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

[mr bruce]

The $mart thing to do would to burry the hatchet, embrace ALL replicas. Imagine the influx of 10,000 + members

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by mr bruce

The $mart thing to do would to burry the hatchet, embrace ALL replicas. Imagine the influx of 10,000 + members

You can't expect SAAC to embrace all replicas, because the club's purpose is for the support and history of Shelby cars.

HOWEVER, a club started by Shelby, COULD embrace all brands of replicas. As the creator of the Cobra, Shelby could start a "COBRA" club, who's intent is to get ALL Cobra owners together as one. A national Cobra club would be a hit. I also feel that a national Cobra club, as started by Shelby, would help to relieve a lot of the tension between "brand ownership".

BTW, I know a thing or two about car clubs, I founded the National Lightning Owners Club in 1996 (nloc.net).

[Madmiles442]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

You can't expect SAAC to embrace all replicas, because the club's purpose is for the support and history of Shelby cars.

HOWEVER, a club started by Shelby, COULD embrace all brands of replicas. As the creator of the Cobra, Shelby could start a "COBRA" club, who's intent is to get ALL Cobra owners together as one. A national Cobra club would be a hit. I also feel that a national Cobra club, as started by Shelby, would help to relieve a lot of the tension between "brand ownership"....

I went back several pages to get this one, because I think it's the best idea to come out of this whole thread. A national Shelby Cobra Club that allows originals, replicas, tributes, all of it.

PS - I didn't get the popcorn out before, when it was Ron R, Bill S, Bill S's ego (they really deserve 2 different User Names) or Amy, but Evan's asinine remarks (no sour grapes or juvinille [I think he meant juvenile] here bud) have got me going for the Orville Redenbacher.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

'quote'
HOWEVER, a club started by Shelby, COULD embrace all brands of replicas. As the creator of the Cobra, Shelby could start a "COBRA" club, who's intent is to get ALL Cobra owners together as one. A national Cobra club would be a hit. I also feel that a national Cobra club, as started by Shelby, would help to relieve a lot of the tension between "brand ownership".

Now that's about the smartest thing I've read in this thread since yesterday.

[Don]

Another point on the future direction, from the December Road & Track article regarding the 2008 Shelby GT500 Super Snake:

" ........modifications are completed either at Shelby Automobiles' Las Vegas headquarters or the factory approved modification center at Tasca Ford in Providence RI

I think Tasca Ford is the same organization that was popular in years past for it's Ford drag racing cars

[computerworks]

...not so much part of the club talk...

Tasca was named a Mod Shop by SA, and more to follow, they say.

Up until now, if you want a GT500 "SuperSnake", you have to buy the base car from a Ford dealer and then send it to LV for the upgrades.

This just sanctions Tasca to be a "mod" center on the East Coast for these upgrades.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by computerworks

...not so much part of the club talk...

Tasca was named a Mod Shop by SA, and more to follow, they say.

Up until now, if you want a GT500 "SuperSnake", you have to buy the base car from a Ford dealer and then send it to LV for the upgrades.

This just sanctions Tasca to be a "mod" center on the East Coast for these upgrades.

More are already following.

From the news page on shelbyautos.com:

NEWS RELEASE: Shelby Automobiles, Inc. has chosen Quantum Performance as its third Mod Shop location to build high performance versions of current generation Shelby and Ford Mustangs for enthusiasts in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Quantum Performance will open the "Southwest Shelby Mod Shop" at a dedicated facility in the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch, Texas, during November 2007.

...

[Tout]

Amy ,

SAI has handled this poorly and you know it and this is not the first time, YOU are hear to see how badly this is being taken. Why is it SAI has grand plans and always screws someone? NO you don't like to hear it , but it's true.I know you , have listened to the promises and still can't understand why this company is run this way.
John T

[lineslinger]

If nothing else, Amy didn't bail out of this.
Tested? Yeah and I got a feeling its not over.
Is everything hunkydory?
No.
You have to give her credit for not disappearing and playing corporate hide and seek, that would have been easy.
She chose not to.

[RodKnock]

Here's my agenda. I've paid dues and purchased merchandise from SAAC for a very, very long time. I'm not a stockholder in SAI, but the way I see it is that SAI claims to have just spent or is in the process of spending $200,000 +/- on their website. Maybe SAI may be able to produce a nice magazine on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis, which was SAAC's aim about 10-20 years ago and also be able to ship out a registry faster than every 10-15 years. I'm sure I'm missing something between the lines, but I for one appreciate the information that Amy is putting forth. Let her answer questions without the 3rd degree.

