You have a keen sense of smell.

 

Ohhh I missed it....

 

For Me,...I would rather have the Shelby GT500 and cobra emblems on car,...than I would having any svt badging....as this is a "Shelby GT500" with the "mans name on it himself".He was making these long before svt....with the cobra and his name on it...The only thing better to me would be,...if Carroll himself would take these new Shelby GT500's and add even more of his style, flair and performance to it,...just like the old days,...but the only bad thing would be,...the price would be way to expensive,...but man what a ride that would be!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stang22 @ February 7, 2006, 12:26 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
For Me,...I would rather have the Shelby GT500 and cobra emblems on car,...than I would having any svt badging....as this is a "Shelby GT500" with the "mans name on it himself".He was making these long before svt....with the cobra and his name on it...The only thing better to me would be,...if Carroll himself would take these new Shelby GT500's and add even more of his style, flair and performance to it,...just like the old days,...but the only bad thing would be,...the price would be way to expensive,...but man what a ride that would be!
[/b][/quote]

I wouldn't want that. In reality this is the next SVT Cobra, the Shelby part is just really a promotional part. Carroll didn't really do anything other than let Ford use his name. Calling it Shelby is just to open up a bigger market with a higher price for the Cobra. Don't get me wrong, I love the Shelby Mustangs but it's just that I don't like Shelby getting all the credit of SVT and Ford allowing this just to make money. The Shelby's were the best cars of the 60's, but I grew up seeing SVT's and to me they are best performance cars out there for the price.

 

"why should Shelby get ALL THE CREDIT when it was SVT that built the car?"

I have been seeing this since the first rumors of the car being a Shelby first hit the net. Nobody said Shelby gets all the credit. We all know it was engineered by SVT. We all know it will be the best SVT to date. Why do so many people have a problem with it being called a Shelby?

Opening it up to a bigger market may be just what saves SVT. They are in the business to make money. Making a popular car is going to sell more of those cars and others within the mainstream line. They don't need to appeal to us performance enthusiast. We are already fans. They need to appeal to new buyers to keep the division worth the cost to the corporation.

This will still be the best performance car for the price and still be an SVT vehicle. They could call it the Aardvark and still would be just as awesome.

 

You make good valid points Kevin, although I have somewhat of a different perspective.

Adding the Shelby name will make it harder for those who have supported SVT since its inception to become a repeat customer. I consider the removal of the Cobra name a slap in the face to those who have endured SVT's short comings and are still the real fans, but that is besides the point. Had Ford extended a courtesy of some kind of incentive to those loyal suppoters it would be another matter. Ford has in essence not placed their priorities on loyalty, which might not be an item of importance at this time for those who have not purchased a SVT product but it will, once they become part of that selected group.

A few European automakers have at times shown their gratitude to their customer base by giving them preferences on limited edition models and making sure the dealers treated those customers right. That type approach works even if it is not a financial incentive, it makes the customer feel special which will ultimately lead to more sales. Ford has created a frenzy and done a great job with their marketing skills, but, as many frequently point to Shelby's 5 years worth of contributions and how the Mustang would not be as popular without his imput, the GT500 would not be a reality without the 15 years of SVT's research, production, and evolution.

Oh, silly me, I almost forgot. Add a little credit to SVT's loyal customer base.

 

George,

I agree 100% that they need to appreciate the loyal customers. I think the Powerlease was an attempt at that while managing to empty out the '04 stock.

I don't think removing the Cobra was a slap. If they had taken SVT off, that would have been a slap. Whether they call it Cobra, Shelby or BOSS, doesn't really matter. It was SVT's product and Ford's top dog Mustang. That is what is really important. The heritage name is just to keep sales up. They need that.

Also, they need to keep the SVT Customer Service line open and continue to support SVTOA. The company supporting the vehicle that I buy is one of the main reasons I am buying it.

 

....Shelby all the way baby!!!!!!!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/04.gif[/img]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crazyhorse @ February 11, 2006, 11:32 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
... I think the Powerlease was an attempt at that while managing to empty out the '04 stock...
[/b][/quote]
It was, mainly geared for that purpose. Its importance being minimal since it offered no benefits for purchasing a SVT vehicle outright or purchasing the same vehicle and financing through Ford Credit.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crazyhorse @ February 11, 2006, 8:32 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>

I don't think removing the Cobra was a slap. If they had taken SVT off, that would have been a slap. Whether they call it Cobra, Shelby or BOSS, doesn't really matter. It was SVT's product and Ford's top dog Mustang. That is what is really important. The heritage name is just to keep sales up. They need that.

