Shelby: whats going on over there?
 

Here is the deal guys... I have been reading about all the things that Shelby has been up to lately, like buying Allen Development and the alliance with AC, and Carroll getting involved with Ford again. I am sure this is all good for the masses, but is it good for the history of Shelby. The Ford thing is cool, and the alliance with AC seems to be a fix for all the past indifferences that have gone on between Carroll and AC. IT is basically an elimination of the competition. The thing with Allen development is probably only to bring into house the engineering that Shelby has so badly needed for so long, and also because they probably got rid of the last of the engineering staff. The other thing is the promotional side of things at Shelby, because I guess some things never change, like stretching the truth beyond reason. Everybody and his brother knows that Shelby has never done $50 million in sales in a year in its recent history. The African, Chinese, and Mexico alliances for parts and materials is putting Shelby on level with Superformance and Factory Five. I still love Shelbys, but some of these things worry me about the future legacy of Shelby.

Dear Deacon,

I have a short response to your posting and will not waste any more time on your negative crap in the future unless absolutely necessary.

We are in the process of acguiring and or creating alliances with several companies that are in the performance industry.

We have not made any negative alteraions to our engineering staff since 2001 and have in fact brought on six new engineers over the course of the past six months. Allen Engineering is a very specifc and focused company and we do not plan to either alter their focus or change their style of business. Wake up, they develop supercharger systems for modern engines not develop cars let alone antiques.

On the public relations side of our business we are creating alliances internationally in order to compete with the world economy not just Superformance, Factory Five or ERA.

We live in a lot smaller world every day and we need to make the most out of utilizing our resources. The end goal is to get authentic Shelby Cobras in the hands of those that have desired them for years. This is not a knock against any other manufacturer or owner (we are all Cobra fans in one way or the other) but we feel the original configuration is our backbone and the only way to maintain it at an affordable level is to use those sources to the advantage of all parties to include the manufacturer as well as the customer. Quality cars at an affordable price is a rather old saying but still stands strong today.

As for stretching the truth I think you had better wait a few months before you call CS a liar, you never know what is just around the corner!

R Brent Fenimore

Brent,

Very tactfully and eloquently put. You restraint and good nature in dealing with those who only want to stir the pot is a breath of fresh air for this forum and it's members. Here is wishing you and yours a very happy and healthy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Bill S

I will follow Brent's lead and try to remain "tactful".

....which basically means I better keep my mouth shut on some of these issues. :D

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Ernie

Ernie,
Glad to hear the banana tree is getting ready to fruit out. When I was there they were everywhere, I think as erosion protection since so much developement at the time was on the sides of the mountains. That and pineapples. By the way, there were also some trees that had pineapple looking fruit(?) in their branches, what are they?
Woodsy

How much do bananas cost in Hawaii?
How about Hawaiian Punch?

TURK

Time flies like an arrow.

Fruit flies like a banana.

In that case, how much for the arrow and the fly?

Turk,
In the right place and with the wrong words, I think you can get a REAL Hawaiian punch free.

Mele Kaliki Maka (sp.)

Probably bread fruit, that thing that looks like a pineapple growing in a tree. There is also a "native" tree here that has a large fruit similiar to a pineapple that is not edible.

I get bananas every few months, 50 or so per bunch, one bunch per tree. A tree only fruits once, then it is cut down. At any given time I have 5 or 6 trees in various states of growth. SO many bananas I can't barely give them away!

........ never did like poi.

Ernie

Calm Down people...
 

Now Now People, lets calm down....

While I appreciate the response, lets do keep things down to a mild roar. I simply stated that in my opinion that Shelby past is its future, and staying true to its roots is a good thing. I want to go on record in stating that I do not believe that the product coming out of South Africa is bad or anything, but that it is not on par with original Shelbys in its origins. Everyone has the right to tell me that I am full of horse manure, but I also have a right to my opinion. I am all for building alliances around the world for material purposes, but don't have nearly the whole car built there. I am looking forward to what "NEW" things Carroll can come up with as long as they are in the light of the history of Shelby.

Like I said, everyone has the right to disagree with me, I mean heck this is what this forum is all about, is it not?


thanks

JMHO...I don't like poi either.

I'm with both you guys, I don't like poi either. My recollection was it didn't taste as good as the paste we used in school. I thought the banana trees around us grew indefinetly, you also forgot coconuts, used to love climbing the trees and dropping them down for midday snacks.

What the heck exactly is poi? And remember boys, this is really important- never, ever park your Cobra under a breadfruit tree; especially them alyu-minny-um ones.

Banana trees are like "weeds" they DO grow indefinitly. As fast as one fruits another pops up right beside it. Looks like the same tree, but it aint! It becomes quite a tangled mess eventually (if you don't trim and take care of it).

Poi is made from the roots of a plant that grows in a "paddy" like setting. LOTS of water! It is to the locals what potatos are to most of us. Most commonly served plain and AFTER it has "spoiled". Here in VERY FEW places you can buy fresh poi, and actually, thats not bad! Kind of sweet taste to it! But it spoils real quick!

Ernie

eh eh,,,,Hawaiian Hi-Jack now fully underway.

As I recall, after eating poi, all I did was fart all night long. Going back to the original post, Bravo to brent Fenimore to state his case. Although I also believe in the purity of the original Cobras, let's face it time goes along and oen must change with the time or get eliminated. No matter how authentic the Cobra is built today, it is and will not ever be the same as the original as it should never be. We all change with age and we must adapt. The good thing is that the Cobra is such a legendary piece of art that we are still hot about it. That's why there are replicas and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Why shouldn't CS built whatever he likes, however and wherever he chooses to be. If you've met his current wife Theo, you can understand the man is still wild and isn't going to retire soon. Take for instance the Mercedes 300SL, a true masterpiece of engineering and form. The new McLaren SLR is a spiritual successor to it but doesn't even resemble the original. So I salute CS for his new moves and look forward to what he has to offer. In the meantime we can enjoy whatever Cobra we own and be the king of the road when were driving it, original, replica, or duplicate.

Happy Holidays everyone

Shin

Now this is a post definitely gone astray!!!

I think Theo was his mechanic. It is Cleo!

TURK

Brent F,

Hats off to anyone (CS & Co.) or any company that can engineer, market, and successfully sell performance cars and products within a recovering economy. Even the fact that its growing is just incredible. Hiring more engineers? Anyone hiring anywhere in or for the USA is good news in itself - Congratulations!

A modern day Shelby Cobra to complete with the Viper and complement the Ford GT would be nice to see in my lifetime! :) But then again, its easy for me to excited about small facts like ShelbyCo and others are really making FE's again. The glass is definitely half full, or more, from my vantage point. :)

Theo or Cleo?

One is a wrench, the other a wench?

Ernie :D