That's because those of us on the East Coast get tired about now....:p

Amen! Time for the Aussies to chime in.

Cars & Parts
 

We can agree to disagree, I apologize if I made this sound personal, that's not my intent. I'm aware of the Series 1 Shelby built for a while, it's unclear why he stopped but it's never just one thing that spoils a business, so it was probably lack of sales, engineering and manufacturing costs, and US regulations for safety and emissions.

Shelby is probably not building something at this time that they are getting or could get certified by the US government that they can sell as a car, so in that sense they are not an automobile manufacturer (That's the definition I am using)

We probably should not argue about who spends/wastes more time on the web :) it could get us both in trouble.

I have researched the kit car laws in a number of states but not all of them. The point I am trying to make is I do not think any of the states allow you to register a "new" kit car that you bought from a factory already turned into a car, because then it's not a "kit" car, it's a manufactured car that is subject to the US Government's laws regarding safety and emissions. As some kit car builders try and give you more and more of a completed product it could get problematic in the eyes of the law. That's why Shelby does not sell new "cars." They sell parts or parts, put together to some extent.

Dave and Mark Smith at FactoryFive are great guys. I've met Dave a number of times and he truly is a great person. I would love to build one of their cars someday. Probably not a Cobra though, I like ERA.

My Mustang has an Automatic in it, so I don't know much about the Toploader other than the one you have makes yor car more enjoyable to drive on the street as opposed to the close ratio, and I hope I have the fortitude to put a Richmond in mine but there is such a center of gravity around using a Toploader that I may end up with the same transmission as you in my Cobra.

Shelby essentially sell's a 'turn key' car with engine and trans etc. because it goes through two separte 'business', which is the key to making the legal process work. Build the car at business A and then have an affiliated business (B) drop in the engine and trans.

I wonder how Foose and some other custom hot rod builders work within the legal framework to sell a 'turn key'? Very tricky that part of the business...

I have no sympathy for any of you. All of you say it's tough explaining to someone what your (fill in the blank) is. Too bad. Wait until you bring a '66 AC to an event and people start asking questions. "Is this a Cobra?" "No. It's an AC 289 Sports." "Oh, so it's a replica." "No, it's a '66 AC." "But who built it?" "AC." "Who is AC? Do they build kits?":confused: "Not that I know of." Soon, it's a lot like "Who's on first?" and it usually ends with a lot of head-shaking, eye-rolling, and shoulder-shrugging. Which may not be all that unusual for many of you. Life is tough; suck it up. ;)

I always thought that was a pretty cut and dry one Ned. Just tell them Shelby sold them in the US and AC sold them in the UK. That's what I usually tell people on that subject, and it seems to work fine.

Now try telling someone your Cobra is a real Shelby, made by Shelby, but it's not an original 60s car. THAT'S when you get the funny faces. :JEKYLHYDE

I sold mine to avoid the confusion

LOL, me too!

Well that was interesting, walking in Ned's shoes for a moment. I guess there is just no way around the 'story' that MUST accompany these cars in some way. :LOL:

:confused:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...id/kitcar1.jpg

Excaliber - um, about those shoes: what did you step in? Gee whiz.

And if Kit Car magazine had a picture of Shelby's "NEW COBRA" on its cover, does that automatically make it a kit car?

Ned, I bet your tongue just sliced through your cheek as if it was a wet newspaper!

I don't know, what is your opinion on it? ;)


Bill S.

Bill - I don't know either. But the thought occurred to me, why not ask the question and give folks a chance to discuss something that has never been covered here previously? :eek:

So Ned, you are suggesting that we dare ask the question, "Is a Continuation CSX a Kit Car?"

Hmm, ... does anyone remember the what the title of this thread is? :confused: :JEKYLHYDE

I'm going to go the whole route. I don't have a glove box so I'll have a painter airbrush a simulated one on so I can have someone else do a simulation of Carroll Shelby's signature on it.

Ned,

Are you running for a political office, as your response was top notch and puts you a step above the rest of the political hacks in California (my cousin included):rolleyes:


Bill S.

Ned, I just hadn't considered the possibility of having to explain an original. All though, being an AC example, yeah that would complicate matters. Your post was an eye opener for me.

I look forward to replacing my current Cobra emblems with AC emblems, that should really make for an interesting 'story line'. :LOL:

Am I wrong in recalling that Shelby announced he "found" a bunch of unused, original frames (with VINS??), so he decided to launch the "continuation" series? Or was that just some of the marketing creativity at the time? Or maybe my failing memory?

Terry

No, Terry, you are right. Problem was, it was found that those "leftover chassis" had been made last week, so they weren't exactly as Old Shel was describing them. That led to some interesting repercussions from the state of CA as well as the Federal DMV.

Excaliber, it's fun to have AC emblems on the car, and no Cobra or Powered by Ford badges. Enough people know what a Cobra is that they kind of slide up to you and ask, "So, is that a Cobra?" This, of course, is in preparation for them to hit you with the zinger, "Is it REAL?" And naturally they are expecting you to squirm a little and say something like, "Uh, well, not exactly, but you see, it's ..." What's fun is when you respond to their first question ("Is that a Cobra?") with an emphatic "NO." They look at you like you probably shouldn't be out wandering the streets by yourself. And it leaves them almost no place to go. I enjoy it.