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

[cobraviper_99]

My examples are based on the premise that devious morality and unethical business practices have been going on for a long time in the automotive realm, but this is the first time in my memory that members of an enthusiast group have lost affinity for certain vehicles because of those behaviors. The argument isn't based on "who's a car guy and who isn't." Incidentally, Ferrari was a "car guy" and actually raced before going into manufaturing. Delorean was a "car guy" who had an engineering background and owned quite a collection of expensive automobiles before the the bottom fell out. People are drawing a straight line between the car and its creator and history is burdened with instances where car-building scumbags have victimized others, but nobody has lost interest or infatuation with their vehicles.

As to whether interest in the automobiles in question became less desirable once the misdeeds of their creators became public, I'm not aware of it. We know the stat sheet on Ferraris; GTO's have never suffered from John Z's felony conviction while Deloreans have never been "must-haves" due to their wretchedness; ditto with the Bricklin. I'm doubtful that Mercedes has seen any substantial backlash from their WWII loyalties to the Reich--past or present.

I also have worshipped the Golden Age of Shelby as much as anyone and I'm not here to declare Shelby innocent of all allegations, in fact, that's not the issue. I have met, interviewed, and produced programming on Shelby on numerous occasions over the years and have always found him to be a cagey, perceptive, outspoken entrepeneur who has outlived many of his adversaries. But an angel he isn't, and he might be the first one to admit it. Having drawn certain images of him, I can understand how shooting the sh!t, getting a photo, or getting something signed will definitely create a connection between Shelby and his disciples, and that anything which sullies that image would be a hard hit to take.

And network guys know all that because we see it happen a lot.