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

[Cobrabill]

Cobraviper-carefull how much credit you give JZD.When he called down to engineering to see if the GTO"idea" could be done,the reply was:"when do you want to drive it"?It seems they already built the GTO before JZD ran the idea past them.Delorean surrounded himself with very talented people:Knudsen,Estes,Wangers,Roberts(Fireball).His talent lay in knowing how to bull$hit the 14th floor.Plus he was departed over 10 years from Pontiac before any of his "shennigans".The GTO reference is rediculous.

Back to topic:any Shelby owner(Cobra or Mustang),who thinks that giving CS sole ownership of all SAACs paperwork/records(and thus their hardwork)is a good idea,is out of their phucking minds.

[cobraviper_99]

Why is the vibe here getting so hostile?


"In fact...just WTF are you talking about?""
"Is this some later stage of CSXR angst?"

Isn't this the forum that implores its users to show "Respect, respect, respect"? What was it which I posted that was at all disrespectful to anyone, and yet I get the "CSXR angst" slam?

Let the record show that strictly because my bio shows I own a CSX, that information somehow gets pulled into the conversation as if the mere ownership of that car makes me some kind of shill for Shelby. I've repeatedly stated he may be the inveterate scoundrel so many people accuse him of being, but his guilt or innocence wasn't the crux of my comments. I'll try to connect the dots for you one more time.

Post No. 499 from C5HM is an impassioned denouncement of not only Shelby but Ford as well. He states he'll never purchase another product from either entity and the responses from subsequent posters are generally supportive of his rage. I'm not going to tell him he's not entitled to feel that way and I'm certainly not going to protest his sentiments. What I'm questioning is why haven't we seen that same kind of disassociation with other automobiles which were conceived, built, manufactured, promoted, and/or connected to men of dubious business practices and allegedly unethical conduct? I offered examples which I'll adamantly stand by.

Also, Cobrabill, the book "Grand Delusions" by Hillel Levin is a remarkably detailed account of the John Delorean debacle. It documents clearly that the idea for the GTO was first discussed by Delorean, Pete Estes, and Bill Collins while visiting a GM proving ground to see the new-for-1964 Tempest. Delorean would play the pivotal role in the styling and engineering of the GTO, and it was his joint efforts with Jim Wangers that resulted in the spectacular advertising campaign which launched the car to immediate success. The fact that Delorean's folly with his own sports car occurred years later doesn't disqualify the reality that he is yet another automotive icon who fell from grace, was convicted of serious improprieties, and cars which he is most identified with remain popular without the odor of his malfeasance.

Finally, I have never said that the "values" of any Shelby vehicles have been placed in jeopardy. I stated clearly that there are people who have opted to abandon their deep enthusiasm for the Shelby nameplate because of their disapproval of the way he has been conducting his professional affairs. As I've already professed, the builder's character--or lack thereof--isn't a part of the pricing dynamic in the collector arena.

I didn't come here to start a fight, only to point out what I consider to be an intriguing phenomenon. If owning a CSX makes me fair game for a ***** slap, can someone tell me what happened to the "Respect, respect, respect" concept?
__________________

[hwoods6617]

Lots of great points made in this thread and I probably missed some of the best ones as I skipped from page nine to here. As a kid and car enthuasist, I lusted for a Cobra, but never got close, Also wanted a Pantera. Had a 427 65 Ford Galaxie and a 71 Maverick with a 427 in it--who do I owe a royalty fee for that one? The Cobra is a great car, but just an adult go cart. According to the logic of CS and his lawyers, anyone who does an engine swap on any vehicle should be paying a royalty fee to someone, the first guy to drop a flat head V-8 into a old jalopy. Maybe I should try to claim the naming rights to that first hot rod and file suit against everyone who has ever built a fun car to own and drive. all the CS BS takes a lot of the fun out of the auto enthuasist play ground. I think it was Redspirit who pointed out the obvious, that Carrol did not design the AC cars, he did not design the Ford built engines and transmissions. He just told someone to drop a 427 into an English built car. Now anyone who does the same owes him money? Not meant to offend, just MHO

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by cobraviper_99

Why is the vibe here getting so hostile?

No hostility here.Just your GTO reference was out in left field.And the JZD reference is in the parking lot beyond the stadium.If Delorean ran GM today,in about 5 years,they'd be back on top.Conversly,if CS ran GM today,in 90 days they'd be insolvent and Toyota would own them in 2 years.
Your average auto exec would give his left nut to be able to put JZDs accomplishments at GM on their resume.The same can't be said of CS(Driving history is another issue)


Also, Cobrabill, the book "Grand Delusions" by Hillel Levin is a remarkably detailed account of the John Delorean debacle. It documents clearly that the idea for the GTO was first discussed by Delorean, Pete Estes, and Bill Collins while visiting a GM proving ground to see the new-for-1964 Tempest. Delorean would play the pivotal role in the styling and engineering of the GTO, and it was his joint efforts with Jim Wangers that resulted in the spectacular advertising campaign which launched the car to immediate success. The fact that Delorean's folly with his own sports car occurred years later doesn't disqualify the reality that he is yet another automotive icon who fell from grace, was convicted of serious improprieties, and cars which he is most identified with remain popular without the odor of his malfeasance.

JZD never dis-connected himself from a product and then 25 years later started yelling"Do over,do over"like a 6 year old at recess.
JZD-never tried to extort money from people
JZD never had a lawyer on speed dial

I've met McKellar and know Arnie Beswick & Jim Wangers.Trust me,i know what went on in the early days.
I'm not here for a fight neither.Just calling you on your Delorean comparison.

Digression concluded