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

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by Wayne Maybury

By the way, can someone tell me what the difference is between a 2008 Mustang GT and a 2008 Shelby Mustang? Is this just cosmetic (stripes & stickers), or are there significant mechanical differences? Do they all come out of a Ford plant or do they go to Shelby for the upgrades like back in the 60s?

Wayne

The newgen GT500 is a Ford-produced vehicle, sold to the dealer from Ford as a new model.
The Shelby GT (called SGT) is a vehicle OEM'd to Shelby Autos, where it is completed and finished with performance, handling and trim customizations.
...this is the one that is most like the old days.

That is the same way they did it with the newgen GT-H for Hertz.

A third permutation is now on the scene...where the customer buys the GT500 from the dealer himself...then send it to SA or an authorized local "mod shop" and has it converted into a GT500SS (SuperSnake) or a GT500KR edition. That is a hybrid of the two above examples.

As an aside, perhaps the funniest bit of irony is that what permeates the new Team Shelby forum is an on-going conflict between the GT500 owners and the SGT owners as to who has the "more real" car.

...some things will never change.

[JWheaton]

Originally Posted by computerworks

The newgen GT500 is a Ford-produced vehicle, sold to the dealer from Ford as a new model.
The Shelby GT (called SGT) is a vehicle OEM'd to Shelby Autos, where it is completed and finished with performance, handling and trim customizations.
...this is the one that is most like the old days.

That is the same way they did it with the newgen GT-H for Hertz.

A third permutation is now on the scene...where the customer buys the GT500 from the dealer himself...then send it to SA or an authorized local "mod shop" and has it converted into a GT500SS (SuperSnake) or a GT500KR edition. That is a hybrid of the two above examples.

As an aside, perhaps the funniest bit of irony is that what permeates the new Team Shelby forum is an on-going conflict between the GT500 owners and the SGT owners as to who has the "more real" car.

...some things will never change.

That is funny.

Both the Shelby GT and the pre modified GT500 do have the Shelby lettering. I think that the only thing the "have nots" have is an extra 200 HP.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by computerworks

The newgen GT500 is a Ford-produced vehicle, sold to the dealer from Ford as a new model.
The Shelby GT (called SGT) is a vehicle OEM'd to Shelby Autos, where it is completed and finished with performance, handling and trim customizations.
...this is the one that is most like the old days.

That is the same way they did it with the newgen GT-H for Hertz.

A third permutation is now on the scene...where the customer buys the GT500 from the dealer himself...then send it to SA or an authorized local "mod shop" and has it converted into a GT500SS (SuperSnake) or a GT500KR edition. That is a hybrid of the two above examples.

As an aside, perhaps the funniest bit of irony is that what permeates the new Team Shelby forum is an on-going conflict between the GT500 owners and the SGT owners as to who has the "more real" car.

...some things will never change.

I think the GT500KR is a Ford product as well, but I think I saw something about a 40th anniversary edition GT500KR, maybe the anniversary edition is a hybrid too.

[imagine2frolic]

Different age group? They probably don't listen to the Beatles either! Possibly they don't even know who they are?

[427sharpe]

Hmmmm...
I think the car devaluation is a valid concern, long term. CS has shown an absolute willingness to 'mold' the truth to make a sale. Certainly the 'lost' chassis verify that. In reading the Cummings letter it appears CS is asking for all the paperwork SAAC has, including the holy grail, texts of the VIN/SFM# correlations. IF Cs gets these in his hands, what will become of them? Will you have to pay to validate your car? Will chassis appear in a warehouse from magic dust? What of the Cobra information? I have to ask if any of us believe that CS would have hesitated a nano-second to install his 30 or so 'lost chassis' as 'original'. Bottom line, what affect would snake oil have on the purity (even if perceived) of the registry? If CS's designs are pure of heart, why file to TM 'SAAC' before the cease and desist letter? And if SAAC is to function, how can they without all of the supposed TM's referred to by CS (Cobra,GT350,GT500,etc...)? As Ron said, we all will have to take a seat and wait for the outcome, but anyone who thinks the fall of SAAC would be a ripple in the water is, IMHO, a friggin' idiot.

[Curt C.]