[RedEsprit]

Amy,

Naumoff and a few others have brought up a good point and clearly you see the light or you wouldn't be on this site defending corporate policy.

As I mentioned on a previous post, Carroll has many accomplishments to be proud of. In my opinion, running companies is really not one of them. Maybe that's where you come in. When I bought my ERA, I deposited $30,000 knowing I had a one year wait for the car but had no qualms about doing so with ERA's 20+ year reputation. Would I do the same with a Shelby? If I could buy it from Carroll with a handshake across the desk, yes. From a licensee, don't be ridiculous. In with a check, out with a car or no deal. Shelby has everything going for him and could so easily dominate the industry but it seems that instead of consolidating the market for his own benefit, he constantly spends time just thinking of brand new ways to piss people off.

The market for Shelby manufactured (licensed) products his enormous. The number of potential customers on this site alone would be enough to open my eyes. Weigh the negative / positive comments on this post and other posts about SAI on this site. This is a sample. This is your corporate image. Clearly, this is not what you want and cannot be your goal.

As opposed to most real Cobras, people actually see replicas driving down the street, ask what they are / where can they get one, etc. Having once owned an original AC and many other original collectibles, I understand a certain amount of "elitist attitude" regarding being able to afford an "original" and ownership. That being said, the roadster replicas and the enthusiasts that build them (whether Shelby or otherwise) offer practicality and are clearly important to the future. From my standpoint, someone at SAI is not looking at the BIG picture. Why not use this new venture as an attempt to consolidate the market, rather than fragment it.

[kayakjack]

RedEsprit,

Very well said.

In the sixties, Shelby competed with Ferrari and prevailed. It is his legacy. Shelby and Ferrari both became crusty old men. Both ran race teams - their passion. Both sold street cars to pay the bills. Shelby - younger and better able to capitalize on it all. Both had big factory ties. Shelby with Ford. Ferrari tied in with Fiat. Ford almost bought Ferrari for a few million dollars, so it wasn't worth that much at the time.

How did it all work out? Look at Ferrari. Look at the Tifosi, the biggest, most loyal, vigorous fans in the world. The race team. The street cars. The reputation.

Look at Shelby. Lawsuits. Ferrari folks put there names on a list and hope to get called soon to buy their new car. Buy from a Shelby licensee? Like you said - in with a check, out with a car or no deal.

I checked Shelby's market capitalization. A few million dollars. Burger King single franchisees do better. No PE ratio, because they have no profits. Stock selling well south of a buck. The facts say their philosophy is a failure.

I have been involved in a number of successful turnarounds. This has some earmarks of potential success. But I could do it better than they can. Their plan has fatal flaws that will insure nothing good happens. They think they can be successful doing more of the same. Customer's buying from licensees getting screwed. Lawsuits. Company's like Factory Five are the enemy. Replica customers are seen as second tier. But there are lots of them so they like their money. Half baked new "clubs".

Maybe someday it will really change. I don't know.

Jack

[amy B]

Originally Posted by kayakjack

RedEsprit,

Very well said.

In the sixties, Shelby competed with Ferrari and prevailed. It is his legacy. Shelby and Ferrari both became crusty old men. Both ran race teams - their passion. Both sold street cars to pay the bills. Shelby - younger and better able to capitalize on it all. Both had big factory ties. Shelby with Ford. Ferrari tied in with Fiat. Ford almost bought Ferrari for a few million dollars, so it wasn't worth that much at the time.

How did it all work out? Look at Ferrari. Look at the Tifosi, the biggest, most loyal, vigorous fans in the world. The race team. The street cars. The reputation.

Look at Shelby. Lawsuits. Ferrari folks put there names on a list and hope to get called soon to buy their new car. Buy from a Shelby licensee? Like you said - in with a check, out with a car or no deal.

I checked Shelby's market capitalization. A few million dollars. Burger King single franchisees do better. No PE ratio, because they have no profits. Stock selling well south of a buck. The facts say their philosophy is a failure.

I have been involved in a number of successful turnarounds. This has some earmarks of potential success. But I could do it better than they can. Their plan has fatal flaws that will insure nothing good happens. They think they can be successful doing more of the same. Customer's buying from licensees getting screwed. Lawsuits. Company's like Factory Five are the enemy. Replica customers are seen as second tier. But there are lots of them so they like their money. Half baked new "clubs".

Maybe someday it will really change. I don't know.

Jack

Jack, I will say this, first SAI hasn't been public for a few years it's on the pinks.We were 6+ million in the hole when I took over, we are certainly a lot better then a "market cap of a few million right now". I have invested a lot of $$$ in the new club and again, the new club is targeted at all the new cars and welcomes the vintage. I will keep saying that. I did not cancel SAAc I being me, Amy Boylan. Carroll and his licensing team did. Carroll did this for his reasons. My club was started being built months before this happened.

