Important Shelby News out of SEMA

[bitzman]

It takes a brave man to admit his mistake publically. I could understand at an event like SEMA that gossip is flowing like crazy.
Anyway asking for "all the papers back" would be an unreasonable request since a lot of info like company memos were probably gleamed of info to put into print and the originals tossed once the information was put into a Register or book. Theoretically I suppose today an original letter on Shelby letterhead from the Sixties would be worth something on eBay but if it wasn't stipulated from the get-go that everything would have to be returned after their research, then no donor in the dim distant past could ask now for something back that was given to them for a purpose that was fulfilled-- to an organization documenting history.
As someone who has visited automakers' HQ many times ,I realize that automakers are a bit like farmers. They grow a crop of tomatoes. They sell the tomatoes , then they plow the field under to plant a new crop. They don't spend much time waxing nostalgic about the tomatoes of '05 when it's '07 (except for winemakers who charge more for "vintage years")
So the secretaries at said automakers are consantly throwing everything away that does not pertain to the current model year. And it's often the case that only that material which was given to historians outside the company survives about the great products of the past....

[68GT500-Aussieland]

It looks like there is more than meets the eye and more has been going on in the background between Carroll and the SAAC.

Whoever is in the right or wrong and whether the SAAC has done the wrong thing by Carroll in the past, it is a shame that it appears the door has been shut on the SAAC.

BUT through good times and the bad (when the cars werent the icon they are today and the main purpose behind the club was a passion and preservation), if it wasnt for the SAAC the Shelby Marque wouldnt be what it is today.

And there is one thing we have all in common - preservation of the marque.

Hope something can be sorted.


Rohan

[rsimkins]

Originally Posted by bitzman

Anyway asking for "all the papers back" would be an unreasonable request since a lot of info like company memos were probably gleamed of info to put into print and the originals tossed once the information was put into a Register or book.

My understanding is that SAAC has not tossed any of the data or records but has attempted to file most if not all of it away. I'm pretty sure that any production information was distributed to the various registrars. While I've had my differences with SAAC in the past, their diligence in preseving historical records is second to none and my hat is off to them for that. I'm convinced that nothing has been discarded as they have always understood from day one that preserving the history of these automobiles is one of their primary missions.

[GT350DAVE]

Amy,
A torpedo fired at a strong well respected automobile club that promotes and protects the cars built by Shelby American for 30 plus years still doesn't sound like an either friendly or sound business decision. I have been a SAAC member since 1978, and do not know all of the inner workings of the club but have had enough exposure to see a group of very dedicated individuals doing the best they could with the limited resources available to them. Part of SAAC's strength comes from a dozen or two volunteers loyal to SAAC who devote time year after year to help preserve and protect the cars built by Carroll Shelby. This group of enthusiasts represents thousands of hours per year in support of the same ideals you claim to have a better idea about. I have never heard of any offering to assist SAAC from Shelby, or Shelby Autos either financially or in any other form. SAAC is a 5,000 + group in addition to family and friends with no cost base to Shelby or Shelby Autos. It boggles my mind at the shallowness of this decision and total lack of regard to a loyal fan club and potential customer base. Did it occur to anyone to include SAAC in it's plans?
Several fears come to mind, the first being what happens when this effort, now perceived to be a good idea doesn't turn out to be the cash cow or promotional tool it is presently perceived to be. Where does it leave us?
I have heard for years that Carroll's biggest gripe with SAAC is the dress code at the convention evening program. He has been adamant that the evening program should be a tie and jacket affair. The people running the conventions felt that a dress code event would put an undue burden on the membership and staff, especially when many of them come directly from the track. Are tee shirts and shorts perceived as disrespectful by Carroll?
Perceived money and control is at the bottom of this. It is obviously nothing but a power play that has no consideration to SAAC, it's loyal followers or even Carroll's own legacy. The SAAC group are not a bunch of has beens sitting in rocking chairs talking about the good old days. We are active performance car enthusiasts and consumers who can either wave the flag or burn it.
I am hopeful that you see the negative potential of this unfortunate situation and take the appropriate action to resolve it.
Dave

[vernonestes]

I dont think that anyone at saac in their right mind would have ever discarded anything. It was all stored away to be preserved.
BEst Regards,
Vern

[sportyworty]

This may seem over simplified and ignorant but key SAAC employees have a track record for loyalty and book keeping and would be a great asset to the new TEAM and the newer cars. You have a big budget they provide low over head and the 65-70 crowd continue prove their loyalty to the brand and we hope the newer owners will as well. Put em on the payroll

[daltondavid]

Originally Posted by sportyworty

This may seem over simplified and ignorant but...

