie "O" nurtured JFK's after his death). I've even heard that the old man has told Jimmy Wicks and other long time Shelby show promoters that the precious "Shelby" name can't be used to promote their shows any longer (I assume without ponying up some money for the privilege) To be fair, that may just be a rumor. But the deal with SAAC is all too real. Shelby seems (through his actions and the words of his mouth pieces) to be oblivious to the tremendous back-lash that his ill considered actions are going to cause. Sure, maybe the younger folks who recognize his name (THANKS TO SAAC in large measure) may still want to buy new "Shelby" MASS PRODUCED Mustangs (then again, maybe not---they are going wanting or for MSRP here in SE TX). But those folks maybe but one car purchase away from the next flavor of the month trendy car.
To all of this, I say to Hell with Shelby and to Hell with the Ford Motor Company.
The new cars I will be buying down the road won't be Ford brands. And they sure as HELL won't be "Shelbys" (even when the thousands upon thousands built of those new "limited production cars" start showing up in the auto trader). And I won't be putting one more penny in Ford or Shelby's pocket. But I will continue to pay my SAAC dues. When Shelby inevitably takes the dirt nap (he's no spring chicken), one has to wonder what the parasites he's surrounding himself with now will be doing? I DOUBT that it will be promoting Shelby events or preserving Ford performance history. Nope, not likely. They'll hop on to the next passing host and leave you true blue Ford guys in the dust. (I'll be driving my Z06 by then). Who knows, maybe Hot Wheels will still be hiring (say, come to think of it, isn't a GT500E really just a Hot Wheel writ large?). It will be up to Kopec, Wicks and Tony Branda and the like to keep the flame burning then---perhaps after FOMOCO has been bought by Toyota.

[bret a ewing]

Originally Posted by C5HM

I've been reading this thread with interest after seeing a link to it from the Boss 302 Forum. And what I've been reading about old man Shelby's latest money grab is more than a little distressing for a life long Ford fan like myself. It is just about the last straw for this Ford guy. I've been into Ford high performance just about all of my life. And that's a long time. My first new car was the first 302 powered Maverick available in Central Florida that I bought from Johnny Bolton Ford (nominal sponsor of Walt Hane's '66 B/P winning R Model BTW) in 1971 (---because as an 18 year old slaving at $1.35 an hour at McDonalds, I couldn't afford a new Boss). As things turned out, Ford walked away almost completely from all things high performance the very next year. Old man Shelby was off in Africa. Those were dark days for anyone interested in Blue Oval performance and junk yard shopping was required if you wanted to go fast. Even the Ford based NASCAR teams had to frequent scrap yards--or go to Australia--for replacement parts, Ford and Shelby were out of the performance busines and couldn't have cared less about Fomoco high performance enthusiasts. National newsstand magazine offered endless articles about small block Chevrolet engines and just about nothing about Ford performance or history. Slowly "mom and pop" operations started to surface that serviced Ford enthusiasts' needs and folks like Rick Kopec, Austin Craig and Jimmy Wicks began to organize clubs to help preserve Ford racing history. As a yountg enthusiast I hung around folks with REAL Cobras (that actually got driven both on the street and the SCCA Florida State championships), first generation Shelby Mustangs and Boss cars of all stripes. I joined SAAC back in the day not because I owned a Cobra ( couldn't fit, actually) but just because of what the club was doing with Ford high performance (when absolutely NO ONE ELSE cared a whit. I've been a member since just after the club got started. Over the years, I've owned Boss 302s, a Talladega, CJ Mustangs, block long '72 LTDs, Cougars, Marauders, Broncos, F-150s and Explorers and a number of old Ford powered Grand National cars. I even built a Pinto powered Sunbeam Alpine Mk IV and suprised more than a few sporty cars owners with it at the auto cross. I've done just about eveything that can be done in the Ford performance world that I could as an enthusiast. I was very happy when Ford decided to get "re-interested" in high performance in the eighties. I've remained a FORD guy all theses years.
But perhaps no longer.
I've been becoming increasingly incensed at Ford's recent attempt to try to shake down the vendors who supply the hobby. While Ford couldn't be botherd to manufacture even an emblem or two for restorers in the late 70s, 80s and 90s, the corporation now thinks it is fine and dandy to threaten mom and pop types with major litigation if they don't pay up---sometimes for things that aren't even copy-right protected. Don Corleone would be proud. Shelby also turned his back on Ford folks in favor a front wheel drive econo-boxes. Sure, he showed up at the annual SAAC conventions to be adored (not bad work if you can get it). But besides that, he did zip, zero and nada for Ford enthusiasts. And don't even get me started about the "left over" Cobra frames that Shelby "found" in a California warehouse. In certain circles that kind of discovery can be called FRAUD. It was nothing less than naked greed and an attempt to put one over on the credulous. And then there is the recent fleecing of the folks who paid really stupid money for a certain run of puerile movie car replica Mustangs (I just can't bring myself to call them "Shelbys")---all with good ole' CS's blessing. After all, his only concern is for the SHELBY enthusiasts---right??? Isn't that the buncum that certain self interested types have been trying to sell here? No sale.
And now that avaricious old (well---you fill in the blank) Shelby has the stones to cut ties with the club that has MADE him what he is today (an icon as opposed to a broken down old has-been racer and corporate front man from the 50s and 60s). And I mean what I say. Shelby American with Shelby (as a front man for Shelby American ) accomplished a lot. But Shelby didn't do it (or even most of "it")alone. Shelby didn't turn the wrenches or design the cars. Look to folks like Ken Miles and Pete Brock (designer of the Daytona Coupe whom CS recently tried to prevent from reprising-----all in the name of the enthisiasts---right??). Frankly, without the constant laving applied by Kopec and crew these past 30+ years, who the hell would remember the old man? Stop and think about it---did Ralph Moody (a far greater influence on Ford racing than Shelby on balance) ever have a fan club? Hell no! Ralph died in relative anonimity several years back. Jack Roush has won far more races and titles than Shelby for Ford, too. But it's doubtful that 30 years hence we will be going to RAAC conventions, isn't it? So , now in the twilight of his years, Shelby has surrounded himself with toadies and Johnny come lately types and decided to shake down the clueless folks who are willing to pay thousands over sticker for the tarted up secretary's cars that the new mass produced Mustangs have become. And in that effort, his parasites have told him that he ought to cut out the fellows who MADE his legend (in the same way that Jackie "O" nurtured JFK's after his death). I've even heard that the old man has told Jimmy Wicks and other long time Shelby show promoters that the precious "Shelby" name can't be used to promote their shows any longer (I assume without ponying up some money for the privilege) To be fair, that may just be a rumor. But the deal with SAAC is all too real. Shelby seems (through his actions and the words of his mouth pieces) to be oblivious to the tremendous back-lash that his ill considered actions are going to cause. Sure, maybe the younger folks who recognize his name (THANKS TO SAAC in large measure) may still want to buy new "Shelby" MASS PRODUCED Mustangs (then again, maybe not---they are going wanting or for MSRP here in SE TX). But those folks maybe but one car purchase away from the next flavor of the month trendy car.
To all of this, I say to Hell with Shelby and to Hell with the Ford Motor Company.
The new cars I will be buying down the road won't be Ford brands. And they sure as HELL won't be "Shelbys" (even when the thousands upon thousands built of those new "limited production cars" start showing up in the auto trader). And I won't be putting one more penny in Ford or Shelby's pocket. But I will continue to pay my SAAC dues. When Shelby inevitably takes the dirt nap (he's no spring chicken), one has to wonder what the parasites he's surrounding himself with now will be doing? I DOUBT that it will be promoting Shelby events or preserving Ford performance history. Nope, not likely. They'll hop on to the next passing host and leave you true blue Ford guys in the dust. (I'll be driving my Z06 by then). Who knows, maybe Hot Wheels will still be hiring (say, come to think of it, isn't a GT500E really just a Hot Wheel writ large?). It will be up to Kopec, Wicks and Tony Branda and the like to keep the flame burning then---perhaps after FOMOCO has been bought by Toyota.