On the turnaround, you could have done it better? Maybe you could have, but you didn't step up? I did. So it's pretty easy to sit there and suggest something you can't prove.

On the replicar issue, it is before my time, I will leave it at that.

Amy

[kayakjack]

Originally Posted by amy B

On the turnaround, you could have done it better? Maybe you could have, but you didn't step up? I did. So it's pretty easy to sit there and suggest something you can't prove.


Amy

Yeah, I think I could have done better.

Doing more of the same, faster gets you nowhere. You know that. In fact this is all so basic that I really think you know how to make Shelby what it should be and could have been all along. My hunch is that you don't have the authority needed for success. I wish you did, because like I said, I have a hunch you know how to do it.

You are right, I am just sitting here writing. Pretty easy, huh. Tell you what, if you ever want some real help - just drop me a line. Be glad to. I'll put effort in - no charge. I would love to see the Organization succeed. I would love to see you succeed. I have the passion too.

Jack

[amy B]

Originally Posted by kayakjack

Yeah, I think I could have done better.

Doing more of the same, faster gets you nowhere. You know that. In fact this is all so basic that I really think you know how to make Shelby what it should be and could have been all along. My hunch is that you don't have the authority needed for success. I wish you did, because like I said, I have a hunch you know how to do it.

You are right, I am just sitting here writing. Pretty easy, huh. Tell you what, if you ever want some real help - just drop me a line. Be glad to. I'll put effort in - no charge. I would love to see the Organization succeed. I would love to see you succeed. I have the passion too.

Jack

Thanks Jack, I will take you up on that. Email me your info, it's a tough job Inever said I could do it alone

amy

amyb@shelbyautos.com

[Excaliber]

I would be hesitant to open the can of worms concerning any offers from Carroll to the replica world for licensing or whatever. I have no doubt he did, how much, how it was to be issued and all that are a real minefield. It will likely only add fuel to the fire no matter how it went down. SPF got theres, let it go...

[amy B]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

I would be hesitant to open the can of worms concerning any offers from Carroll to the replica world for licensing or whatever. I have no doubt he did, how much, how it was to be issued and all that are a real minefield. It will likely only add fuel to the fire no matter how it went down. SPF got theres, let it go...

Ex, you are right, it was before my time and it should stay there. Thank you


Amy

[Smalltime]

Just one person's opinion....

Amy, I'm a small time person who was lucky to buy a shelby many years ago and enjoy it to this day. I hope that both SAAC (history) and Team Shelby (shows,magazines,products) can co-exist. Some thoughts on why I hope it happens...

SAAC (it was a "for profit" organization) when I first started looking to buy a Shelby was fantastic..All those records, could call and talk to a registar and get data instantly..Went to a convention and had fun, got my newsletter and yearly magazine and bought my car based on their help. Then I saw that SAAC really didn't adjust as the future unfolded to the growing mystique of these cars and the skyrocketing values. When your charging people $25.00 a day to walk around and look at cars at their convention and really don't try to grow your membership..well what are you trying to do? It seemed that over the past 15 years what has grown for SAAC is dollar signs and arrogance. Don't get me wrong there are some great folks in SAAC..I just think when your leader is catering to the rich/famous/arrogance then its us a little guys that get squeezed. I didn't renew my membership over 7 years ago because they just don't offer anything to the smaller fan. They wanted this tight knit exclusive group and didn't seem to care about anyone else.

So now we have Team Shelby...I like the ideas of bringing a fresh marketing flavor and injecting those ideas for both old and new cars. I like all types of cars and whether its a clone, new, old, real..its what people can afford and we should be an inclusive group. Amy good luck with this endeavor and I'll be watching to see how things progress and hopefully join some day.

[Jamo]

Again, a reminder...keep this thread nice or it will be shut down.

Amy...kudos for continuing to respond to even the assinine comments, and keeping your cool.

[Tout]

Gary, If Rick has a letter from me I would love to see it. Again, I do not run licensing, I don't know anything other then what I said to to Bob, that was the license wasn't renewed. Licensing is in LA, legal is in LA, they do licensing. I am in Vegas, I don't know everything even though I am part of shelby. I am tangled in this as I am starting the new club at the same time. A club that was directed at the new and welcomed the old.


Amy


Amy, who's running the ship? If you don't know what's going on in a buisness your running, Why not? And if you are really after the new cars why take the license away? DO YOU HAVE CONTROL OF DECISIONS BEING MADE CONCERNING SAI?
JohnT