Shelby's Ultimate Insult...
Dethroned Nascar Guru
Joined: January 30, 2004
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Point taken. I guess it depends on how bad you want to expunge everything "shelby" from the car, including the Cobra emblem (first seen on the 1967 Shelby GT 350 and GT 500), the LeMans stripes (1st seen on the 1965 Shelby GT 350), the quarter windows (introduced on the 1966 Shelby GT 350), and the front fascia (based on the look of the front of the 1968 GT 500).
V6 Member
Joined: August 16, 2007
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As a person who was at one time interested in joining SAAC, the things that turned me off besides the perceived attitude or "clique" (whoever noted that people tend to stick together is right . . . and that's not being critical, it's reality) was the fact that you really didn't get much for your $40 or $50 per year in dues. No website, an alleged newsletter, and unless you had a vintage car, no real emphasis or attention to your car.
I can't blame Shelby if he didn't like the way things were going and if he thought he can and should do it better for people rabidly dedicated to his products. Yeah, SAAC kept his memory alive and improved values and the image of those cars, but let's not forget whose idea it was in the first place to make the cars.
Mike Judge, the guy who created Beavis and Butthead, in answering Dave Letterman's question that "couldn't anyone draw those stupid little guys and become a millionaire?" = Maybe, but I thought of it first. Shelby thought of the Cobra and GT 350 / GT 500 first, whether it was pure genius or dumb luck. It's now his legacy to oversee and reap the benefit of.
I'm not saying quality control and his reputation are the *only* reasons he may have wanted control, but that alone would be enough for me.
I can't blame Shelby if he didn't like the way things were going and if he thought he can and should do it better for people rabidly dedicated to his products. Yeah, SAAC kept his memory alive and improved values and the image of those cars, but let's not forget whose idea it was in the first place to make the cars.
Mike Judge, the guy who created Beavis and Butthead, in answering Dave Letterman's question that "couldn't anyone draw those stupid little guys and become a millionaire?" = Maybe, but I thought of it first. Shelby thought of the Cobra and GT 350 / GT 500 first, whether it was pure genius or dumb luck. It's now his legacy to oversee and reap the benefit of.
I'm not saying quality control and his reputation are the *only* reasons he may have wanted control, but that alone would be enough for me.
Post *****
Joined: February 3, 2004
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Point taken. I guess it depends on how bad you want to expunge everything "shelby" from the car, including the Cobra emblem (first seen on the 1967 Shelby GT 350 and GT 500), the LeMans stripes (1st seen on the 1965 Shelby GT 350), the quarter windows (introduced on the 1966 Shelby GT 350), and the front fascia (based on the look of the front of the 1968 GT 500).
SVT Cobra
Shelby GT
Mustang GT
AKA 1 BULLITT------------ Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 7,738
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From: U S A
Dethroned Nascar Guru
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My only issue is with the name. I think the GT500 is a perfect blend of product development from SVT over the past decade and styling features you mentioned above of those wonderful Shelby's of yesterday. Just seems more fitting to me to have lineup of (Bullitt and GT/CS excluded for purposes of thread title). .
SVT Cobra
Shelby GT
Mustang GT
SVT Cobra
Shelby GT
Mustang GT
AKA 1 BULLITT------------ Legacy TMS Member
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From: U S A
Mach 1 Member
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I have said this a few times before. Carrol Shelby as been and always will be a marketing tool. I wish that I could have saved, or taped the interview that I watched with him. He actually explains that when Ford contacted him, he called someone else and "THEY" told him how to turn the mustang into a racer. I so wish I could remember who he said. With that being said, even in the beginning it was never Shelby's idea (it was Ford's) to do anything to the mustang. If my memory serves correclty he actually thought it was a bad idea to begin with. Would I love to have the opportunities Shelby had been given? Sure! I just don't like it when people want to idolize someone for one thing when their role was something completely different.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: February 8, 2004
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From: Cincinnati, OH
On topic - there is an extensive discussion going on about this at the Club Cobra forum. It has information from Amy Boylan as well as people who are existing SAAC members. It is quite a read.