Well that sure makes things much clearer doesn't. It is not just about the name as earlier speculated. It is simply about money and control. Not my words but Shelby's. Geeessshhh

[Durt]

SAAC doesn't make any money relatively speaking. This is like a deadbeat dad who suddenly has an interest in his abandoned children - especially if one of the children won the lottery.

[Curt C.]

Hehe. I guess he is not happy with the liscensing agreement his lawyers drafted? Maybe SAAC is worth millions and just hiding it from him?

[Durt]

That's a lot of t-shirts.

[CSX 4039]

"I'm tired of them," Shelby says. "I want the registrations and the records under my control. They've made a lot of money but never counted me in on anything. I don't want my legacy to go down under their thumbprints."

His legacy would be better served under SAAC's thumbprint, that's for sure. At some point, one needs to consider not just SAAC taking care of his legacy, put putting his whole company under guardianship. He sounds borderline incompetent, at least to me. Except that he's basically been like that his whole life? You know, anti-rejection meds are brutal. Maybe they've taken their toll.

[Excaliber]

It's been pretty clear to me, the last many many pages, and I've said so, this is 'personal' with Shelby himself. He didn't consult with top aids, never told Amy, he simply contacted his lawyer and had them fire off a letter and file for the SAAC name BEFORE doing that! His latest statement confirms that. I still don't think it's about the 'money', thats a smoke screen. It's about power, control and what he feels is his legacy. Which in my opinion he's only screwing up, and has been for awhile!

[Badger]

Pete DeLorenzo's devastating column on the subject of Ol' Shel' in today's www.AutoExtremist.com is particularly insightful; especially so, if you've been around these cars for a few years. Badger

[Excaliber]

Well Peters review, quite good, DOES say it's all about the money. Maybe, my opinion still stands, it's about 'power' and 'control', the money will come in when he charges people through the nose to document their car! But I believe it's secondary. The money is what he will use to justify the take over of SAAC, but it's not the 'real' reason.

[imagine2frolic]

I cannot find the YOU TUBE interview with the lady. Shelby says he is willing to fight for 15cents although he has made his money. I think it was posted last week. Right out of the old man's mouth himself!

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

I cannot find the YOU TUBE interview with the lady. Shelby says he is willing to fight for 15cents although he has made his money. I think it was posted last week. Right out of the old man's mouth himself!

I could be wrong, but when I watched that video, I don't think that's what he said. I think he was talking about growing up during the depression, where people fought over 15 cents.

Edit: just rewatched it. What he said was "growing up in the depression was tough. And now, that you make a little money, you may go and poof off a bunch of money, and you still get in a fistfight over 15 cents."

[clayfoushee]

Agreed Badger (thanks for posting it) and Ernie...........that was a well-done article by Peter.

[Paul F]

Not clear if he still owns it, but as of 9/11 he did. Give him a call. Here's the data from the trademark office:

Thank you for your request. Here are the latest results from the TARR web server.

This page was generated by the TARR system on 2007-12-05 20:39:45 ET

Serial Number: 77099454 Assignment Information Trademark Document Retrieval

Registration Number: (NOT AVAILABLE)

Mark


(words only): SHELBY AMERICAN

Standard Character claim: Yes

Current Status: Opposition period completed, a Notice of Allowance has been issued.

Date of Status: 2007-09-11

Filing Date: 2007-02-05

Filed as TEAS Plus Application: Yes

Currently TEAS Plus Application: Yes

The Notice of Allowance Date is: 2007-09-11

Transformed into a National Application: No

Registration Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)

Register: Principal

Law Office Assigned: LAW OFFICE 104

Attorney Assigned:
SPILS CAROL A Employee Location

Current Location: 700 -Intent To Use Section

Date In Location: 2007-09-11


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LAST APPLICANT(S)/OWNER(S) OF RECORD

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. CARROLL HALL SHELBY TRUST

Composed Of:
CARROLL HALL SHELBY, SOLE TRUSTEE, US CITIZEN
Address:
CARROLL HALL SHELBY TRUST
SUITE 1050` 11150 WEST OLYMPIC BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA 900641817
United States
Legal Entity Type: Trust
State or Country Where Organized: Texas
Phone Number: (310) 540-5631
Fax Number: (310) 540-2699

[What'saCobra?]

