Researching any info re: Paul Cunningham, Competition Cobra privateer

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by sunman

... deleted a bunch of stuff here ...
He was kinda young to have will.

Actually considering that driving a race car in the early 1960s was considered a dangerous thing to do and having a college age step son, it probably would have made sense to have a will.

[1ntCobra]

Another thought: Is Kenneth J Grindley still alive? If so does anyone know how to get a hold of him? Maybe Kenneth might have some recollection of the major headache he had with a wrecked competition Cobra sitting around the shop for over 4 months that he wanted to get rid of with a mechanics lien.

[sunman]

Good point about probate the title was in both names and maybe in the shuffle contact was lost.
Using the lawyer shows good faith in resolving the issue legally.
The 1980 search is sketchy
The chassis that Cowboy has is a missing AC and is possibly another mans treasure

[Nedsel]

I remain open to any and all possibilities, especially since as the Registrar, it is the facts that matter. (I.E., please note my ego has no say in this.) One must remember that in order to put together a factual history of anything, one has to rely on things that are documented by a paper trail, photos, or other hard evidence. Speculation and hope simply don't get the job done. So I will look forward to any fresh details whenever they might be found and presented. At that point the Registry entry for 2049 will be updated accordingly.

[USC_COWBOY]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

I remain open to any and all possibilities, especially since as the Registrar, it is the facts that matter. (I.E., please note my ego has no say in this.) One must remember that in order to put together a factual history of anything, one has to rely on things that are documented by a paper trail, photos, or other hard evidence. Speculation and hope simply don't get the job done. So I will look forward to any fresh details whenever they might be found and presented. At that point the Registry entry for 2049 will be updated accordingly.

Ned,

Do you have a copy of, or digital version of, the Wesselink court case to review for factual information provided at trial? It seems to me that this should be a part of your official SAAC CSX2049 file since you refer to it in the history as iy now reads.

[USC_COWBOY]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

I remain open to any and all possibilities, especially since as the Registrar, it is the facts that matter. (I.E., please note my ego has no say in this.) One must remember that in order to put together a factual history of anything, one has to rely on things that are documented by a paper trail, photos, or other hard evidence. Speculation and hope simply don't get the job done. So I will look forward to any fresh details whenever they might be found and presented. At that point the Registry entry for 2049 will be updated accordingly.

Ned,
Do you have a copy of, or a digital version of the trial documents in the Wesselink court case you refer to in the current history as published in the Leaf Spring Cobra Registry? It seems to me that it is one of the most important documents that should be in the official SAAC Cobra Registry files as factual proof to back up the publication.

[Nedsel]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

Ned,
Do you have a copy of, or a digital version of the trial documents in the Wesselink court case you refer to in the current history as published in the Leaf Spring Cobra Registry? It seems to me that it is one of the most important documents that should be in the official SAAC Cobra Registry files as factual proof to back up the publication.

Suffice it to say, yes, and I have read them thoroughly.

[USC_COWBOY]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Suffice it to say, yes, and I have read them thoroughly.

So what then was in the court documents, I would like a copy of them, how do I go about that? Much has been said that relates back to the CSX2049 chassis, and you are in the opinion that the court was provided evidence to establish a paper title, please make it public as anyone who knows how can get a copy of the trial proceedings and findings.

Help us all out.

[Nedsel]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

So what then was in the court documents, I would like a copy of them, how do I go about that? Much has been said that relates back to the CSX2049 chassis, and you are in the opinion that the court was provided evidence to establish a paper title, please make it public as anyone who knows how can get a copy of the trial proceedings and findings.

Help us all out.

I do not believe it is up to me to release court documents relating to someone else's car. If they want to do so, fine.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Interesting story, which I've been reading since it was started. I sympathize with Paul's son, but I think too many years have passed to undo what has taken place legally. I do think Paul bought the car, but without legal paper, cannot be proven. Maybe he never finished paying, but more likely he said nothing to anyone and left the paperwork where it was never found. After he died, this wrecked chassis/car was pretty-much worthless except for the engine and trans. No one cared enough to file or chase the required paperwork after it was wrecked. Shelby American probably just scrapped the remains and that was that. No one ever would have thought at that time these cars would appreciate as they have. Only later did someone think to find the old title, which was probably forgotten. A few years later, someone had the idea to use this title to reconstruct a 'phantom' Cobra.
All speculation here, but I think the remains in their entirety were scrapped (less engine & trans) and everyone got on with their business. That left Paul's son hanging on...
CSX 2049 is surely a fake and should not be among the true Cobras, but that's for guys like Ned to determine. These are my thoughts and opinions, and are not to be taken as fact.

[Nedsel]

[quote=ZOERA-SC7XX;1499621: Shelby American probably just scrapped the remains and that was that...
All speculation here, but I think the remains in their entirety were scrapped (less engine & trans) and everyone got on with their business. That left Paul's son hanging on...
CSX 2049 is surely a fake and should not be among the true Cobras, but that's for guys like Ned to determine. These are my thoughts and opinions, and are not to be taken as fact.[/QUOTE]

Apparently, everyone has forgotten about the photos dated 4/67 with Lanse Hasselrig IN THEM (see post #38) as well as the photos submitted by Comp Classics of the dismantled car with just the chassis remains showing (see post #5). Clearly, in spite of allegations to the contrary, Shelby American never cannabilized the car and/ or sold off portions so other people could rebuild it.