Dethroned Nascar Guru
Joined: January 30, 2004
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I have said this a few times before. Carrol Shelby as been and always will be a marketing tool. I wish that I could have saved, or taped the interview that I watched with him. He actually explains that when Ford contacted him, he called someone else and "THEY" told him how to turn the mustang into a racer. I so wish I could remember who he said. With that being said, even in the beginning it was never Shelby's idea (it was Ford's) to do anything to the mustang. If my memory serves correclty he actually thought it was a bad idea to begin with. Would I love to have the opportunities Shelby had been given? Sure! I just don't like it when people want to idolize someone for one thing when their role was something completely different.
Shelby explained, "Iaccoca called me and said, "Shelby, I want to make a high performance version of the Mustang. What do you have to do?" Shelby knew he could do it but he also knew he didn't want to take it on. He had attended several introductions with Iaccoca and he had gotten to know what the car was. "That's a six cylinder car" he told Iaccoca, "a secretary's car with a three-speed gear box. That'd cost a lot of money," he went on. "How much?"..."I told him , 'It'd cost fifteen thousand dollars.' "'You got it,' Iaccoca said, and they sent me two cars to work on. Then a few days later Ray Geddes called me up and told me the bean counters had looked at the deal and changed things. All we have is fifteen hundred dollars. That's all. So I went to Goodyear and got five thousand dollars and I went to Castrol and got another five thousand. And that's were the first GT350 came from. Ford didn't even pay for it."
Dethroned Nascar Guru
Joined: January 30, 2004
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Yeah, thanks, and I didn't ask you for your SSN.
On topic - there is an extensive discussion going on about this at the Club Cobra forum. It has information from Amy Boylan as well as people who are existing SAAC members. It is quite a read.
On topic - there is an extensive discussion going on about this at the Club Cobra forum. It has information from Amy Boylan as well as people who are existing SAAC members. It is quite a read.
Closet American
Joined: July 17, 2005
Posts: 5,851
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From: Vancouver, BC (Hollywood North)
Mach 1 Member
Joined: April 27, 2004
Posts: 551
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Thanks for that quote. I have seen that quote in a few of the books that I have. I actually saw an interview on TV recently, where Shelby said some of those same things. However, he also mentioned a specific person that he called and they "told" him what he needed to do with the car.
Bullitt Member
Joined: October 12, 2004
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This discussion is no different or better than a discussion on religion or politics. It's all based on opinion and perspective, much of which has a personal bias, recognized or not.
My perspective is that Shelby is a businessman first and he hired a marketing smart business woman to bring his company back from the dead (which is where it was after the Series 1 cars). They are maximizing the opportunities available (while they are hot) as well as protecting thier intellectual capitol (the Shelby name and Brand).
If you look at thier moves from a business standpoint, it all makes sense (at least it does to me).
Before you flame me, I'm not a Shelby apologist. I am a fan and I'm glad they are building cars and parts. It's a great time to be a Mustang lover and I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts
My perspective is that Shelby is a businessman first and he hired a marketing smart business woman to bring his company back from the dead (which is where it was after the Series 1 cars). They are maximizing the opportunities available (while they are hot) as well as protecting thier intellectual capitol (the Shelby name and Brand).
If you look at thier moves from a business standpoint, it all makes sense (at least it does to me).
Before you flame me, I'm not a Shelby apologist. I am a fan and I'm glad they are building cars and parts. It's a great time to be a Mustang lover and I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts
AKA 1 BULLITT------------ Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 29, 2004
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From: U S A
The issue with Shelby has never been about his business or marketing practices. He has every right to make a living or a fortune as everyone else. His main setback has been with credibility and integrity.
Bullitt Member
Joined: October 12, 2004
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Not trying to pick a fight here or defend Shelby, just offering different points of view
Super Moderator
TMS Staff
TMS Staff
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From: Alabaster, Al.
Well,
Considering all of the PROBLEMS that Shelby currently has, no wonder the car has been there, in LasVegas for over 8 weeks + shipping time to them,
and still only has the stripe kit installed, with no further modifications completed.
Bullet, you have been wrong, but this time you are absolutely correct,
Ford should have kept SVT and done it themselves.
TDS
Considering all of the PROBLEMS that Shelby currently has, no wonder the car has been there, in LasVegas for over 8 weeks + shipping time to them,
and still only has the stripe kit installed, with no further modifications completed.
Bullet, you have been wrong, but this time you are absolutely correct,
Ford should have kept SVT and done it themselves.
TDS