Shelby Owners Forum Down??
 

Anyone know what's up over on the Shelby Owners Forum. I have not been able to log on for 3 days now. What's up??

Gary
CSX4758

HI Gary, Yes it's been up and down for the last couple of days.
I get more info on what's going on with our cars over here anyhow.

Gary,

I've been attempting to post a "trip report" for the past several days and experienced the same problem. Prefer to post on their form but for the interim, this will suffice. I also have a CAV car (csx 4753) and although I've been updated weekly I was becomming extremely concerned with the numerous delays. Ergo the reason for my visit this past Wed. Flying from the east cost was no small task for me, the need to make such a trip was highly encourged by Gary Patterson himself. Wow, was I ever impressed. Gary picked me up at my hotel just as we planned and I spent the better part of the entire day with both he and Bob Marsh. Believe me when I say you've got nothing to worry about. The finish alone on these cars was far superior to my recently frame-off restored NCRS Top Flight 67 427/435 'vette. Equally as nice as the finish was the undercarriage and suspension,albeit they are still waiting on some rear compents. Although the entire work force was in the process of moving their entire facilities across the street, due to the need for more room, those individuals who were working on my car took the time to talk with me and explain what was happening as well as offering me some valuable insight for those operations that I will be performing. That trip was the best investment I made since purchasing my dream car. Believe me I was not dissapointed at all. A real class act. I'm at ease with this now having made the trip and can comfortably say that "the car will be done when it's done." I hope this helps alay any concerns that you or others have but if it doesn't you always have the option of scheduling a trip for yourself. I'm sure the folks at Shelby will be more than receptive to your visit.

Keep the faith,
Gary

Hi Guys,
Yep the last post I made on the Shelby forum was this weekend. tried to get on this morning and could not. I work in a production operation environment. My major gripe with Shelby Operations is that they don't operates like they are in a production environment. They should have had plenty stock for all parts needed to build these Cobra's. Waiting for Suspension parts should have never occurred. I was told that my Cobra 5766 was in production back in October 03 and they have yet to show me any proof of that. Gary Patterson does a good job, but in any other environment Bob Marsh and Brent Fenimore would have been fired a long time ago.

take care,
Morgan

Morgan,

I'm no "production" specialist by no means, but as I understand it part of the supply problem stems from the failure with the overall So. African venture. The parts missing were to have been supplied by So. Africa and not Shelby. As reported the first four cars arrived in various stages and to complete would have required Las Vegas to deplete their inventory thereby causing delays in those cars already in production. I was told that if you guys were that unsatisfied then they would refund your money. As always you've got options!

Gary

I don't think any of us would have a problem if we were kept up to date. This has been requested many times on the Shelby forum but respsonse's are few and far between.
I run my own business and understand delays and everything else that comes with owning and running a business. I also understand that keeping my customers informed is a very big part of it also.
I also understand a lost sale is a lost sale. I'm sure we could get our money back but we'd rather be kept up to date and have a estimate of when we might see our cars.
I was originally told my car would be at the dealer in january. I have one of Shelby's 427's and the transmission and everything else sitting at the dealers since Jan.
I am was told 3 weeks ago that my car will ship the end of may.
It hasn't even been started yet!
All's I would like is their best guess, nothing more.
A little communication goes a long way.

I spoke with Gary Patterson yesterday and he told me my car could be finished in a day or so if the suspension pieces show up. They are supposedly in route from Africa and as I suspected are comming by boat which could be a while sooooooooo I guess all I can do is wait. One question comes to mind. Were there any option on the finish underside of the hood. After speaking with Gary I found out the underside of the hood is coated in some kind of black wrinkle finish which I guess is going to have to do but after looking at the pictures of CSX4753 which was delivered to Newport Shelby you can see that the hood appears to be painted underneath as Ican see the reflection of the radiator. since mine is done...it's done but something the rest of you might want to think about.

Gary

The prototype SA Cobra also had the black finish on the underside of the hood. It was my understanding that all subsequent cars would have a more "finished" appearance. This would be a good question for the Owners Forum when its back up. Haven't been able to log on for a couple of days.