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

[CNGreen]

Amy,

SO what will your stance be with respect to replica owners and the new site, registry, and events?

I belong to a club that is very encouraging and inviting to me and my replica. We held an event recently that had the track absolutely FILLED with originals and replicas and everyone got along famously. I don't even want to mention the name though for fear of lawyers from SAI.

Seems to me that if you really want to be inclusive you (SAI) would finally bury the hatchet and welcome the replicas, be they Kirkham, SuperFormance and even, god forbid, FFR owners.

Or is this all about more exclusive SHELBY branding?

Hopefully,
A Lowly replica owner

[mr bruce]

How will the Georgia Shelby dealership handle Title/ Registration now that the state of Georgia will no longer allow "kit" cars that don't comply with Federal safety standards?

[Buzz]

The only thing in life that will never change is change itself. This is just another change beyond the control of those not directly involved in the actual business and we just have to accept it (or not) and move on. When I read all the ongoing griping and derision about Enzo and Shelby doin' what they gotta do to protect and control the offsprings of THEIR business ventures I have to wonder what else the hue-and-criers expect them to do and what exactly they themselves would do differently if they were (un?) lucky enough to have walked in those men's shoes. When I hear people lamenting that it's all about the money or profit, I have to wonder how many (non charitable) businesses are not about profit and how many of the lamenters have ever invested their own money, creativity and time into THEIR OWN product or business venture and what their feelings about profit and brand ownership would be if they had. Wouldn't life be sweet if Shelby was the Mother Theresa of all philanthropists who lived his life solely so that anyone who loves Cobras and Shelby automobiles could have one on his dime or profit freely from the fruits of his labours? Wouldn't life be sweet if gas was $.05 a gallon and sex strengthened your immune system and lobster had no cholesterol and ... and ... ?

[Tout]

Amy,
You of all people should know that you can't survive as a jack of all trades and a master of none. This may bite you in the end, I hope it turns out better for you, than the guy that replaced Coke with New Coke did.
John T

[Igofastr]

Originally Posted by Buzz

The only thing in life that will never change is change itself. This is just another change beyond the control of those not directly involved in the actual business and we just have to accept it (or not) and move on. When I read all the ongoing griping and derision about Enzo and Shelby doin' what they gotta do to protect and control the offsprings of THEIR business ventures I have to wonder what else the hue-and-criers expect them to do and what exactly they themselves would do differently if they were (un?) lucky enough to have walked in those men's shoes. When I hear people lamenting that it's all about the money or profit, I have to wonder how many (non charitable) businesses are not about profit and how many of the lamenters have ever invested their own money, creativity and time into THEIR OWN product or business venture and what their feelings about profit and brand ownership would be if they had. Wouldn't life be sweet if Shelby was the Mother Theresa of all philanthropists who lived his life solely so that anyone who loves Cobras and Shelby automobiles could have one on his dime or profit freely from the fruits of his labours? Wouldn't life be sweet if gas was $.05 a gallon and sex strengthened your immune system and lobster had no cholesterol and ... and ... ?

I have no problem with people in business to make money. Heck, you could argue that I make money off of people's misfortune (I'm a physician). However, I try to give people a good value for their money, and try to avoid pissing them off in the process. In the end, having happy customers is more valuable than angry ones that you've made a few extra dollars off.

No business major here, but I don't think common sense only comes with an MBA.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by Buzz

The only thing in life that will never change is change itself. This is just another change beyond the control of those not directly involved in the actual business and we just have to accept it (or not) and move on. When I read all the ongoing griping and derision about Enzo and Shelby doin' what they gotta do to protect and control the offsprings of THEIR business ventures I have to wonder what else the hue-and-criers expect them to do and what exactly they themselves would do differently if they were (un?) lucky enough to have walked in those men's shoes. When I hear people lamenting that it's all about the money or profit, I have to wonder how many (non charitable) businesses are not about profit and how many of the lamenters have ever invested their own money, creativity and time into THEIR OWN product or business venture and what their feelings about profit and brand ownership would be if they had. Wouldn't life be sweet if Shelby was the Mother Theresa of all philanthropists who lived his life solely so that anyone who loves Cobras and Shelby automobiles could have one on his dime or profit freely from the fruits of his labours? Wouldn't life be sweet if gas was $.05 a gallon and sex strengthened your immune system and lobster had no cholesterol and ... and ... ?