EX'
EVERYTHING is ALWAYS personal with CS, all the time. Always has been and always will be.

It is sort of a way of doing business and doing personal oneupsmanship at the same time. Like most top racers, nothing new. But, not all. Not with Badger. Not with Dan. ALWAYS with AJ, plus some.

For instance, in the film clip he says something like this: "We learned that they were going to use the KR (or King of the Road) name and we grabbed that and put it on our cars first. That makes my day..." or the equivalent.

HOW he learned and from whom is not known by us, but he tells the story such that you must conclude that he "jumped their claim", not much different than a cheating silver or gold miner's trick against another unsuspecting miner.

But, he was certainly honest perhaps more than necessary when he claimed he was no businessman and no engineer. He's got that right. But, he figures his skills are surrounding himself with the best engineers and best businessmen. Well, if CS was a very good supervisor, that might make enough sense to accept. But, when he goes off the handle, many good engineers and good businessmen might rather take a powder than be required to take the abuse.

Perhaps some of his old pals reflect on the years of abuse as "battered employee" syndrome. Most publicly do not say so, but most of them have very fine manners in public; although i recall Badger cutting "Shel a large one at one of the SAAC annual events. And even at Boulder to a large degree. It was a joy to watch the Commodore squirm, because it was the truth. The subject was the importance of the kit makers to the history and continued interest in the cars.

CSX
Never thought about your intriguing insight, "...anti-rejection meds are brutal..." much, might be valid, don't really know, but i don't think CS needs meds to form a personal frame of mind. His thinking and phrasing don't seem any different than 40 years ago, except he might be even more impotent for success.

[CSX 4039]

Originally Posted by What'saCobra?

EX'
EVERYTHING is ALWAYS personal with CS, all the time. Always has been and always will be.

It is sort of a way of doing business and doing personal oneupsmanship at the same time. Like most top racers, nothing new. But, not all. Not with Badger. Not with Dan. ALWAYS with AJ, plus some.

For instance, in the film clip he says something like this: "We learned that they were going to use the KR (or King of the Road) name and we grabbed that and put it on our cars first. That makes my day..." or the equivalent.

HOW he learned and from whom is not known by us, but he tells the story such that you must conclude that he "jumped their claim", not much different than a cheating silver or gold miner's trick against another unsuspecting miner.

But, he was certainly honest perhaps more than necessary when he claimed he was no businessman and no engineer. He's got that right. But, he figures his skills are surrounding himself with the best engineers and best businessmen. Well, if CS was a very good supervisor, that might make enough sense to accept. But, when he goes off the handle, many good engineers and good businessmen might rather take a powder than be required to take the abuse.

Perhaps some of his old pals reflect on the years of abuse as "battered employee" syndrome. Most publicly do not say so, but most of them have very fine manners in public; although i recall Badger cutting "Shel a large one at one of the SAAC annual events. And even at Boulder to a large degree. It was a joy to watch the Commodore squirm, because it was the truth. The subject was the importance of the kit makers to the history and continued interest in the cars.

CSX
Never thought about your intriguing insight, "...anti-rejection meds are brutal..." much, might be valid, don't really know, but i don't think CS needs meds to form a personal frame of mind. His thinking and phrasing don't seem any different than 40 years ago, except he might be even more impotent for success.

I treat a lot of 85 year olds. Many have brain atrophy, decreased cerebral blood flow, etc. and it shows in their personalities. Grumpy, cantankerous curmudgeons. The difference is they may or may not have been like that in their youth, and they don't have a posse of ambulances chasers, willing to file on any whim he chooses, so long as they can bill $450/hour ad nauseum to that $40 million dollar trust.

[saltytri]

Originally Posted by CSX 4039

I treat a lot of 85 year olds. Many have brain atrophy, decreased cerebral blood flow, etc. and it shows in their personalities. Grumpy, cantankerous curmudgeons. The difference is they may or may not have been like that in their youth, and they don't have a posse of ambulances chasers, willing to file on any whim he chooses, so long as they can bill $450/hour ad nauseum to that $40 million dollar trust.

As if you don't charge more per hour to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance carriers!

Not that that fact makes CS and his lawyers any more admirable, mind you.