Pro vs Con Re: CSX and Superformance/ERA

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Slither

Sorry, didn't mean to ruffle all those feathers. I just don't understand why the passing of Carroll Shelby NOW makes all the cars produced after his death replicas. Does that also mean that every Ferrari produced since Enzo Ferrari's passing is "just a replica"? It's the same thing, isn't it?

No. The reason guys opted for the Shelby is not because it's mechanically superior to other replica Cobras (it's arguably not as well built as the top of the line Kirkhams or ERAs), but it's because of the involvement of Shelby himself -- and you paid a healthy premium for that involvement. You buy a Ferrari because it is mechanically superior, not because of the direct involvement of a Ferrari family member. If an investment group of mine bought the Shelby name, and the rights to build a replica using the Shelby name, then how are my cars any different than an SPF, ERA, FFR, or any other replica company? The only difference is I get to use the name "Shelby," which has a better ring to it than "patrickt." But the truth is my cars are no closer to the originals than a Hurricane or Unique. Once you acknowledge that point, then it is a quick hop to realizing that the people that now own and run the Shelby company are really no different than if it were me running and building the cars (at least when it comes to being close to "the real thing"). Whether you like it or not, Shelby is no longer involved with that company... any more than if he had sold it to the Chinese.