Shelby interview in Road & Track

[DTurnbull]

Atta-Boy, Buzz! You're absolutely right!

[Jamo]

You're absolutely right, Joewille...well said.

I think all of these replica-owning leeches are a bunch of ungrateful basturds, especially Al.

[bret a ewing]

Originally Posted by Jamo

You're absolutely right, Joewille...well said.

I think all of these replica-owning leeches are a bunch of ungrateful basturds, especially Al.

Hehehe, you crack me up.

[Excaliber]

Any replica, in the publics eyes, IS a Cobra. You cannot legislate public opinion. If you call it something OTHER than a Cobra, you will be misleading people. While the name is trademarked it's like many other names of products so common in the world. Pass the Kleenex, which may well be some other 'brand name'. Let's go get a Coke, I feel like having a root beer. The list goes on and on, the Cobra name is exactly the same. You can TRY to 'put a lid on it' but the genie is out of bottle. Shelby all ready lost the rights to shape and form, it is now in the public domain, as it should be. I simply call it what it is, a Cobra, there's no getting around it.

[Buzz]

Rolex and Ferrari never shut down production, closed up shop and went chasing tulli bullies in Africa.

Neither of them declared years later in a documented interview that they had no interest in, and couldn't understand anyone else's interest in "them ol' things" (the products they used to sell - and since abandoned)

Nor did they declare years later, on record, that they find the replicas popping up here and there kinda flattering since "- hell - we couldn't even give those things away towards the end..."

They didn't then witness the growth of the flattering replica industry and the resulting new, cult like popularity "them old things" began to enjoy and suddenly decide "Hey!! That pie you found in the garbage dump was - er, ahem, IS - mine and I want a piece of it! Just because I threw it away a while back doesn't mean you can have it! On second thought, gimme back all of it!!"

If they had, I would have no problem owning a fiberglass replica tribute 1961 California Spyder or a finely handcrafted replica stainless steel oysterperpetualdivemasterchronograph (just like Jamo's).

Since they never did, I will not indulge in or condone the piracy or counterfeiting of their products past or present.

As it is, my conscience is quite clear owning and driving my replica Cobra.

Having said all that, Ol' Shel is still the hero who (however unwittingly) orchestrated the production of what turned out to be some incredibly desirable cars. All he cared about back then was winning races. The cars to him were merely incidental components of that process.

How much of the old cars' current desirability is the result of Shelby and his magic dust aura?

How much is due to the cars themselves or the natural progression of relatively limited production muscle cars to classic collector status?

How much can be attributed to the Cobra replica industry's perpetuation of the marque or SAAC keeping the flame burning and the DNA pure?

No doubt there is a mixture and the mix varies from one model to the next.

Shelby can never be ruled out of the equation, like it or not, but he is not THE equation anymore simply because he voluntarily stepped out of the picture only to jump back in years later after the others had taken up the discarded mantle and done their thing.

A modicum of reflection, honesty and humility on both sides of the fence (arguably a bit more on one side than the other) could probably accomplish far more towards resolving the current conflicts than any amount of litigation and counter litigation could ever hope to do.

[SPF2245]

Hey Joewillie, good comments...but much like your Rolex example...Ferrari's have been copied for years, in the 80's the Pontiac Fiero was a popluar chassis to remake Ferrari's and Lambos. I don't recall any complaints by either manufacture. No, I'm sure Enzo would not sign the dash...but if he would, would he charge $200?!?!?!?!
As for my "fake", I sleep well at night because...well, it has a "Shelby" vin plate which through lawyers was settled and now installed on all new Superformance MKIII's and funny how now I can go to a dealer and see a "fake" SPF sold next to a "fake" Shelby continuation car (real funny if you read all the HATE Shelby intially had for SPF during the litigation process). I guess my point is this, the man never complained for what twenty or thirty years...with knowledge of what was happening. But now, I am supposed to support his complaints when the reason for the complaints seem like cheap shots at the people who have either kept his name growing, created the desire for a car he himself abandonded for the next two generations of hotroders or have simply protected his "real cars" through careful documentation. No, this old fart has no respect for anyone or anything that doesn't send him a check.

[Trevor Legate]

I also agree with the Buzz statement. Cheers.

The problem I've always had regards 'his' habit of giving two types of interview. When he talks to British journos, he hypes the good ol' AC connection, "without whom all this would never have been possible, yadda yadda" and then, just days later, will do AC down big-time to an American magazine ("winos under the bridge" (!!) and all that sh*t).

I also personally saw and heard him say a huge thank you to all the builders of replica Cobras since without their input and efforts in keeping the flame alive, the car would be lost and forgotten by now. And then he goes home to try to put them out of business. Puts a whole new twist on the term 'double standards'.

I also believe that you're never too old to stand back and take a fresh view of your life and achievements and look at the bigger picture. It would be wonderful if he could, but methinks he's just not that kind of character. I suspect that taking advice of any kind is pretty low on the list of priorities as well....

[powerslide]

Gee...Juggernaut, I hope we have cleared things up for you!

[Juggernaut]

Originally Posted by powerslide

Gee...Juggernaut, I hope we have cleared things up for you!

I now see that a LOT of people on the forum have the same opinion of CS as I do.

I'd rather have Jay Leno sign my Cobra than that old guy!

[kurtmart]

SPF2245

Ferrari sued everybody who made reps. Fieroes, Corvette based Daytonas etc. "Miami Vice" used a Mcburnie Daytona Replica as Sonny's groovy ride on the show, this pissed off Ferrari.
They put McBurnie out of business and gave the show a batch off real Testarossa's for the show. Anyone copying these designs is living on borrowed time.
Now, someone needs to explain how the porsche speedster guys get away with it.

