Important Shelby News out of SEMA

[66gtk]

http://www.shelbyautos.com/news.asp?id=21

[66gtk]

Went to the new site. Pretty clear who the target audience and membership base is, and nobdy here is it! It will be fun for whoever is moderating that lovely forum.

[mherman2]

WOW!!!!!!

I have been in the hobby only two years now, I own 2 original Shelby's, apparently my 1968 KR convert built in Michigan is a read headed step child and should be sent to the crusher immediately. I will notify the guy rebuilding the engine this week and have it crushed tomorrow with no further questions asked!!!

I understand the need to consolidate clubs, bring them under one roof, one name etc... However this shakes out, I sure hope registries become digital, updated immediately, things are done electronically etc.. I love the information and events SAAC has but the fact I have to send in a check once in a year in an envelope (can't do it online) and no information on my car is available online anywhere, is living in the dark ages. Everything about every Shelby should be searchable and traceable and in one database. Since it is not and lot of it is done manually, it opens the door for fraudsters, repop parts etc.. Also, I have a family and going to the annual SAAC event on 4th of july weekend does not work for me.

SAAC is too big to go away all together and I am sure the new club will do fine too. I just hope Team Shelby does not neglect the guys who own the original cars and have kept the information we have today all this time.

Kind of sad that Carrol Could not find a way to work with SAAC directly.

Mike

[vernonestes]

I heard the next convention was switched to august but i am not sure.
Vern

[A-Snake]

“When I walked away from racing and the car business in the early 1970s, never, in my wildest dreams, would I have thought those cars could develop the kind of following they have today. At first I was surprised that anyone cared about them at all. But as time went on, through the 1970s and into the 1980s, I began to realize how special they were. And I wasn’t alone. One of the reasons these cars are so exceptional is because of what they accomplished. Everyone who worked for Shelby American had a hand in that. But once we closed the company’s doors, we stepped out of the picture. If it wasn’t for a small handful of owners and enthusiasts who dedicated themselves to these cars, the Cobras and Shelby Mustangs would be just so many old, used cars today. That dedication is illustrated by this registry. When we were building the cars, our goal was to get them out the door and into the hands of dealers and owners. We never paid much attention to how many were four-speeds and how many were automatics, or how many were painted red, or to any of the small details that today’s owners find so interesting.
The Shelby American Automobile Club’s exceptional dedication is responsible for keeping the bloodline of these cars from being diluted by fakes and look-alikes. That translates into the continuing high level of interest in them as well as their high values. The publication of a book like this assures Cobras and Shelby Mustangs their rightful place in automotive history. An incredible amount of work has gone into gathering the information contained in this book, sorting through it, organizing it and then turning it into the printed page. It is truly a labor of love for everyone who was involved. I know what that’s all about because the Cobra was a labor of love for me.”
Carroll Shelby
Shelby American World Registry - 1997

[vernonestes]

Thanks!!!!!!!

Vern

[vernonestes]

http://www.saac.com/eventsAndConventions/calendar.html
vern

[shelbnut]

As a member of SAAC since 1976 this disturbing news cannot be good for our hobby. I've had my fair share of petty complaints about SAAC, but I've continue to support the club. Have thought in the pass few years it was time for some new leadership. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THIS CLUB DISSOLVED because of corporate bullying or manufacturer and club officers differences. Car clubs should be run by enthusiast, whether for profit or not, with or without factory support.
Automobile manufacturers should concentrate building quality cars that interest consumers. Not trying to "support a legacy that fuels our business". If you want to support a legacy send SAAC $100 for every new unit sold. I don't doubt that Shelby Autos can build a club with larger funding (and dues). What happens in the next few years when Ford decides to drop the Shelby Mustangs. (i.e.65-70 Shelby Mustangs, 86-89 Mopar Shelbys). History dictates this will probably be a 4 or 5 year venture. By the way, is Shelby Automobiles, Inc. renewing with Shelby Dodge Auto Club?
I for one hope things work out for everyone in the long run. My suggestions would be for Carroll to intervene and renew licensing for SAAC (Don't think Ford wants to here about this from a bunch customers who purchase thier trucks and SUV's for towing). And for Kopec to double the dues, get SAAC out of the 90's and into the 2000's or start a new club, maybe Vintage Shelby American Automobile Club (VSAAC) or Historic Shelby American Automobile Club (HSAAC). I have a passion for old Shelby Automobiles with or without a club(s) and that will continue.
We'll, time to get off the soapbox and let someone else on.

