What happened to the Brock Coupe?

[Cobra Lite]

Originally Posted by SunDude

I find this thread confusing. Why even ask the original question? Was Pete Brock getting a commission on each SPF unit sold with his name on it? If not then I don't see the problem. Hi-Tech Automotive continues to produce/sell the CSX9000 coupes (formerly known as the SPF Brock Coupe and the SPF Daytona Coupe), so as far as I can tell no one's getting screwed. Maybe just the customer, who now has to pay a bit extra for the Shelby name, but otherwise...

The reason I asked is that I remember all the articles and talk about Brock wanting no part of a another clone of the Daytona Coupe until going to SA and visiting the factory, seeing the level of quality and being persuaded to design a new car. That Brock wanted the original chassis engineer involved, and that he wanted to make, not another replica, but a better car, the one he wished he could have built back then.

Then there were the big advertisements and test drives in the magazines about the "New Brock Coupe". Soon after that, nothing. And now they are building and selling the "Shelby Coupe" with little mention of Brock.

So, is the car that is now called the Shelby/Daytona Coupe the new Brock design or is it a replica of one of the originals? From the replies so far, it sounds to me like it is the NEW car that Brock designed and that Shelby cut Brock out, and is getting the royalties. (Of course Brock would have received payment for his work, either a lump sum payment, or more likely a set fee per vehicle) I can guess that The Salesman threatened to sue like he so often has done in order to cut Brock out and get his name put in. And no doubt the royalties that he gets on everything.

Sad what he has become.
(sort of like what would have been remembered of Elvis if he had lived longer)

I just hope that Brock gets credit and reaps the rewards for his design.

As for putting AC out of business, there are always many contributing factors I agree. But Shelby certainly didn't help the company that supplied the cars that made him famous. Climbing the ladder by stepping on others is not the best way to be remembered.

Which does raise the question, what does Pete Brock have to say about his old boss and friend? Probably nothing publicly as Brock is a real nice guy.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by Cobra Lite

So, is the car that is now called the Shelby/Daytona Coupe the new Brock design or is it a replica of one of the originals? From the replies so far, it sounds to me like it is the NEW car that Brock designed and that Shelby cut Brock out, and is getting the royalties. (Of course Brock would have received payment for his work, either a lump sum payment, or more likely a set fee per vehicle) I can guess that The Salesman threatened to sue like he so often has done in order to cut Brock out and get his name put in. And no doubt the royalties that he gets on everything.

Sad what he has become.
(sort of like what would have been remembered of Elvis if he had lived longer)

I just hope that Brock gets credit and reaps the rewards for his design.

As for putting AC out of business, there are always many contributing factors I agree. But Shelby certainly didn't help the company that supplied the cars that made him famous. Climbing the ladder by stepping on others is not the best way to be remembered.

Which does raise the question, what does Pete Brock have to say about his old boss and friend? Probably nothing publicly as Brock is a real nice guy.

Is the new Shelby Coupe going to be significantly different than the SPF Coupe? I thought they were basically just re-badging it...but I have no idea.

Also, does anyone really know if there was any financial/royalty arrangement with Brock? He could have just been a hired gun to design it and was paid a fee.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

Is the new Shelby Coupe going to be significantly different than the SPF Coupe? I thought they were basically just re-badging it...but I have no idea.

Actually,

There are many differences now: The suspension has been revised, the seating posistion has been changed, the windows are now power, there are exterior door handles (not just the remote power door "poppers") the wheels are different with revised offsets and more "dish" to them and most important is is NO LONGER A SUPERFORMANCE PRODUCT You can only buy them from Shelby dealers now so my idea of having a Brock coupe demo goes down the dunny.