Researching any info re: Paul Cunningham, Competition Cobra privateer

[1985 CCX]

Wow
Now that is amazing.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Wow
Now that is amazing.

So 2 original Cobras, CSX3052 and CSX3292, were consolidated into one original Cobra. Usually it is the other way around, where an original Cobra becomes 2 or more Cobras.

[twobjshelbys]

SPF does not build catalog alloy body cars. They have built some specials or prototypes. I was offered a in-house built alloy Daytona Coupe before the program was turned over to Shelby as the CSX9000 series. It was consigned by a person who surrendered a sizeable deposit and I could have bought it while still in progress for about 200K with power train installed. Instead I got the Ford GT because my wife, who hated the Cobra, didn't like the Coupe because it was "just a cobra with a hard top". Of course it had air conditioning, regular seat belts, etc but that didn't matter . The car has since sold for considerably more.

[USC_COWBOY]

Question for all....

What involvement did SAAC management have in the final disposition of the Air-Car claiming CSX2049 that is currently in the Netherlands? Who, what where when and how?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

Question for all....

What involvement did SAAC management have in the final disposition of the Air-Car claiming CSX2049 that is currently in the Netherlands? Who, what where when and how?

That would be a question for them, not us.

Bill S.

[USC_COWBOY]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

That would be a question for them, not us.

Bill S.

Why is that? We group speak on everything else. Why is it that whenever a question arises regarding SAAC or the management thereof is under the microscope, spines melt?

I am sure there are other discussions that have occurred and information is already public.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

Why is that? We group speak on everything else. Why is it that whenever a question arises regarding SAAC or the management thereof is under the microscope, spines melt?

I am sure there are other discussions that have occurred and information is already public.

When you say "SAAC management", it sounds like SAAC is a fairly large business. But it seems to me that its probably more of an enthusiast hobby for the people in charge and they must have real day jobs to pay their bills. There are a few thousand members and the annual membership fee is $50. Is the annual membership dues collected from all members enough to pay a single person's annual salary after you take out all the expenses for the annual magazine, running the website, etc. I don't know. It seems that registrars like Ned are doing this more for their passion for the cars than getting a few bucks out of it.

Anyway, outside of SAAC, it seems that CompClassics has some information on the lawsuit that got the title back to the guy who apparently bought the wreck. Maybe he knows that timeframe of when the lawsuit took place?

[CompClassics]

Deleted

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

Why is it that whenever a question arises regarding SAAC or the management thereof is under the microscope, spines melt?

It is a turf/control/transparency issue. When it's your turf, and you have control over it, you discourage transparency. Transparency has the potential of disclosing things you don't want others to see while having little upside of increasing your turf and control. It's the nature of business, and most things in life are basically business.

[USC_COWBOY]

Originally Posted by patrickt

It is a turf/control/transparency issue. When it's your turf, and you have control over it, you discourage transparency. Transparency has the potential of disclosing things you don't want others to see while having little upside of increasing your turf and control. It's the nature of business, and most things in life are basically business.

So....when it's to your personal advantage you clam up and when it is not, you seek transparency.

I would think that we all could benefit from some transparency and not linger in the shadows. Ha! JMHO

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

Why is that? We group speak on everything else. Why is it that whenever a question arises regarding SAAC or the management thereof is under the microscope, spines melt?

I am sure there are other discussions that have occurred and information is already public.

"WE" are a group of enthusiasts, yes, some of us are SAAC members, but "WE" are not "SAAC MANAGEMENT". Those that manage the club, or as they are known, the board of directors of SAAC, are not us, and we are not them. Hence my original response that you should ask them.

Perhaps:

http://www.saac.com
or
saacforum.com


Bill S.

[Nedsel]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

Why is that? We group speak on everything else. Why is it that whenever a question arises regarding SAAC or the management thereof is under the microscope, spines melt?

I am sure there are other discussions that have occurred and information is already public.

No spine-melting here. The car sold to the Netherlands as 2049 (a) had no parts of the original car and (b) was based upon parts that were stolen from Lanse Hasselrig, even though they ended up being tossed out. In as much as they were stolen, there was no legal passing of title. Hence we determined the car in the Netherlands was NOT legally 2049. But because a PA title accompanied the car, the new owner claimed the VIN. Authorities in the US do not recognize it as legitimate and have validated the title of the former owner in CA.