Not that I agree or dissagree, I found this an interesting read. Good story.

The flaming rant section could have been toned down, but I guess he is a passionate guy.

[SFM5S159]

Off all the 500+ posts made here, including a couple be me, Griffiin289trips (#496)and C5HM (499) are two of the best. Well said.
The more I think about it the more I start to like 'ol Shelby less and less.
I hate to say it, but if you filter through the crap and start to drill down on the bottom line-no pun intended-it seems that greed and control play a big part in the decsion making. But then again it is not a business for most if us, but a hobby and a passion.
MC

[Igofastr]

C5HM,

A-FREAKIN-MEN.

Excellent post, including the "rant."

[Dan Stryffeler]

C5HM,

I don't know the man (Shelby) never met him, never spoke with him, but in all the interviews I've read he goes out of his way to credit all the people that helped design, build, and race the cars that bear his name.

I've also read his quote repeatedly that all he ever wanted to do was go racing, and that building street machines was the only way to support the effort (given the relatively little demand for full out race cars, that's how we ended up with the 427SC).

Given that there was little interest in worn out, uncompetitive race cars, and vintage racing had not come along, why should he or Ford support them - it was time to move on to the next generation of cars.

Same thing with going to Dodge... Iacoca had helped him out at Ford, and now he needed help at Dodge so Shelby came on board to work on those econoboxes (which are in many ways a forerunner to todays tuner cars).

I don't know that Shelby owes his ongoing success to SAAC, it would seem that there are plenty of us that wanted one of his cars growing up but couldn't afford it, but maybe can now; whether it's a new Cobra, new Shelby Mustang or one of the original run of cars.

- Dan

[CHANMADD]

Well.... Not wanting to take sides but .. If "you" had painted the "Mona Lisa"and a few years later everyone started copying and selling prints of it... what would you do???

[jmimac351]

Originally Posted by CHANMADD

Well.... Not wanting to take sides but .. If "you" had painted the "Mona Lisa"and a few years later everyone started copying and selling prints of it... what would you do???

Do you know James Carville? He and CNN tried something similar to this with the Republican post debate wrap-up.

[computerworks]

...I'd sell shirts

[shelby racer]

While I would NEVER claim to know Carroll Shelby personally even though I have met and talked with him a few times, having talked with some of the people who used to work for him in the day, they all seem to still like him. I don't know if he started the Donkey Fund, but I have heard that he has been the MAJOR contributor to it. His business practices may seem less than kind at times but who has not gotten frustrated and gotten a wild hair. I have also HEARD stories regarding some of his less than above board practices, but what I know is all hear say so I feel that I should neither defend nor defame the man. I have a feeling that this fight is going to turn out like my knife fighting instructor describes a knife fight - "winners ooze and loser gush".

[venomous67]

Originally Posted by shelby racer

I don't know if he started the Donkey Fund, but I have heard that he has been the MAJOR contributor to it.

Bob Shaw started the Donkey Fund after he saw how bad off a bunch of these guys were during the employee reunions he organized. As far as being a major contributor to it, not sure. But I do know that for the big Shelby tribute event just recently held at the Petersen, Shelby wouldn't cough up any $ for a bunch of the old employees that couldn't afford the $125 ticket. Instead, the Donkey Fund paid their way.