RussT

[amyb]

Originally Posted by FE Mann

Vernon, you are right on the money on this one. I am sensing a certain arrogance in Amy's replies, and these are just to sort of appease the people who know that nothing good can come of this.
There is a legitimate reason to form a new club for the new Shelbys, and that is GREAT!!
There ...IS NO REASON... that they should not have renewed SAAC's licensing agreement. The NEW club has little to do with SAAC, and that brings me to my next questions.
Why would they demand that SAAC turn over all of the old records that they have maintained over the past 30 plus years??
I smell "MONEY" in all of this.
Will the future hold that if we have a question as to the legitimacy of a Shelby, that we will have to go to "Team Shelby" and pay them for an answer to a question that used to be free?? Hmmmmmmm??

You know, maybe your right. If I sounded arrogant, I certainly didn't mean it, I thought we were having a discussion and I felt I was being attacked. My appologies, I also didn't want to do the he said /she said type of response either.

The new club although it doesn't look like it yet, as it officially launches on Carroll's birthday will have a full vintage section. We want input and we don't profess to have all the answers either. I hope to build it to where it is what it eeds to be for all.

so, Here is the only "why" I can give you, the why will come from Carroll directly as well this week. I didn't think the why was important because I don't do "he said /she said"

I explained to him tonight some of the backlash and he will make a statement. He has felt for along time that he is not part of SAAC he has told me he talked to Ken and Rick and had given input to events and other things, he felt ignored. These are his words to me, not mine, please do not accuse me of anything other then what I am posting.. He said that he as Shelby wants a site that has instant information for all users and owners, a site where he can exchange info with the members, a site that he can ask for feedback immediately and have a dialog. Again his original idea. I told him about the club and shows I did before, we discussed building this club when the company was better able to handle it. That time is now.

I have also tried to talk to Ken 2 years ago at saac, about the relationship with Carroll and SAAC and Ken was adament in his anger at Carroll. This seems personal to both and maybe rightfully so for both. I warned him and rick at the dinner back then that this would reach a head.

I don't presume to know how to make it all happen, but I do know that the strength of SAAC is in it's members not just in its club owners. That is what we are trying to do. We have heard good and we have heard bad, Carroll speciffically wanted to run his club where his thoughts mattered. I am not judging anyone, I think the registry for it's information is amazing, but maybe there is more needed.

Again, my appologies if I sounded arrogant, it was not my intent, this is a big under taking, it is a huge responsibility, believe me I really want this to succeed. I was trying to be careful, I was trying to be politically correct, maybe that was wrong.

Vern, thanks for the note......



Amy

[bossshelby]

First,I would like to thank Amy for the [inside information].I have be involved with the older Shelby's since the begin.Even ran the Local club for a couple of years.I hope that we can keep everyone that has supported SAAC for all of these years as a group.Been to a lot of events and have logged into the new sight to see how things look.I say,give them time,we need to move forward and this is a very big undertaking.
Best of luck and I will still be involved and anything to do with Mustangs and Shelby's
Greg

[DeLa1Rob]

Thank You for that reply Amy. In time I often thought that SAAC and SDAC should somehow merge to be all inclusive. Team Shelby is an attempt to bring all together. I think the only complaint that can be made is the choice of forum partner. The StangsUnleashed group have a lot of attitude.

The best group of people that show respect for all of Shelby's creations is right here. We may check the new site for rumors. But when we want information, we already have the best damn Shelby Forum site, period!

robin

[tesgt350]

Thanks for all of the information Amy. I am sure you are going to do GREAT things for Shelby Automobiles and for "Team Shelby". History has always showed that Butting Heads never moves forward. Sometimes you just have to cut the rope and do it the way you want to do it. I learned a long time ago that You will NEVER please everyone, Heck, your lucky if you please 50%. I offer this one piece of advice: Give up the "Political Correctness", it will get you in trouble every time. Just be your self and say it the way you want to say it. Keep up the great work, I am sure Carroll would not have hired you if he did not see in you what he needed to, a bit of him self.
David.