Your opening line was correct. as for the rest of your thoughts, I assure you they are way off base. what is simmering on the pot here and about to boil over is an old recipe called "Foolish Pride" . the chef always thinks it is the best recipe for the situation. Only problem is that nobody eats it. those that get a spoonful tend to spit it out immediately.

[Shelby~gt350#3000]

WOW! I just got done reading every post in this thread and I'm shocked!
I have been a SAAC member for less then a year.

In the past year of being a Saac member I have been very satisfied with the club. I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the 67 SAAC registrant Dave Mathews for all his help. Very very personal help. I spent hours on the phone with him regarding my Shelby. Many times his wife was in the background calling him to dinner but he stayed on the line to help me out. Thats true club membership benefits if I ever saw them. Can we count on that kind of help, information and support from Team Shelby? I guess time will tell. We can bitch and complain about the change coming but its gonna do no good. Change is inevitable like it or not. Some times change is good-sometimes its not. Not renewing SAAC Shelby license really sucks as far as im concerned. I may be new to this club stuff but for some reason my gut tells me its all about the $$$.

On a final note, something really bothered me, and that was the name calling from Amy " President Shelby Autos." directed to Vern. That just turned my stomach. I thought a President of a company was suppose to show strength, leadership and honor? That was pretty sad I don't care who started it or who said what about who, name calling shows weakness. Leaders can't show weakness, it only instills doubt in those who will consider joining. Your apologies to one another was comendable but the damage was already done in the eyes of the readers (like this reader)

Can't we all just get along?

Im just a little guy in the big world of Shelbys . Lets keep it real and positive.

Jim

[PonySnake]

I've been a Shelby owner and SAAC member for 13 years and am happy to lift a pint to thank Rick, Ken, Howard, Ken Young, Dave Matthews, Greg Kolasa and all the others that have fostered and preserved the legacy of these cars. I knew my $36 per year was more than needed to provide one (maybe) Marque per year, plus a few Snakebites - but big deal. Its these guys passion for the cars going back 30+ years that have created the "Shelby Legend" we see today. Make no mistake - Carroll Shelby is an entreprenuer in the pure sense on the word and would have been OK with Shelby AC's, Fords, Dodges, Oldsmobiles, Chevrolets and Volkswagens if those alliances had made financial sense for him at the time.
Although he brought together a talented group of fabricators, drivers and mechanics together in 1962 create the Cobra - and then used his own unique combination of charm, witts and guile to coax the dollars from Ford to make it all work for 8 years - remember that this all ended in 1969. Without the SAAC guys and the club they ran very well - who knows what would have become of these cars and the "Legend" over the following 28 years.

Here's to you! - with my gratitude.
Dennis

[Shelby6t7]

This sounds to me like nothing more than a money making issue. I don't believe this is what C.S. wants, I believe this is what C.S. handlers want, to get a piece of the over 5000 SAAC members. They have seen fit to whore out Shelbys name on everything from guitars to popcorn in the past few years just to make a buck. I have been a SAAC member for over 25 years and I consider this an insult to myself and to all members not just to Rick and Ken. As said in previous posts, if it wasn't for these 2 gentlemen coming up with the idea of starting SAAC back in '75, then Carroll Shelby and his cars would just be a distant memory. And this is the thanks they get for over 30 years of loyalty to the man?

Kenny
SAAC Concours Judge

[amyb]

Originally Posted by Shelby6t7

This sounds to me like nothing more than a money making issue. I don't believe this is what C.S. wants, I believe this is what C.S. handlers want, to get a piece of the over 5000 SAAC members. They have seen fit to whore out Shelbys name on everything from guitars to popcorn in the past few years just to make a buck. I have been a SAAC member for over 25 years and I consider this an insult to myself and to all members not just to Rick and Ken. As said in previous posts, if it wasn't for these 2 gentlemen coming up with the idea of starting SAAC back in '75, then Carroll Shelby and his cars would just be a distant memory. And this is the thanks they get for over 30 years of loyalty to the man?

Kenny
SAAC Concours Judge

Kenny, why not call Carroll? On the popcorn, that was Cleo's company,, Cleo being Carroll's wife. so we didn't whore out anything. Your upset, I get that, but this is a Carroll decision, call him.

