Continuation CSX a "Kit car"?

[terry251]

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

[Nedsel]

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.

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by terry251

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

I already explained that one in this thread but.... those were the "completion" cars. In the early 90s, Shelby contracted Mike McCluskey to built a handfull of new Cobras, but told the public that he had leftover chassis from the 60s. So the new cars were issued 60s VIN numbers, and the cars were to be sold for 500k with the proceeds going to his charities. These were full running cars, BTW. Of course, he got caught lying.

The "continuation" cars started in 1996, when Shelby decided to fight against the replica market and start making the Cobra again, from all new. This time they were in "component" form. The cars DID leave Shelby in "kit" form, but were built and finalized by Shelby dealers for customers. The introduction of the 4700 series cars (starting with 4750) is when Shelby started selling complete rollers, instead of parts sent to dealers to be turned into cars.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

The "continuation" cars started in 1996, when Shelby decided to fight against the replica market and start making the Cobra again, from all new. This time they were in "component" form. The cars DID leave Shelby in "kit" form, but were built and finalized by Shelby dealers for customers. The introduction of the 4700 series cars (starting with 4750) is when Shelby started selling complete rollers, instead of parts sent to dealers to be turned into cars.

Are we talking the "prison cars" here??

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Are we talking the "prison cars" here??

I believe so .

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

The "continuation" cars started in 1996, when Shelby decided to fight against the replica market and start making the Cobra again, from all new. This time they were in "component" form. The cars DID leave Shelby in "kit" form, but were built and finalized by Shelby dealers for customers. The introduction of the 4700 series cars (starting with 4750) is when Shelby started selling complete rollers, instead of parts sent to dealers to be turned into cars.

Just a correction to myself here... before the 4750 cars, you could have Shelby build your 4000 series component car into a roller at the factory. Kind of the same thing as the dealers building them, you still bought a "kit" and then paid a Shelby dealer or Shelby themselves to build it. But it was a "factory" option to have it built in Vegas.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by terry251

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

I had asked about that in the saac forurm. And the article about Shelby being caught is here:

http://saacforum.com/index.php?topic=981.0

[terry251]

Thanks you guys; I was hoping memory had not failed me just yet. Sal, sorry I missed your earlier post. I intentionally did not visit this thread until today - only to discover I needed to read 10 pages of posts! I must have rushed past yours.

Terry