Shelby AC Cobra

[brentfenimore]

All,

This post is not intended to insult or disrupt Cobra enthusiast or replica owners that visit the site but rather a brief explanation of why Shelby is offering multiple models of authentic (not original) 289 and 427 Shelby Cobra component vehicles.

Unlike any replica builder the Shelby Cobra component vehicle has drawn a premium price point since its conception back in 1996 in both composite and aluminum bodied configuration.

Our goal for 2004 was and is to produce composite bodied Cobra component vehicles at a price that is affordable to the masses by utilizing international resources while maintaining the build of the aluminum bodied (Kirkham supplied body & frame) Cobra component vehicles at a mid stream premium price point (“complete roller w/ paint” less engine and transmission at approx. $87,000).

The third option that has become available in the form of the aluminum bodied Shelby AC Cobra component vehicle has been in the works for several months. This product is not to be represented as an original Shelby AC Cobra but rather an authentic Cobra built by utilizing the resources of Shelby and AC. This model is being produced in limited quantity for customers that care to step up to the top level of the Cobra component vehicle market. As for the product being built from original tooling I am forced to clarify a well known fact in the UK in that multiple sets of original tooling were utilized by AC and their outside resources in order to produce the aluminum bodies back in the 60’s. AC UK has original sets of 289 (MKII) and 427 (MKIII) tooling at the Frimley facility and they are utilizing them for the production of the bodies on the above mentioned vehicles. The targeted MSRP on all models of these vehicles, less engine and transmission, is $145,000 FOB Las Vegas. Final pricing will be announced within the next three weeks but I must say that it looks like we will hit or be under our target at this time.

Shelby is not attempting to flood the market with multiple models or model numbers, we want to get authentic Cobras built to the original configuration in the hands of enthusiast and quite simply need to separate and call out the models for historic (e.g. SAAC Registry) and resale purposes period in order to be fair to all our customers.

Although we have run into setbacks on the production and delivery of the composite CSX4000 (designated as CSX4750 and higher) $40K units we are and will continue to use all resources at our disposal in order to deliver the vehicles to the quality demanded and as quickly as possible. If you are a customer with a deposit on one of our $40K units and wish to have your deposit refunded please contact me through e-mail so we can discuss the details. SAI has not and will not hold customers with deposits hostage simply because they were willing to step up and get in line for a product that has run into production delays.

R Brent Fenimore