[/b][/quote]

To you it may have not been, but to many others it was. Many loyal SVT customers have supported the name "SVT Cobra" since 1993, It may not matter to future customers what they call it, but it does to previous. It's not just about being a SVT product that matters, having it's succesfull name that has been respected for more than 10 years is important to loyal SVT customers.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Svtstinger @ February 11, 2006, 9:46 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
To you it may have not been, but to many others it was. Many loyal SVT customers have supported the name "SVT Cobra" since 1993, It may not matter to future customers what they call it, but it does to previous. It's not just about being a SVT product that matters, having it's succesfull name that has been respected for more than 10 years is important to loyal SVT customers.
[/b][/quote]
I understand the loyalty. My first Mustang was a Cobra. I have shopped for, test driven and nearly purchased every body style SVT has made. Each year, however, something came up to stop me (college, marriage, children). Now I can finally buy one again. I was going to buy this car regardless of its name. In fact, I thought the Cobra would be top dog and the Shelby would be the next SE (Mach 1, Bullitt, etc.). If both had been presented, I still would have bought the SVT car.

But, look at what we have now. We still have the car in the spirit of the SVT Cobra. Ford was calling it the Shelby Cobra GT-500 initially. They dropped Cobra because something had to be shortened. Dropping any of the other titles would have changed the marketing opportunity. The opportunity is there to bring a lot of attention to Ford by making it a Shelby. Ford needs that attention (read sales). I honestly don't think SVT would survive if it didn't kick it up a notch in sales. So, while the old man is still alive, why not take advantage of it and sell a bunch of cars.

In a few years after Shelby's deal is over, hopefully, they will revert back to calling it a Cobra. SVT will still be alive because they marketed well now and sold a boat load of SVT Mustangs under the Shelby name. Meanwhile, we still get essentially the same car we would have gotten if Shelby hadn't been in the picture. We win, Ford wins, Shelby wins. I don't see how anybody loses here.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crazyhorse @ February 12, 2006, 12:27 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
... My first Mustang was a Cobra. I have shopped for, test driven and nearly purchased every body style SVT has made...
[/b][/quote]
Then you understand my point about enduring its short comings which also included its performance, the exception being the '03/'04 models, designed to satisfy most with its out of the box power while being instrumental it the latest creation. Earlier models needed mods in order to fully satisfy one's taste buds. Not so with the Terminator and GT500, thanks SVT and those who supported it in keeping it afloat.

How do you think I would feel if I were to receive a letter from Ford thanking me for my past support and as a show of gratitude I would be given priority in its lastest product if I would be interested in it? For one, I would be kissing their butts the rest of my life.

I leased a 240 and a 850 Volvo for my wife in the 90's. I was surprised Volvo returned my deposit for the 240 and didn't request one for the 850 because I was a "repeat customer" and exceptions would be made including a handfull of free oil changes. It is obvious every auto manufacturer wants the consumers' business, Volvo just went the extra mile for it. In this day and age where money is the bottom line, Ford could serve itself by adding to the mystique of SVT. It should not make any difference if it would require Ford to build 50,000 GT500s. The exclusivity is not just restricted to the car, it is the organization and its closed knit members. It's like choosing a wife, perfection can take a back seat to compatibility.

 

I should have clarified. My Cobra was a '79 Cobra. Which was the point I set out to make, but, didn't end up putting in the previous post. The Cobra name and symbol have been used since the '60s. It is not exclusive to the SVT vehicles.

That is why I said I didn't consider it a slap to remove it. Cobra doesn't mean affordability, exclusivity and value. SVT does. That is why I think it is more important than the name Cobra. I'd rather see them make extra money by using an old name (Shelby) than save money by eliminating the very thing that makes them special (SVT).

I'm sure they considered totally eliminating SVT in the "Way Forward." Now they have an opportunity to save it by changing the name of the car to something a lot of people can identify with. I don't think it will bring 50k people into SVT. But if it brings another 5 or 10k in that weren't SVT fans before, then it just might justify the cost of keeping SVT. We may have lost some of that specialness as it is with the merging of SVT, FRPP and SVTOA. Hopefully, it will just make the division stronger.

George, I would love to see some more special treatment. I owned a BMW. They really cater to their customers. Unfortunately, that cost money. BMW builds that into the price with its free service while under warranty, free car washes any time you want and the other little things like that. I think this car should have stayed within the hands of SVT dealers like the previous SVTs were. However, I'm just happy it is available at all.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crazyhorse @ February 12, 2006, 6:52 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
... Unfortunately, that cost money...
[/b][/quote]
It sure does.