Ah, yes. What if I had a business venture. And there was some "club" out there that essentially is like free advertising to my company. Maybe that "club" is really a business and their "members" are really customers to that club, but those customers are actually funding the free advertising for my business venture. What if there are 2 guys that run the club and might split the profits from their company that are probably less than 200k per year. Now lets say that I hire another company with part of my advertising budget that costs me 200k per year to essentially run another "club". Should I upset the first company that provides me with free advertising and cut them out of the picture so they cannot get the 200k that provides my free advertising?

I guess it might come down to, do I trust the "club" that provides my essentially free advertising that is not really under my control? If I don't trust them to do what I want, maybe I should try to stop them. But then again I might alienate some of the "members" that were happy customers to the "club" and you know what, those "members" are also my potential customers that I might be alienating.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

Ah, yes. What if I had a business venture. And there was some "club" out there that essentially is like free advertising to my company. Maybe that "club" is really a business and their "members" are really customers to that club, but those customers are actually funding the free advertising for my business venture. What if there are 2 guys that run the club and might split the profits from their company that are probably less than 200k per year. Now lets say that I hire another company with part of my advertising budget that costs me 200k per year to essentially run another "club". Should I upset the first company that provides me with free advertising and cut them out of the picture so they cannot get the 200k that provides my free advertising?

I guess it might come down to, do I trust the "club" that provides my essentially free advertising that is not really under my control? If I don't trust them to do what I want, maybe I should try to stop them. But then again I might alienate some of the "members" that were happy customers to the "club" and you know what, those "members" are also my potential customers that I might be alienating.

If I may quote myself...

I think a made a bit of a bad analogy here.

My post sort of implies that SAAC was a business that promoted Shelby sort of independent of Shelby. But the SAAC and Shelby businesses have had business relationships with each other for a long time. We just don't know what the details of those arrangements were.

From some of the posts that I have seen, I was getting the impression that some people here think that SAI is going after SAAC's revenue, much like SAI is going after other replica manufacturers for not having a license for making vehicles that look like Cobras. I don't think that is the case. Unlike the replica makers, SAAC was licensed by Shelby. Amy has said that the license is not being renewed. Not only was SAAC licensed, if you go back in time prior to the current SAI, I believe SAAC used to be Shelby's licensing organization.

I believe Amy when she says SAI is not doing this for the money. I suspect that if SAI could get all of the SAAC members into the new club, SAI might be able to pay 2 or 3 employees with their increased revenue, but those people would have to do all of the same things that SAAC does and SAAC uses volunteers to do many things. However, it looks like SAI has outsourced TeamShelby. So I guess the new club has to find enough volunteers to make the situation work for them.

Maybe this is just what Amy mentioned earlier about some arguments between SAI and SAAC, and now SAI is cutting loose a long time business partner.

I'm sure that without the Shelby license, SAAC will continue, but will need to make some changes, probably like changing the logo so it is no longer a cobra badge, and perhaps the registry name will change from "Shelby American World Registry" to "SAAC World Registry". Maybe the t-shirts will not have cobras or shelby mustangs on them anymore. With that being the case, it actually seems like SAI is perhaps a bit foolish in not renewing SAAC's license as SAAC will continue to make money off of their members, their convention, t-shirts, posters, etc. and we'll all know that SAAC is still a Shelby enthusiasts club. Why not renew the license and get some percentage of the money that SAAC makes, however small that is.

Perhaps SAI and SAAC just cannot get along anymore. I doubt we'll ever know what the real reasons are behind this.

[daltondavid]

I believe once this gets ironed out, SAAC and Team Shelby will do nothing but help one another advance to higher levels than ever before. One needs the other to grow as much as the other needs the endorsement to survive. Business 1-0-1 states that somewhere! lets talk about the positive aspects of how that could happen!

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

If I may quote myself...

...

Perhaps SAI and SAAC just cannot get along anymore. I doubt we'll ever know what the real reasons are behind this.

Having trouble resisting... Must not quote my own post that quotes another one of my posts...

Unless of course, I don't argue with myself this time. Hmm, ... that might be OK.

Just need to say it before Bill does.

Only "da bunnies" know.

