Researching any info re: Paul Cunningham, Competition Cobra privateer

[Nedsel]

Michael, I am fascinated by your story and your efforts to retrieve the car from a murky past. However, you should know that the factory records we have indicate that CSX 2049, which is indeed the car in which your stepfather lost his life, was sold to an Ann Abiden of Riverside, CA and initially street-registered with the black CA tag JJB-499. It was later given to her son Albert and converted to a race car. He allowed two other drivers to race the car in competitive events in CA, including Ted Roberts and Allen Grant, between April and September of '63. The "entrant" was listed as Albert Abidin. It wasn't until October that the name Paul Cunningham appeared as an entrant in a race at Willow Springs, listing the entrant as Muth Ford. Following Cunninham's fatal crash, the factory records indicate that the car was requested back at Shelby American for examination, following which buyer for the wrecked car appeared by the name of Lanse Hasselrig. There are documented payments to the Abidin family over a period of months to enable him to purchase the car, as well as photos of him with the crashed 2049. These facts appear to be in direct conflict with some of your points, and it remains to be determined what evidence exits to support your recollections about this car.

[USC_COWBOY]

Ned,

I am well aware of the spurious claims made by those you referenced. I have extensive research and documents that disprove the fabricated story of our Cobra. The documentation you refer to can be easily 'manufactured' as all you need is some period correct invoice paper, period correct typewriter, and voila! you have what some would accept as supportive paperwork.

Our family was in possession of the Cunningham Cobra during the period of time you reference, Paul was the only driver of the Cunningham Cobra, there was never a Ann Abidin or her son at any of our events including registrations, tech inspections, pre-grid, post-grid activities, parties, dinners, etc. IMO, a pure and distinct fabrication. There was never a Muth Ford involved with our Cobra.

There well may be a story as you relate but not with the Cunningham Cobra.

Only non-family at any of the Cunningham Cobra events and activities were our General Motors Sponsor (Chieftain Pontiac, Los Angeles)and pit boss (Mickey Thompson) for our big modified entry, either the "Terrible Tempest" or the Kurtis Kraft; Powerine Oil Sponsor of the Cobra (Peter Rothchild and their PR man; mechanics and personal family friends.

In the crooked world of high value early Cobra's there never is a loss that is not exploited by the unscrupulous. My efforts are to respect my father and his history and not to squeeze profits out of a tragic track event. People that participate in this type of self-interest activity will surely burn in hell as I have prayed to happen and if it were in my power, I would cast a curse upon any project that emerges at the expense of a grieving family.

[Nedsel]

With respect to the possibility of "manufactured data" I would agree with your thoughts but for the fact that a lot of the data was retrieved from one historical collection and there was no possibility of dummied-up paperwork on most of the 2049 information. There are also period photos of the wrecked car that are not only dated (March '67) but have the current claimed owner of the car in them.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

Ned,

The documentation you refer to can be easily 'manufactured' as all you need is some period correct invoice paper, period correct typewriter, and voila! you have what some would accept as supportive paperwork.

Not to throw stones at your glass house here, but the paperwork in question that Ned is talking about most likely came from SAI (Shelby American Inc) storage area when they were cleaning it out and getting ready to throw it away. SAAC (Shelby American Automobile Club) jumped in and grabbed what they could, then spent years sorting and cataloging every little bit of data (some known to the public, quite a bit not). Ned being one of those tasked with this seemingly endless, and ever changing adventure.

With that said, perhaps you'd care to share some additional details of what you have, as asked for earlier in this thread. Even a current, well lit, detailed picture(s) of your "family heirloom" as it sits today might sway some to your way of thinking.

Bill S.

[Mr Barnwood]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Not to throw stones at your glass house here, but the paperwork in question that Ned is talking about most likely came from SAI (Shelby American Inc) storage area when they were cleaning it out and getting ready to throw it away. SAAC (Shelby American Automobile Club) jumped in and grabbed what they could, then spent years sorting and cataloging every little bit of data (some known to the public, quite a bit not). Ned being one of those tasked with this seemingly endless, and ever changing adventure.

With that said, perhaps you'd care to share some additional details of what you have, as asked for earlier in this thread. Even a current, well lit, detailed picture(s) of your "family heirloom" as it sits today might sway some to your way of thinking.

Bill S.

This is a very interesting story and I really appreciate how diplomatic you guys are, please continue in this fashion of using facts and not heresy to come to a conclusion.
Coming from the outside and looking in I have to agree old pictures and documentation would be very hard to disprove.