[USC_COWBOY]

Does anyone know what the real chassis number is for the Air-Car owned by Hart in the Netherlands?

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

Does anyone know what the real chassis number is for the Air-Car owned by Hart in the Netherlands?

Well the people in the Netherlands seem to still call the car CSX2049, so maybe they still have it registered with that number even though it would be a duplicate number? I don't know. It is possible that they were forced to change the serial number if they had to surrender the title, but I am just speculating here.

[twobjshelbys]

I still can't figure out what the motivation is here. He says he just wants info on his father's history yet I get the nagging feeling there is yet another 2049 slinking around in the shadows. (That car has been proven not to be, and since that one isn't, here's another that must be. But instead of proving it is, it'll be left to SAAC once again to prove that it isn't. If I were looking for a get rich quick scheme I'd turn to bitcoin instead of fakey-doo Cobras.)

[USC_COWBOY]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

I still can't figure out what the motivation is here. He says he just wants info on his father's history yet I get the nagging feeling there is yet another 2049 slinking around in the shadows. (That car has been proven not to be, and since that one isn't, here's another that must be. But instead of proving it is, it'll be left to SAAC once again to prove that it isn't. If I were looking for a get rich quick scheme I'd turn to bitcoin instead of fakey-doo Cobras.)

I am the he, the stepson of Paul Cunningham, there is no shadow CSX2049 here, the two seem to be in the Netherlands and Encinitas. Since there is very serious financial considerations there may well be another ghost car out there, yet to be revealed.

My dad's race career and CSX2049 history is my interest, correct and true, anything less is unacceptable. The current state of CSX2049 is seriously muddled, it needs to be examined closely and actions need to be undertaken to establish a true and correct history.

I just celebrated my 77th birthday, I am retired, living on my retirement income and in poor health, I would consider myself as being a poor candidate to build a replica or be a restorer.

[1795]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

I just celebrated my 77th birthday, I am retired, living on my retirement income and in poor health, I would consider myself as being a poor candidate to build a replica or be a restorer.

The offer for a ride and possibly being able to drive my 289 cobra on a track of my choosing in upstate NY if you are ever out this way is there. Just send me a message if you make it out this way. I would like to help you put a car together, but we are on opposite sides of the country. Good luck.

Just incase you do make it out here, the seats are tight, I only weigh 165 lbs so without knowing you, whether you would fit in the car is up in the air. I have some older racers that have tried getting in my car and it has not always been easy. I don't want to get your hopes up and have you make plans, only to find out that the seats do not fit you.

Jim

[USC_COWBOY]

Originally Posted by 1795

The offer for a ride and possibly being able to drive my 289 cobra on a track of my choosing in upstate NY if you are ever out this way is there. Just send me a message if you make it out this way. I would like to help you put a car together, but we are on opposite sides of the country. Good luck.

Just incase you do make it out here, the seats are tight, I only weigh 165 lbs so without knowing you, whether you would fit in the car is up in the air. I have some older racers that have tried getting in my car and it has not always been easy. I don't want to get your hopes up and have you make plans, only to find out that the seats do not fit you.

Jim

Thank you for your generous offer. I doubt that I will venture out of Southern California but if I happen to do so, I will definitely contact you. You are too kind.

BTW, it was a tight fit when I was involved with our Cobra.

I have been blessed in my life to have been a hardball catcher and an offensive tackle in football, trained and attempted to qualify for the Olympics in 1960 and 1964, the cost to me, my knees and low back. Two new knees and I'm still getting around.

Thinking back, I'd change nothing, some of the greatest life lessons were learned through sports. Desire, Dedication, Commitment, Team Concepts, and humility just to name a few.

Stay safe and enjoy your toys.

[1795]

Well we have a little bit in common, I trained and tried out for the 1984 Winter Olympics.

[Nedsel]

Much as we'd like to be "all-knowing," we aren't. And while I can't speak for all SAAC members (did you honestly believe I could do that??) I can represent to you that I, as a SAAC Registrar, do in fact pass along everything that we know about any given car. Is it always 100%? No, because many of the details about a car's build are insignificant. But what we know about ownership and any peculiarities in its history are plainly laid out. Have you read the Cobra Registry in its entirety?