[CNGreen]

Amy, maybe you thought I was being sarcastic, but my questions are sincere. Let me restate them, removing all non-relevant comments:

What will your stance be with respect to replica owners and the new site, registry, and events?

I belong to a club that is very encouraging and inviting to me and my replica. We held an event recently that had the track absolutely FILLED with originals and replicas and everyone got along famously.

Seems to me that if you really want to be inclusive you (SAI) would finally bury the hatchet and welcome the replicas, be they Kirkham, SuperFormance and even FFR owners.

Or is this all about more exclusive SHELBY branding?

Hopefully,
A replica owner

[Don]

Amy:

Are these the only web links, or are there others ? If so, please specify:

www.teamshelby.com

http://www.stangsunleashed.com/teamshelby

Don

[amy B]

Originally Posted by Don

Amy:

Are these the only web links, or are there others ? If so, please specify:

www.teamshelby.com

http://www.stangsunleashed.com/teamshelby

Don

We have Shelbyautos.com as well right now, we also have a few new site for terlingua and cobra that are still in development.


Amy

[amy B]

Originally Posted by CNGreen

Amy, maybe you thought I was being sarcastic, but my questions are sincere. Let me restate them, removing all non-relevant comments:

What will your stance be with respect to replica owners and the new site, registry, and events?

I belong to a club that is very encouraging and inviting to me and my replica. We held an event recently that had the track absolutely FILLED with originals and replicas and everyone got along famously.

Seems to me that if you really want to be inclusive you (SAI) would finally bury the hatchet and welcome the replicas, be they Kirkham, SuperFormance and even FFR owners.

Or is this all about more exclusive SHELBY branding?

Hopefully,
A replica owner

By the nature of who we are, We don't support the companies that are in litigation with Shelby over trade dress, that said I would not turn away a clone owner or kit owner from our events. now there might be events celebrating a certain car, like the 68 gt500KR and maybe this wouldn't be appropriate. We are working thru it all right now. We are intereting in supporting the people first.


Amy

[CSX 4027]

Amy,
Are you in Litigation with Kirkham??

QUOTE=amy B]By the nature of who we are, We don't support the companies that are in litigation with Shelby over trade dress, that said I would not turn away a clone owner or kit owner from our events. now there might be events celebrating a certain car, like the 68 gt500KR and maybe this wouldn't be appropriate. We are working thru it all right now. We are intereting in supporting the people first.


Amy[/quote]

[Excaliber]

Spelling and grammer check, whatever, lets not loose sight of the message.

I'm pretty sure, just a gut feeling ( ) that Amy B. is more than well qualifed to make the BUSINESS decisions as to profitability, long term goals and has wieghed (weighing) the risk or pissing people off vs moving forward.

Not checked for spelling errors, and don't care either!

[CNGreen]

Amy, thanks for the response.

I thought all of the litigation was done with? Isn't that a bit of a dated response?

Again, not being antagonistic, but I thought all of the issues related to the Shelby trade dress litigation had been finalized.

[amy B]

Originally Posted by CNGreen

Amy, thanks for the response.

I thought all of the litigation was done with? Isn't that a bit of a dated response?

Again, not being antagonistic, but I thought all of the issues related to the Shelby trade dress litigation had been finalized.

I don't believe so, I can not say anything more on that topic, except that my understanding is, it is ongoing


Amy

[Don]

Just as an FYI;

Road & Track cover and feature article for the December edition:

Picture w/ wording:

" Shelby Super Snake Better than a Viper or Vette ? 605HP 0-60 in 4.4 sec "

Inside on the Contents page:

" Snakes Alive ! More powerful than even the GT500KR, this supercharged, Shelby built GT500 Super Snake looks ready to rumble with the new Viper SRT10. Plus, a look ar Caroll Shelby, the man, and the future of Shelby Automobiles " , an eight ( 8 ) page article.

Caption in the article:

" It is an understatement to say that the Super Snake is a beast. The engine not only makes 605HP, but also 590lb-ft of torque....that surfeit of motive force easily overwhelms the rear tires " "

[SFM5S159]

Gee, sorry!!!

Didn't you guys see the ???

Don't take things so seriously

[Tout]

Amy,
Did shelby American ever make an offer to purchase SAAC ,it seems that would have been the best move ?
JohnT