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

[Excaliber]

...and I would think CONTINUE to be on going for years to come. You think ANY corporation is going to sit back and NOT seek to protect their trade dress, trade marks, etc.? Not just today, but it will forever be an issue to be dealt with.

[map]

Looks like the OLD COBRA bit SACC right in the A$$......
I'm just surprised it took this long!

[Excaliber]

Bill, you make me chuckle, always the 'consultant' at heart.

[daltondavid]

Seems to me the overwhelming response is concern over the lack of respect shown towards SAAC in comparison to the new and exciting potential promised to us in a Virtual setting while we hope Carroll lives long enough to see it's launch on his 86th Birthday.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by daltondavid

Carroll lives long enough to see it's launch on his 86th Birthday.

Just for sake of accuracy, it will be his 85th

[CNGreen]

Wow Amy, you sure are ready to kiss off anybody who questions the plan...

You may be the president but that sure as heck isn't gonna win any new converts.

You need to develop some thicker skin, considering your position within SAI.

[Excaliber]

BUSINESS' have their lawyers draft letters, it's what they do, it's how business is done. They also ask for input from the potential customers, as Amy B. is presently doing. Some of that input goes immediatly into the 'round file', some is carefully considered, that also is how business is done!

[427sharpe]

I am sorry if this is repetitive, but I have been out of contact for quite some time and have just found this thread.
First, a lot has been made about 'elitist' SAAC. I have been a member since the 70's, been to most of the conventions and yes, I have seen people treated rather tersely by Kopec and Eber, as well as rank and file members. they are human, and can be difficult at times. They (all members) can ALSO be extremely helpful and generous. Just people. A lot of the consternation comes from a lack of understanding of what SAAC truly is (IMHO). It IS and WAS a club set up and run by guys with an fervent PASSION for the 'true' Shelby-American cars. I think the club made errors is expanding to the late model vehicles (Dodges, Series 1, non 2-3000 CSX and late Mustangs) because they did not have the PASSION for those cars. This is the root of the lamented 'elitism', again only IMHO. I see owners show up with cars (a lot of clones fall here) and expect to be treated as the owner of an original and that is just not going to happen around a bunch of guys who have carried their passion (and SHELBY) on their back for 30+ years. I think this is the basis of the rift with CS---a lack of commitment on the new stuff which happens to be CS's wheat bread and low fat margarine at this time. CS's feelings got snubbed, and he responded.
I suppose the question for Amy (who I respect more and more, BTW) is whether or not she feels the NEW CS owners will value their cars as much as the VINTAGE owners do. Because if they don't, it really IS all about the Benjamins. And CS certainly makes a lot more green on the new than the old! I personally feel the new owners will not. the CS Mustangs of today will be relegated to history...just as the 60's models were. Except I do not see many people lining up to fanatically craft them back to oe as many of us did with 60's models like my 'hold over' '66. It is sad that 'we all can't just get along', but that is the way it is. I am a bit surprised that CS's grandson's site (Shelby Forums) has not figured in this, but I feel sure that SAAC WILL continue as the main force to the 60's cars (Cobras & GT's) while Team Shelby will fall to the newer models. Ultimately I see TS going the way of the Dodge club, it will wither when new competition comes along (say, Camaro and Challenger clubs?) and the CS cars are not the hot (only?) ticket in town anymore. Just gut feeling.
And, Amy, I know you have been the designated whipping boy (girl?) here on this, but many of us cretins respect you for the work you have done at SA and the forthrightness you display by showing up and taking it with good humor (usually). Good luck with your projects!

[daltondavid]

as a moderator on Shelby Forums, I do not know how we can figure in to this. I am a SAAC member and own two Vintage cars as well as an 07 Shelby GT. Shelbyforums.com is it's own entity started by Randall Shelby who has done a terrific job with creating a site that has attracted so many knowledgeable Shelby owners and enthusiasts. as for the Matter with SAAC and Shelby, I am thinking positive and hoping for the best as the new ideas sound great. But the work done by SAAC is second to none and can only make "Team Shelby" better if everyone can get on the same page.

[427sharpe]

I just meant that I thought the SF's site would have been a great start for Team Shelby as opposed to a scratch build.

[migge]

Thanks for the information about the registry NED.

Regards
Michael

[kayakjack]

Originally Posted by 427sharpe

A lot of the consternation comes from a lack of understanding of what SAAC truly is (IMHO). It IS and WAS a club set up and run by guys with an fervent PASSION for the 'true' Shelby-American cars. I think the club made errors is expanding to the late model vehicles (Dodges, Series 1, non 2-3000 CSX and late Mustangs) because they did not have the PASSION for those cars. This is the root of the lamented 'elitism', again only IMHO. I see owners show up with cars (a lot of clones fall here) and expect to be treated as the owner of an original and that is just not going to happen around a bunch of guys who have carried their passion (and SHELBY) on their back for 30+ years.

427sharpe, you are certainly correct about the nature of SAAC. It should be for owners of originals. Period. As the owner of a fake (Superformance), I should not be a member.

The problem is that on one hand Shelby, his lawyers and branders want to go to war with the anyone associated with the replicas, yet they troll around here and other places frequented by their supporters hoping to get our support for their next great thing. Hey, we can buy club memberships, shirts, hats, decoder rings and other trinkets of the brand, and they will have a smile on their face while they take our money. All the while they have a lawsuit against the manufacturers of our cars.

I love the originals, wish I owned one and am sort of envious of those who do. But trolls like Amy B who come here to put the smiley face on should get lost. Amy, go make a club or something out of owners of originals and leave us alone. See how much money you make from those few good people.