[vernonestes]

The added information is much appreciated.
I agree about the political correctness.
Vern

[Len]

"Shelby Forums" is a fantastic place to communicate with other enthusiasts of Carrolls' creations. This site was built and is maintained by his grandson; not SAAC. I realize Carroll is a busy guy, but if he really wanted to "exchange info" ,this would have been a good place to start.

[daltondavid]

The Dash of my 2007 Shelby GT. My 9 year old son and I received our SAAC renewal the other day and went right out to the car and debated on where this SAAC Plaque should go. it was a fun moment he and I shared together. a memory that we will have for a lifetime. these are the moments that matter to me and many other Shelby enthusiasts. I was unaware of the events that were unfolding at the time concerning these two entities, but I must say they look great together on my Dashboard! I am all for "Team UNITY".

[markboss]

I joined SAAC in 1975, when I was 18.....Bought my first Shelby in 1982, and still own it.....SAAC started out as a group of people, sharing thoughts, info, and picnics.......You got a magazine every few months, and read about events, and info on the cars..
As the years came and went, so did the magazine, and the info the members received, from the home planet....Many people, including myself, did not renew our memberships, because you did not seem to get anything in return,,,What really changed my opinion was when SAAC started building their own Shelby car!!!

In the earlier years, SAAC was a great organization, but in the last 10 years, their vision changed, and myself, and others watched from the sidelines, and I attended some of the events...

Amy, is big business, and I hope she doe not forget the people who help bring Shelby American into the future, which is us..the 63-70 Shelby/Cobra owners.
I have seen what you have done, since your arrival at Shelby, and I am impressed!!!!
I still own a few Redline Hotwheels!!
A lot of us owned these cars when they did not matter to anyone but us, now it's a big part of U.S. automotive history, we preserve...
Just do not forget us the owners!!!

Mark

[amyb]

I posted this on Club Cobra as well, thanks


Guys,

Thanks for all the posts. I am sure it looks a lot like we are not or won't support all original members, quite the contrary, the problem was that I spoke to Bob Gaines at SEMA, out of turn before we were ready to announce and release all info. This was my fault, it made us look hap hazzard and not sensitive to the situation and for that I am sorry.


This is without a doubt my screw up. Sometime things have to be done in the right way to stop misunderstandings and hurt feeling. The good news is We will be contacting all the local clubs and members we have on record and will be asking members for help and input. We can not do this all alone nor do we want to or can. We also do not expect to replace favorite sites suh as this. All fan sites have great value and information that is unique. Our site I hope will enhance that and help that.

I have been working on this a while, I have spent hundreds of thousands for a technology package robust enough to suppot all of this online. I have hired people to support this, but it is all for nothing if it doesn't fit the needs of the members. That is all the members.

We have spent time with track owners for use of tracks in Vegas and else where for future events. There is much we really want to accomplish.
We published the first new Shelby magazine this week. It's a huge edition with new and vintage info. Money is not the main motivation, branding is. Are we charging $$$, yes, but we will we give you more for the fee, we hope so, if not, you will tell us.

The site will go live on Carroll's birthday, what's up there now is a temporary site and compilation of 2 other sites. This will be different when the new site launches. Between then and now I would love to talk to those of you who want to be a part of this and who have ideas on how to make it better. communication is key.

We have the same passion, we might not have carried it as long, but we have it.Thanks


Amy

[Bob Gaines]

When I first reported this developement I mistakenly said that Shelby had asked for all the documents back. Amy corrected my misstatement the first time she posted. So please don't rehase it. In all the excitement of the SEMA show I listened to someone else not- Amy that gave me the document information that I thought was in the know about the situation and to my embarresment it turned out to not be the case. It was not my intention to inflame things. It is apparent that this change is happenning . I know in my heart it would be in everyones best interest to make the best of it. Getting upset is counter productive . I for one will try and keep a open mind and continue to help SAAC to the best of my ability and also offer help to the new Team Shelby as well . My love for the Shelby marque will help balance my emotions.