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

[hey,littlecobra]

Jay, where did you get the magazine?? What's it called again??
(i hate the thought of going back all these pages to find the name of it )
thanks, Kristen

[Jay Little]

Originally Posted by hey,littlecobra

Jay, where did you get the magazine?? What's it called again??
(i hate the thought of going back all these pages to find the name of it )
thanks, Kristen

Kristen, I bought it at my local Kroger store. They had about 15-20 of these and I thought, what the heck.

Click on this link, http://www.stangsunleashed.com/teamshelby, then go to the bottom of the page and you will see a cover pic on the right hand side.

The name of the magazine is simply, SHELBY.

[Excaliber]

No matter how good an idea a 'business' arrangement might be, it comes down to the people working together. If Shelby and the others simply can't see eye to eye, for whatever reason, it's a bad business plan. It would appear this is the case, SAAC does their thing, without the official license from Shelby, thats the way it is. At least in the forseeable future.

The new way of doing business is to embrace your customers, give them something special, make them feel like a part of the team, offer them a 'club'. LOTS of business' are doing this these days. The Shelby future is in NEW cars, not old ones. It makes perfect sense to embrace the new owners and modern cars, bring them into the fold, give them something special. Aiming (Amying? ) at this target group, whilst not alienating others, is especially tough as it concerns the history and passion of the Cobra world.

With the Hot Wheels crowd, it was pretty straight forward (were those the 'salad days' Amy?). It's vastly more complex with THIS crowd carrying around a lot of historic 'baggage'!

[rdorman]

The thing that surprises me the most about this thread is a bothered to look

[JWheaton]

Originally Posted by rdorman

The thing that surprises me the most about this thread is a bothered to look

hehehehe -- its like rubber necking on the roads, all are waiting to see the accident ahead.

[rdorman]

Originally Posted by JWheaton

hehehehe -- its like rubber necking on the roads, all are waiting to see the accident ahead.

I think you hit that nail right on the head!

[amy B]

Guys, this will be my last post for a while, I will try to get this resolved offline.

I will say this, I appreciate those who have given me at least the benefit of the doubt. Yes, I do work with all the entities that are Carroll's, there's the tire group, the engine company , the wheel company, the new engine group. licensing, food company, etc....... That said, we talk, that's how I knew about the cancellation, I didn't see the letter, I did not know about documents.

To those that sent me emails and PM's, thank you.

To those that beat up on the public site but send me nice private emails, I am at a loss. We can discuss later ...lol

I will leave you all with this. I was told, there were calls, there were emails/letters, before the big one. All it would have taken was a phone call from one of 2 guys. I am sure that would have alleviated all the issues.


Amy

[Jim Maxwell]

Amy, Thanks for your participation here. As a long time Cobra fanatic, ever since my big brother, Ed, bought CSX 2306 in 1969 (for $5500), I have enjoyed all things Shelby. I have been a member of SAAC since ~1987 or so, when I finally had the money to buy a real Shelby (CSX 2401). Med school and residency kind of got in the way of car stuff for a few years, but all those nights moonlighting in the ER for extra cash was with one goal in mind, a Shelby Cobra.
SAAC has been a great help to me over the years in many ways. Do I think the magazine will win any Pulitzer's? No. Is Rick warm and fuzzy at the convention? Heck,no, and I wouldn't be either with the success of a huge event weighing heavy on my shoulders. Does it cost a lot to get into the SAAC events? Have you ever seen what it cost to rent a major race track? For a small club (and SAAC is, relatively speaking) the costs aren't spread out over a huge number of folks. While I don't have any idea regarding the actual finances of SAAC, I'll bet they earn every cent they make and I'll also bet it isn't near as much as some folks dream it is.
The American demand for perfection in all things is a major societal flaw, I think. Everyone thinks, usually with the assistance of 20/20 hindsite and an inflated opinion of one's own talents, that they can solve every problem better than everyone else ( I have this problem, myself).

This is a hobby for me and I don't take most of this stuff as seriously as some others. I chose to "lighten up" a few years ago when I realized that life was too short to sweat the small stuff, and this, believe me, is small stuff, compared to health, love, friends, and, yes, even , fun.
The rude and threatening comments directed toward Amy were, uh,...disappointing, to say the least. As a member of ClubCobra I was embarrassed and ashamed. (of course, I have been retrospectively embarrassed and ashamed of many things I have said in my lifetime, lest anyone thing I feel "holier than thou").
Shelby and his companies have the right to do with their intellectual property whatever they see fit. SAAC has kept the flame alive for $1 a year, I hear. So what does Shelby owe them going forward? Some think a lot. I think it is a wash. SAAC helped him, he helped them by licensing for $1. He didn't ask SAAC to do what the members did. Did he benefit? Heck, yes. So, exactly how long does he owe a debt? Forever? That's not fair, I think.
Amy, I hope your venture turns out to be all you and Carroll dream it will be, WHATEVER the reasons. Profit is NOT a dirty word in everyone else's business.
If any other Club Cobra member was creating a new business venture, wouldn't we all wish them well?
Go for it! New car nuts in the making, just like us!