But how much would be made out of a good will approach? You've to spend money to make money. Sending a customer appreciation letter with a valid coupon of $500 - $1,000 off the MSRP to be applied exclusively towards a SVT product would work wonders for public relations and it would keep the factory going specially now that dealers' supply on the other Mustang models have caught up with demand.

Not only would previous customers appreciate that gesture and take advantage of the offer but prospective and interested customers would enjoy doing business with a company that takes care of its own.

A sales promotion of such kind would bring Ford additional sales and profits, even with a courtesy discount, that they would not get otherwise. It's is common sense and good business.

 

I like the idea George. Hopefully they are listening. Maybe they could offer your idea and give priority from the first run to previous SVT owners. Maybe they could even get SVTOA involved. BMW offers a discount through their auto enthusiast club.

 

...If there wasn't ever any Shelby's with the Shelby name and the cobra emblems,..there wouldn't have been and be,..any svt....I don't mind the svt emblem,but I rather see that in more of a subtle place on the Shelby mustang,like they did with the GT500....give me the Shelby name and cobra emblems like it first started out,as they look awesome. I have a feeling after the Shelby run happens for so many years,..then it'll be back to the usual svt cobras.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stang22 @ February 15, 2006, 10:46 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
...If there wasn't ever any Shelby's with the Shelby name and the cobra emblems,..there wouldn't have been and be,..any svt....I don't mind the svt emblem,but I rather see that in more of a subtle place on the Shelby mustang,like they did with the GT500....give me the Shelby name and cobra emblems like it first started out,as they look awesome. I have a feeling after the Shelby run happens for so many years,..then it'll be back to the usual svt cobras.
[/b][/quote]
It all started with Shelby, but, I wouldn't downplay the importance of SVT. They have taken the poorly built, moderately performing mid '90s mustang and made it into the beast that the '03/'04 Cobra is. Now they are the ones that are responsible for the GT500. If not for them, the current Shelby may well be just stickers and emblems.

 

That's nonsense. If anything, Shelby is back because of SVT. Besides, if it would not have been Shelby it would have been someone or something else. GM, Chrysler, even AMC were part of of the muscle car era and the performance revival by Ford is the reason why GM and Chrysler are getting back in it.

Shelby was a tuner not a manufacturer. And now he is nothing more than an over payed consultant and figure head. I'll take burningman's design ideas over Shelby's any day.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crazyhorse @ February 15, 2006, 1:04 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
It all started with Shelby, but, I wouldn't downplay the importance of SVT. They have taken the poorly built, moderately performing mid '90s mustang and made it into the beast that the '03/'04 Cobra is. Now they are the ones that are responsible for the GT500. If not for them, the current Shelby may well be just stickers and emblems.
[/b][/quote]
Now don't get me wrong,..I think svt has been awesome with their contributions,...I'm just trying to show a little respect for the man Shelby,..who started it all,....and svt was very instrumental in the new Shelby and previous cobras,...so if someone doesn't like the looks or performance of the new shelby gt500,...you have to look at svt!....as I know and talk to gary patterson from shelby automotive(vice president of shelby automotive),...and they with(real carroll shelby design and perf. mods)want to take the existing '07 shelby GT500,(that svt used shelby for his name mostly on this)and make it into an even more cool looking and performing Shelby(with the real shelby looks that he himself would be a part of).That's what I'm talking about,..real Shelby version are a cut above svt,....the only problem for me would be price,..as that was the one good thing I really like about svt,..was keeping it affordable.....but my man Shelby...Will make it radical!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img]

 

Ok, first of all Shelby didn't start it all. I gaurantee you there was many others that made high performance Mustangs before him, Shelby was a famouse race car driver & his modified Mustangs were quickly known because of the fact that he was famouse. SVT has gone farther with the performance of the Mustangs than Shelby ever did. Shelby's glory days were big but they soon ended, what has he done in the past 35 years? SVT has taken the Mustang & turned them into outstanding Cars. Shelby was basically just using Ford parts adding his own style to them. SVT wasn't created because of Shelby, they have no connection. The reason why SVT was created was because they wanted to make a high performance mustang for a affordable price. But it know seems that Ford is going against to what SVT stands for because of their need of sales. Shelby has been and will always be a way for Ford to sell their Mustangs for a higher price.