[STG]

Originally Posted by kurtmart

SPF2245


They put McBurnie out of business and gave the show a batch off real Testarossa's for the show. Anyone copying these designs is living on borrowed time.

Now, someone needs to explain how the porsche speedster guys get away with it.

I believe Tim McBurnie is alive and well and dba as Thunder Ranch building ..... wait for it .... Porsche Spyder replicas.

Porsche has never had a problem with replicas and I seem to recall at least one major show where a replica builder was invited to put one of his cars on Porsche's stand.

[bret a ewing]

CS seems to be getting more grumpy by the day, Proziac in his Ensure would benifit everyone.

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by bret a ewing

CS seems to be getting more grumpy by the day, Proziac in his Ensure would benifit everyone.

So would a little prune juice!

[BDHE]

Hey Joewillie;

First, let me say that I respect everyone's right to an honest opinion. Having said that....

I couldn't help but notice a peculiar thing.

You have exactly four posts listed to your name, and all four take a rather definite stand on one side of the issue. Seems odd given that "Joewillie" didn't exist on CC until February of this year.

Forgive for asking, but just what kind of cobra do you own?


Bryon

[gt500bill]

Originally Posted by BDHE

Hey Joewillie;

You have exactly four posts listed to your name, and all four take a rather definite stand on one side of the issue. Seems odd given that "Joewillie" didn't exist on CC until February of this year.

Bryon

Maybe Amy B. In disguise...........

[amy B]

Originally Posted by gt500bill

Maybe Amy B. In disguise...........

I just read this, I am sure it was a joke, but for the record it is not me. I have no reason to use any other id then the one I have


Amy

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by BDHE

Hey Joewillie;

First, let me say that I respect everone's right to an honest opinion. Having said that....

I couldn't help but notice a peculiar thing.

You have exactly four posts listed to your name, and all four take a rather definite stand on one side of the issue. Seems odd given that "Joewillie" didn't exist on CC until February of this year.

Forgive for asking, but just what kind of cobra do you own?


Bryon

Badges? Badges? We don't need no stinking badges.

[Dan Stryffeler]

We should pitch this to the TV networks... A new reality show.

Put CS, the SAAC guys, a few reporters, a lawyer and some of the more passionate members of this site on a desert island for a month and watch'em plot to destroy each other, re-hash history, file suits and trash talk.

If people watch Trump, or Dancing with the Stars - they'll watch this

[Joe Wicked]

LOL, hit series right there. What about follow up seasons?

[Johnson]

Originally Posted by Joewillie

Do you put Shelby down because you build replicas and call them Cobras? What do you think of putting a Rolex name plate on a watch that is not a Rolex? Is that okay in your book? Could you justify your actions based on a theory that Rolex outsourced parts from other manufacturers and you can do the same thing? Can you justify these actions on the basis that Rolex doesn't really build a watch, anyway? Why don't you buid your own car and call it something besides a Cobra? Why do you capitalize on the iconic name of Cobra, the cars built by Carroll Shelby? Or, try this. Build a kit car and slap a Ferrari badge on the nose. Do you think Ferrari will stand idly by? Would Enzo, when he was alive, have autographed the glove box door for you? Do you share the same opinion as the thieves who buy a copy of a movie DVD or an artist's CD when no royalties are paid? Is this okay with you, too? People say, I can't afford a Cobra, so I have to buy a replica. Okay, well go out and buy a replica Rolex off the streets of New York. I have a friend that has a replica of a gold Rolex Daytona and the gold is 18 karat. The movement is even Rolex. He got it from a friend at the factory. But, you know what? It wasn't built by Rolex. It's a fake. It keeps great time. It was built by skilled artisans, so it looks great, too. But, it will never be a Rolex. The same goes for Cobras. Your kits will never be a Cobra. They are fakes. But, icredibly, Al Adkins claims the fakes havehelped along the real Cobras through flattery. He evens says Shelby hates replicas but builds them. So, let me ask youi Al, does this justify coying what Shelby has done including his name badge? Those street vendors in New York must be flattering Rolex, then. Of course, they are illegal. There are all manner of knock-off's of real merchandise.

Originally Posted by kurtmart

SPF2245

Ferrari sued everybody who made reps. Fieroes, Corvette based Daytonas etc. "Miami Vice" used a Mcburnie Daytona Replica as Sonny's groovy ride on the show, this pissed off Ferrari.
They put McBurnie out of business and gave the show a batch off real Testarossa's for the show. Anyone copying these designs is living on borrowed time.
Now, someone needs to explain how the porsche speedster guys get away with it.

Although I am not a lawyer, I do have somewhat to say concerning the Joewillie and Kurtmart posts, I understood that if a T.M is not used for a period of three years, it is considered abandoned. In the case of Rolex fakes, Rolex has not ceased production, and has patents covering the internal workings; therefore anyone reproducing a Rolex is in violation of TM and patent laws. In order to prove non abandonment a TM holder must prove intent to resume the TM use. In the case of Ferrari v. McBurnie Coachcraft, McBurnies demise in court came from two main sources, first he marketed his kit as a California Daytona Spyder (Similar to marketing a replica Cobra as a "Shelby Cobra"), and second although Ferrari had no intention of resuming production on the Daytona Spyder they did however show goodwill associated with the vehicle and “evidence of ongoing parts support for the vehicle”. CS far exceeded the three year time span, not offering any support for “The Vehicle” (Cobra) and its trade dress; therefore I see no resemblance between a replica Cobra and a replica Rolex.