[Jim Maxwell]

Evan, I think that in recent years the Cobra fan base has certainly grown way beyond what SAAC cultivated, sprouting from the seeds sown by the numerous replica manufacturers who saw a market for the car that so many of us lusted after as kids, teenagers and adults. I agree that the overall fan base is not currently dependent on SAAC. However, SAAC and its forefathers should be given much credit for keeping the flame alive for the ~30 years or so before the replicas became so popular. SAAC was and is the organization that has tracked the history and created the enthusiasts' club that allowed owners and fans alike to communicate about, learn, share, sell and buy, and provide a venue for advertising by suppliers of Shelby and Cobra related parts and service.

Gee, I think I just described "ClubCobra", pre-Internet.

It's a symbiotic relationship, for sure.

[Jamo]

Evan, when will you finally understand...it's not the car, it's you.

[turnpike boy]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Evan, when will you finally understand...it's not the car, it's you.

Oh, gawd, here we go again........

[John McMahon]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Evan, when will you finally understand...it's not the car, it's you.

"Its ok Evan....they all know you own a REAL Cobra....its ok, let it go....feel the love!"

[CSX 4039]

never mind

[What'saCobra?]

Hey, Little and others point out the most obvious shortcoming of both the new and the old membership companies.

There is little to no acceptance of Cobra replicas and kits, despite the excellence of each and the obvious flip/flopping of owners in and out of each type and category of Cobra.

This is no call for the SAAC Registry to include F5's or ERA's. But, if the intent is to convert sales of replicas to "real" of various types (Ford "Stangs, Shelby 500's, Shelby engines, etc), SOMEONE ought to provide some inclusionality to those replica owners that are obviously very potential buyers of newer machines. How many do you know own one or more of each at some time or other, and switch between them as the various markets rise and fall, along with personal interests and fortunes?

Sure, some of the replica provider/builders have their own clubs, events and even regulated competitions. Nice, that. Others have nothing and most have little national eventing. SAAC wasn't interested for the various obvious reasons. But, Shelby/FORD have very good reason to get connected to these people. It is mis-direction to focus only on the post purchase people, but additionally forget to encourage the current Cob owners to get "coordinated" street wheels.

Maybe this is too obvious to everyone and assumed. But, i think if Shel' wants to connect with his own heritage, there are many many more than 1000 "original" believers that love the cars and romance the story.

Would the clubs rather they move "up" to new Corvette's, Magnums and Mazdas?

[RedCSX1]

Originally Posted by What'saCobra?

This is no call for the SAAC Registry to include F5's or ERA's. But, if the intent is to convert sales of replicas to "real" of various types (Ford "Stangs, Shelby 500's, Shelby engines, etc), SOMEONE ought to provide some inclusionality to those replica owners that are obviously very potential buyers of newer machines. How many do you know own one or more of each at some time or other, and switch between them as the various markets rise and fall, along with personal interests and fortunes?

Sure, some of the replica provider/builders have their own clubs, events and even regulated competitions. Nice, that. Others have nothing and most have little national eventing. SAAC wasn't interested for the various obvious reasons. But, Shelby/FORD have very good reason to get connected to these people. It is mis-direction to focus only on the post purchase people, but additionally forget to encourage the current Cob owners to get "coordinated" street wheels.

Maybe this is too obvious to everyone and assumed. But, i think if Shel' wants to connect with his own heritage, there are many many more than 1000 "original" believers that love the cars and romance the story.

Would the clubs rather they move "up" to new Corvette's, Magnums and Mazdas?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT

SAAC, Has always been about real Shelby's, and that is the way it should be. Many in this Forum are bent out of shape because they do not feel included.

Again a club like SAAC has always been clear on its focus however its allowed the replica's to participate in some events like open track and car shows. If I was running the Club that SHELBY is promoting I would handle it the same way SAAC has as far as inclusion goes.

[rms427]

I have been a member of a Cobra Club since 1968. First it was Cobra Owners Club of America. This was mainly a local Southern California Club. The members held events and drove their cars much like the Club Cobra members do now. This was an all volunteer organization. I remember cranking out the newsletters on a mimeograph machine. Many like myself used their cars as daily drivers. I left California in 1972 and I think the club disbanded about that time. Shelby Owners Association started up around that time and it morphed into SAAC. Now remember that there are a lot more than 1000 cars since SAAC always included all 1962-1970 Shelby cars. This includes Cobras, Shelby Mustangs, GT 40s and Tigers plus a few other cars that Shelby had some involvement with. Total cars produced was around 15,000. I just added up the numbers in the SAAC Registry.