[peterpjb]

does any of the registrars of SAAC or ACOC have inspected David Harts "2049", if there are original 2049 parts in it?

It occurs to me that David Hart own the parts
Hasselrig the title
and Michael unfortunately nothing...

just another speculative conclusion....

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

In all likelihood, Paul bought the Cobra on a handshake and never went back for the title. I myself have bought old race cars the same way (and have been burned).

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

In all likelihood, Paul bought the Cobra on a handshake and never went back for the title. I myself have bought old race cars the same way (and have been burned).

The Shelby letter about the mechanics lien states that the DMV was contacted. The car was paid off in full at the bank in August 1963. With a bank involved, I am sure there was a title that the bank held onto until the car was paid in full.

At least that's how how banks handle car loans today. The bank is not going to loan you money unless they can hold the title.

[1ntCobra]

Well I am terrible at keeping secrets. So I will show the back of the pedal.

The pedal with the prototype logo on the front has what appears to be Moon-Eyes and the number 2001 on it. I don't know what the significance of those markings might be.

[USC_COWBOY]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

Well I am terrible at keeping secrets. So I will show the back of the pedal.

The pedal with the prototype logo on the front has what appears to be Moon-Eyes and the number 2001 on it. I don't know what the significance of those markings might be.

I am about two miles from Dean Moon's place, a mecca for some of us.

[USC_COWBOY]

I've tried to be as open as I can be with you all, I've shared some really personal information and have opened up some old wounds. Previously someone questioned my state of mind and whether or not I could have coped with the family circumstances after Paul's death.

On his death, I became the male head of household, my mom was a mess )as she was at the track and saw it all, chased the ambulance to Tehachapi, dealt with the mortuary, etc.), now owned the family business that had recently been offered $1,000,000 by a competitor he used to work for before he went on his own, a six year old half-sister, a drunken uncle (Paul's brother), had to drop out of my sophomore year classes at California State College at Fullerton (about 10 miles from our home in Orange, California). I was able to be home at that time now as I now had no classes or job. I was not at the Willow Springs Race as my fiancee and myself were making our wedding plans for February 14, 1964. I read about his death in the Sunday Times newspaper, called home and confirmed with my mom that dad had been killed as I didn't believe it could be true. I immediately returned home.

Also, my mom moved back to Illinois in late summer, August or September of 1964.
That was the move wherein all of Paul's racing memorabilia was lost/stolen as it did not arrive in Illinois.

As new questions arise about my family I will do my best to share with you, within reason. I hope you understand.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

I've tried to be as open as I can be with you all, I've shared some really personal information and have opened up some old wounds. Previously someone questioned my state of mind and whether or not I could have coped with the family circumstances after Paul's death.

On his death, I became the male head of household, my mom was a mess )as she was at the track and saw it all, chased the ambulance to Tehachapi, dealt with the mortuary, etc.), now owned the family business that had recently been offered $1,000,000 by a competitor he used to work for before he went on his own, a six year old half-sister, a drunken uncle (Paul's brother), had to drop out of my sophomore year classes at California State College at Fullerton (about 10 miles from our home in Orange, California). I was able to be home at that time now as I now had no classes or job. I was not at the Willow Springs Race as my fiancee and myself were making our wedding plans for February 14, 1964. I read about his death in the Sunday Times newspaper, called home and confirmed with my mom that dad had been killed as I didn't believe it could be true. I immediately returned home.

Also, my mom moved back to Illinois in late summer, August or September of 1964.
That was the move wherein all of Paul's racing memorabilia was lost/stolen as it did not arrive in Illinois.

As new questions arise about my family I will do my best to share with you, within reason. I hope you understand.

Hmm, what if your father's family business was the legal owner of CSX2049, as opposed to your father being the owner? Could it be that Shelby employees are trying to call the family business about picking up the business's wrecked racecar and your company's receptionist answers the phone with "What's this nonsense about a wrecked racecar you keep calling about? Please stop calling me!"?

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Hindsight is always 20-20. We cannot change the past, even if it haunts us to no end. You know what you would have done NOW, but back then you were a distraught kid who lost his dad. I can identify with that, and I feel for you. You just can't change it, except for the disclosure of the 'new' CSX 2049, which is noted. You've done your best, and I for one believe Paul owned his Cobra at the time of his death.

[Alfa02]

@ Ned, anybody that's on this site is a 1/2 bubble off anyway But if we liked Edsel's maybe a full bubble I was too young to know the grill looked like a certain Lady's body part, I though COOL it look's like a car that sucked a Lemon, it had personally. I may have helped talked my Grandpa into one, he had a grand sense of humor. Cheers TommyRot.