Shelby American announces new car at B-J Gala

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Rick Kopec :
"I would caution any of you armchair engineers that before you start in with the snide comments about the new GT350, you should be thankful that somebody still has the interest to keep the Shelby name alive and to try to create a car that approximates what Shelby American did 45 years ago. Not duplicate it because that cannot be done. You can’t go back in time. But you can pay tribute to the original concept and that’s certainly better than ignoring it or forgetting it. The original GT350s were terrific cars that have become icons over the years for many reasons. Do we really want to knock them off the pedestal we’ve spent 35 years creating and putting them up on?"

Surprisingly defensive from a man who has owned an original for decades-I would say that act alone "keep(s) the Shelby name alive".

Please convey to Rick that my comments were not snide-they were blatant. Don't need to be cautioned. Further, I have failed to engineer any armchairs in my lifetime. I did however build a Cobra replica, which keeps the ERA name alive and I submit would pay fitting tribute to Shelby's original vision of what his cars should be.

This new car "pays tribute" to the original GT 350 like Madeline Albright is a "tribute" to Charlize Theron.

His point about not being able to duplicate it is overlooking the fact that there have been numerous 350-R clones built by reverent owners of base cars. Down to the relocated front arms, plexi rear window and bumperless nose. That seems a fitting tribute to Shelby. The only thing NOT duplicated by these is the CS VIN and MSO which as we all know today, is the franchise.

Please ask Rick: if he could only have one, which would he choose-his original or the new "tribute"? The new car will never be worth in the future what his is worth right now. Even though it's starting off at $63K. And the ol' Man ain't dead yet...

I see these comments on SAAC as damage control-Rick and the officers know the car's a crock OS but since everything was made kissey-face with the Originator (after the 'Team Shelby' war with SAAC) Rick felt the need to offer this drivel.

From above: "...you should be thankful that somebody still has the interest to keep the Shelby name alive"
We know that somebody is Shelby and his band of merry marketeers and lawyers!