To the rest thanks, If I can answer anything else, feel free to email me

amyb@shelbyautos.com

Amy

[vernonestes]

Now as for the certain word that i was called...i feel like i totally deserved that after making the mattel comment. The way i worded that comment made it sound as if i was personally attacking amy and that was not the case at all. This is the problem with forums, you can take things that people say and interpret them into something else. That comment sounded like an uncalled for remark and in result amy was fully entitle any selection of words that her heart desired. As for her being the president....it is better for her to call me out as an ass than for her to just shrug it off. At least she stuck up for herself. We may kind of butt heads on this issue but it did go too far and i did make a total and complete ass of myself. For this i totally apologize to amy and the rest of the forum members as i was having a rather bad day even before i heard the news about SAAC.
BEst Regards,
Vern

[Texas Swede]

Have been a loyal member of SAAC for over 30 years
and always got excellent help/advise/support and
even rides from the hotel to the track at the Pocono
SAAC-? in Howard Pardee's R-model. One thing worries me
with this new club. If it doesn't pay off and SAAC is gone
as a result of all this, there won't be any club at all.
Just my 2 cents,
Texas Swede

[FE Mann]

Have they actually made their plans clear about exactly what they are going to do about SAAC when the "NEW" club begins functioning on Carroll's Birthday?? I would be curious to hear this, and some response from the SAAC brass!!

[tesgt350]

Originally Posted by Texas Swede

Have been a loyal member of SAAC for over 30 years
and always got excellent help/advise/support and
even rides from the hotel to the track at the Pocono
SAAC-? in Howard Pardee's R-model. One thing worries me
with this new club. If it doesn't pay off and SAAC is gone
as a result of all this, there won't be any club at all.
Just my 2 cents,
Texas Swede

Texas, I don't think you need to worry about SAAC. SAAC is a Big Club with great Power and they are here to stay. There is no law that says you can not be a member of BOTH Clubs. If you have been reading the Mustang Magazines over the past 2 years, you would have seen this comming. The small articles writen actually said the Ford Motor Company and Carroll Shelby will be realing in Licensing Aggrements to protect them. I had to change the Name of my Company because it had the word "MUSTANG" in it and my Contract with Carroll Shelby Licensing was not renewed when it ended. I still cherrish the fact that I had a Contract with Carroll even though it would have been great to have it renewed. SAAC is still going to be SAAC, they will just have to do it a little differently now. They will just have to call the Club SAAC and then state what SAAC means. Things change, good or bad, they change. You can suck it up and make the best of it or you can let it eat you up in missery. I chose to make the best of it and take my Company in a new direction. Do I hope to have a Contract with Carroll again, I have met him a few times at SAAC & MCA Events and it was great, he is a cool guy. Darn right I do, because I have several ideas that I want to do. I wish Amy and Carroll all the Best and I would like to meet Amy in person if she ever makes it to the Southeast. We do NOT know all the facts between SAAC and Carroll and what all happened over the last few years and most likely never will. Amy is getting a lot of grief from this and she does not deserve it. She can't take the Company in any direction with out Carroll & Company deciding to do so. I am sure that they know what they are doing.
David.

[Shelby6t7]

Amy:

I have no interest in calling C.S. As far as the popcorn being Cleo's idea, enough said about that.
I am not upset at all about this situation. It just smacks of the same tone that Ford has taken with the many Mustang parts vendors, stating that they can no longer use the Mustang name?
By not renewing the contract with SAAC speaks volumes for Shelbys intentions

Kenny

[zrayr]

I don't know all the facts, or inner workings of SAAC, but I do know a couple of things; what goes around, comes around. And, competition is a good thing.

Two clubs competing for membership can prove beneficial for the members.

Will SAAC survive, I hope so, but maybe it needs to evolve in order to survive. I would have liked to see SAAC charge more for membership, and provice more services. Like an increased internet presence, more frequent publications with expanded technical sections, etc.

like the post above pointed out, you can still be member of SAAC for what it offers, and join the new club if it offers you something else.

Z. Ray

[daltondavid]

Lets all think about the positive aspects that SAAC and Team Shelby can have together. it is a win win situation. Think Positive as I am looking at it that way from this point on in belief that Good Business sense dictates this move. Amy Boylan is a Great Business person. enough said for now!