SAAC certainly helped keep the interest up when many thought these were just old cars. This helped keep a lot of cars from the crusher. Shelby did little for the original owners after he stopped building the cars. Why should he? He was busy with other projects. I can remember when a Cobra owner back in the early 70' couldn't get a windshield for over a year. The replicas have been a blessing since they have made it possible to get relatively inexpensive parts. This allows guys like me to still drive the cars since I know if I break something I can find a part to fix it.

I certainly do not look down at replica owners. In fact I find it great that they use their cars like we did back in the early years before the cars became so valuable. I also know that some of the replicas are better built than the originals.

SAAC is still worthwhile for the owners of original cars and those that like to see the original cars. As far as I know replicas are welcome at SAAC events especially local SAAC club events. I took my car to Laguna Seca when Shelby was the honored mark and out of the 200 plus cobras in the cobra parking area there were only a handful of original cars.

It sounds like the new Team Shelby will be mainly for current Shelby products. SAAC is mainly for original Shelby cars and anyone interested in original cars (this includes most replica owners), Club Cobra is for all Cobras and GT 40s. Each has a place in the world. I would guess that most of the members of local SAAC clubs don't have original cars.

Since it doesn't sound like Team Shelby is planning local clubs I think SAAC is still relevant to many folks including replica owners. It certainly is important to the owners of original cars. Remember there are probably close the the same number of original cars now that there were back in the 1980s.

I plan on remaining a SAAC member if for no other reason than they keep up the documentation of original cars. I am also a member of the local SAAC club but haven't attended many events. Most of the events I have attended in the last few years have been with Club Cobra folks. As I stated earlier I find the Club Cobra events to be more like the ones we had back in the original cobra club. I enjoy the low key environment.

Have fun, Ray

[RodKnock]

I would also have to disagree with Evan. SAAC was huge in keeping the marque alive and growing it. I just it needs to have someone new to carry the torch.

[hey,littlecobra]

Let's use me as an example.
I am not a member of SAAC. Never thought of joining. I've had my Cobra for almost 4 years. Got the new 500 7-8 months ago. So... am i part of the new 'target group' of TEAM SHELBY??

Has SAAC ever needed people like me?? With replicas, and original wannabe's??
Are there absolutely THOUSAND'S like me, who don't care anything about being a member of SAAC?? Is SAAC a dying breed to the 'old school' of Cobra/Shelby mustang collecting?? Isn't that happening across the board with almost all vintage collecting??
I surely can understand Shelby and his family/lawyers/handlers wanting to get ALL his entities under one roof. I don't think this has been handled the best way, but i certainly don't begrudge him/them the task of reeling things in. So SAAC had the licensing agreement. They've been lucky and fortunate to have it. I agree with somebody that posted above, don't remember who, that they've both benefited from each others involvement.
SAAC has in the past (don't know about now) supported and extended the hobby to the masses; Shelby needed them, altho' maybe didn't realize it. SAAC needs Shelby to continue to do the cars, be the legend to perpetuate their existence.
This is an evolving process and probably won't be as big a change as some are prediciting. Change of this magnitude takes a long time to happen.

I for one am not interested in paying dues and belonging to a 'club' that looks down on replicas, that might be elitist. IF the Shelby Team is going to welcome replicas of ANY manufacture, then they might just have something going. I haven't really read anything that says it's open to other Cobra's. Just the continuation, etc???
Just musing here.
I think i'm a pretty good representation of the 'regular joe' that has a replica and just wants to have fun with the zillions other folks with replicas. Organized clubs can really mess things up.
Kristen

[andy0935]

I am sure there are individuals within SAAC who may be elitist but I can assure you that is not the official club position. I do not profess to be a personal friend of Rick Kopec but I met him accidentally on a trip a couple of years ago and had nothing but good things to say about all entbusiasts whether or not they owned any kind of Shelby related car. In fact their slogan is "ownership not essential, enthusiasm is. The Norcal chapter has a corral at the monterey historics annual and at least half the corral is made up of replicas.

[REAL 1]

After reading Jim's post I agree with Jim. I do think there has been a symbiotic relationship between SAAC and Cobra fans/fanatics.

I, however, do think Shelby was not right in taking away SAACs licensing rights. They could have continued to allow that and run their own site at the same time. There is just something not right with taking away an organizations licensing that has done so much for the Cobra over the years. To me it doesn't seem like very good public relations.