In my opinion the manufacturers like Kirkham, Superformance, ERA, Factory Five and others are responsible for the current popularity Ol' Shel enjoys. It is not the handful of original owners. Not big enough for critical mass. But instead of welcoming them, they are targets of lawsuits.

Also, in my opinion owners of fakes are more delighted customers than those who have purchased authentic Shelby "branded" cars in the last 30 years. Check out the current thread about Unique and their Eleanors. Or the dying guy who bought a one of Ol' Shel's continuation cars and had to wait until he was almost dead to get it. On and on...

Jack

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by kayakjack

.... But trolls like Amy B who come here to put the smiley face on should get lost. Amy, go make a club or something out of owners of originals and leave us alone. See how much money you make from those few good people.

Jack...you've missed so many points of this thread. But, that's OK.

But, Amy is no troll here and you are out of line insinuating that. As a "mover" in the Cobra community, she is welcomed here, regardless of the message.

Just leave it at that.

ron
ClubCobra Moderator

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by kayakjack

427sharpe, you are certainly correct about the nature of SAAC. It should be for owners of originals. Period. As the owner of a fake (Superformance), I should not be a member.


Jack

I think you are suggesting that SAAC become something that it has never been, nor does it plan on being.

SAAC is an ethusiasts club. Owning a Shelby car is not required. If you don't want to belong, don't join.

I had not been to a convention in years, but went to the one at VIR a couple of summers ago. It's cool for me to see so many nice cars there, originals and replicas included. It was also cool to see the vintage race with Dick Smith out there. I was busy trying to get some pictures while I was there because my wife and small children were getting bored. I did not get a chance to talk to many people while rushing thru, but I did not really experience the elitist attitude. I was taking some pictures of CSX3003 and CSX3035 at one point and someone there was having a conversation with my 3 year old son. He was probably the owner of CSX3003.

I'm glad SAAC does not exclude me, as I don't own a Shelby car and I don't even own a replica (well, not yet).

[imagine2frolic]

POPCORN NEEDED! Bill you are always direct in a gentlemanly way. I do not think Amy understands your way yet.

I wonder how long this thread will get?

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

I wonder how long this thread will get?

I have 21 pages in the pool.................

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

I have 21 pages in the pool.................

I WON!!!!!

[RedEsprit]

OUCH....lotsastuff going on here and everyone has an agenda. Some observations would be as follows Apologies are made in advance for any mispellings as that also seems to be an issue.

1. For those that think SAAC was "elitist", you may have a much bigger problem with the new organization. Per Amy's comment, we need to pay attention to litigation Shelby has commenced regarding "issues of trade dress". Just keeping track of this litigation over the years seems like a full time job. Will my ERA be welcome at a "Shelby event" or should I park in the supermarket parking lot a mile away and take a taxi? Obviously, I need to stay in touch with Peter at ERA to see if he's been served lately.

2. Never actually been a SAAC fan. I think they could do a much better job given the interest and following in the cars. If Shelby corporate thinks they can do a better job, their probably right and more power to them. After all, it is a publicly traded company with shareholders to answer to. Whether they actually do a better job is yet to be seen. Maybe Amy is the answer. Maybe not.

3. Clearly, alienating the replica and Ford performance crowd on sites such as this is a major mistake (whether SAAC or Shelby) considering the numbers involved here. Do not try to convince me that Ol' Shel is doing this out of devotion to the owners. Profits are involved and rightfully so. No problem with Shelby making a buck but at some point in time he really needs to embrace the replicas and their builders as a form of (misdirected) flattery. After all, the body shape and its manufacture wasn't his (thank you AC), the engine and running gear wasn't his (thank you Ford), nor were the vast majority of the various other parts (thank you English cottage industry). In fact, if you remove the Cobra name badge from the nose and decklid, what do you really have that was Shelby? (And don't tell me it was the idea to stuff a V-8 in a light English body). Shelby has so much to be proud of in his racing career and accomplishments, its a shame that seems to continually reach out and take credit for more than is due (and then sue over it).

4. Without question, SAAC has been instrumental in helping to create an organized following of the cars over a very long period of time when Shelby didn't care one way or another. Times have changed and money is now an issue. Greed is good (G. GECKO). It would appear that a merger or acquisition would have been in everyone's best interest. Too bad it didn't happen. My opinion, both will suffer as a result. But in the end, Its 70 degrees outside, I think I'll take a ride in my AC replica (ERA) which doesn't dent and just looks and sounds great. Let's see what Shelby does with the new organization. If I and my car are welcome, I'll probably join provided there are functions sponsored I can actually get to.

[candyman]

Unfortunately there are many people who cannot afford a "genunie" shelby, if we are looked down upon because of this fact then this just adds more fuel to the eliteist attitude people believe they are feeling.
I'm in the market now for a cobra and fortunately can afford a csx 4000 car if I choose that path ,but I myself have never liked people that feel they are superior or more devoted because they are more fortunate then others to be able to afford a "genuine" shelby".
I hope that the people at Shelby choose their words very carefully or you may loose more business then you gain through all of this.

[Don]

Whether anyone agrees,disagrees, has other opinions, etc., etc., with the direction being taken by Caroll Shelby, Amy deserves credit for actively participating in the Club Cobra Forum and this Thread. May either like or dislike the answers, but at a minimum there is a response. Better than reading a published article with someone elses interpretation of what is or is not happening.

In most other Corporate situations of this nature, the replies for a Q & A would have been very carefully worded over an extended time period by the Public Affairs/Relations staff of experts and then sent to Legal for their approval. In the end, the reply might not have any correlation to the original question. Some would even recommend no reply hoping the question is dropped.

Those that have been the " A " point person in a real time Town Hall Q & A environment, especially on controversial subjects with a variety of opinions, can relate to the challenge.