Latest on Unique Performance Cars

[Coralsnake]

I don't know Mike, you have already been smoked for a big dollar. Why you want to start the game again is beyond me? I don't think this car is ever going to have the value it will cost to build it. Look down the road, the Shelby "license" is worthless, a lot of big bills ahead, etc...I think most people will look back at this and say, "this was another (failed) scheme by Shelby to make a fast buck" . Go out and buy a nice vintage car to add to the collection and watch it appreciate over the long term. I am surprised Shelby is not charging a fee to officially add his name to it.

I enjoyed John76s comment regarding a "real Eleanor".

Contrary to popular belief by some current Shelby employees, there was never such thing as a GT500E. Eleanor is made up from whole cloth. I guess that is treading on the other Shelby lawsuits.

[rshelby]

Originally Posted by Coralsnake

I think most people will look back at this and say, "this was another (failed) scheme by Shelby to make a fast buck".

Correction Pete...It was never Shelby's scheme. The idea was brought to him...as are hundreds of other potential deals annually.
Randall

[mherman2]

Well, not sure what I am going to do but thanks for the input.

In my opinion, I think Shelby Licensing and Shelby autos should step in and do more than just agree to license the cars if built to specs. They should finish the cars or contract to have another 3rd party finish them and foot the bill. In my opinion Unique should have had the hammer fall from Shelby long before it did. For those who have paid for their cars in full, this is the only thing that makes sense for them. Spending more money after losing $200k+ is a tough for anyone. One guy is out $500k on three cars.

[tesgt350]

Originally Posted by mherman2

In my opinion, I think Shelby Licensing and Shelby autos should step in and do more than just agree to license the cars if built to specs. They should finish the cars or contract to have another 3rd party finish them and foot the bill. In my opinion Unique should have had the hammer fall from Shelby long before it did. For those who have paid for their cars in full, this is the only thing that makes sense for them. Spending more money after losing $200k+ is a tough for anyone. One guy is out $500k on three cars.

CS just Licesned his Name to the Project and OK'ed the designs. He did NOT build the Cars. The fact that he said that he would License/Badge the Cars if done to specs is great. I am sorry that you and others are out all that Money, but you took a chance on a Risk that UP would not rip you off. It still blows my mind that people sent the $100K or more just for a Deposit.
David.

[mherman2]

don't get me wrong, I think SL offer to badge these is great. 3-4 years ago when most of these cars were sold, $100k was a bargain based on auction and online sale prices, very easy to rationalize. These are not dumb business people who got taken.

Shelby was initially supplying the engines. My point was that Unique got away with too much bs before any serious threats or consequences came down.

Financially for some people this was there one dream, to have one these cars. Their life's savings went into it. There are those buyers who just loved these cars like we love the originals, that's what makes this market tick, buyers of all types.

Shelby can afford to make this right for the limited number of people who did get NO car, zero, nada. Paid $100k and up. In no way are they obligated but financially, it's rounding error over a short period of time to get those cars done.

[Charley]

I think what MHerman is saying is that he based his purchase on Shelby's endorsment of this product. Shelby was saying what great guys these were and urging people to buy the product. They trusted Shelby's endorsement. If I were ripped off by this bunch I would be after Shelby also.

[tesgt350]

Originally Posted by Charley

I think what MHerman is saying is that he based his purchase on Shelby's endorsment of this product. Shelby was saying what great guys these were and urging people to buy the product. They trusted Shelby's endorsement. If I were ripped off by this bunch I would be after Shelby also.

I'm sorry but, it still just blows my mind how anyone (with or without Money) would pay such a High Deposit Months or even more then a Year for anything. Yes, even a Shelby. That is a HUGE risk where anything could happen. That would be like calling a Stock Broker, giving him (or Her) $100K today and telling him (or Her) to wait 6 Months before Buying $100K worth of A stock that you heard about Yesterday. Today it could be worth $10.00 but 6 Months from it could be worth $200.00. If UP did not offer to put the Money in an Escro (sp) Account until they were ready to start building your Car, I would not have done it. maybe it is because I make less the $30K a year but That is just way to much Money to hand over as a Deposit. CS did not take the Money, UP did. Sue the Heck out of UP and their Board of Directors/Officers. I hear that one of them has a Nice Big House and lots of Nice Cars. Maybe we can set a "Sue UP" Fund to help the people who lost thier Deposits go after the UP Brass.

[mherman2]

Dave,

It was a well organized scam. I was a financial advisor and now a technology executive, this is not my first financial rodeo. I fell for the "give us the money upfront and we will put you in front of the line and you will have your car in 6 months". Almost all the guys I know fell for the same thing. We were all in front of the line according to UP. I honestly believe that after a while they were just taking deposits with no intention of building the cars. They sent pictures to people of what they said was there car but in reality it was a picture from a year before of someone else's car.

As for Shelby, I am not suing them or going after them etc.. As whether or not UP ever paid them licensing fees will be determined in court and that's something I really don't care about. What happened, happened and that's for someone else to worry about.

I actual have an open dialogue with SL and they have been great about this. I only want to see them take the final step and actually complete the cars for those who either paid in full or help those who paid in partial. Having us spend another $100k and then having them approve it with a Shelby #, doesn't work. For them to finish these cars would not set them back and it would go a long way in the business arena with not only the guys who got burned but for their new products as well. I would buy a 2008KR or some of the other new stuff but I just can't with what's happened.

Think of the great PR Shelby could generate "Shelby steps in and helps the buyers scammed in the UP scandal". People would be cheering, not just me but people thinking about buying Shelby's new products. I saw them as a safety net when I made this decision, they have helped but they can do more.

[mherman2]

Originally Posted by Charley

I think what MHerman is saying is that he based his purchase on Shelby's endorsment of this product. Shelby was saying what great guys these were and urging people to buy the product. They trusted Shelby's endorsement. If I were ripped off by this bunch I would be after Shelby also.

Charley, you are always well spoken, short, and to the point.

As you mention, the only reason I along with others did buy these cars is because of Shelby's involvement not because UP was building them. It was because Shelby stood behind them, endorsed them, licensed them, and supplied parts initially as well. The prices were climbing, they looked like a fun toy, an investment, and a hobby all in one. Now I got a shell in a wherehouse in Dallas, sweet.

[Bob Gaines]

Originally Posted by mherman2

Dave,

It was a well organized scam. I was a financial advisor and now a technology executive, this is not my first financial rodeo. I fell for the "give us the money upfront and we will put you in front of the line and you will have your car in 6 months". Almost all the guys I know fell for the same thing. We were all in front of the line according to UP. I honestly believe that after a while they were just taking deposits with no intention of building the cars. They sent pictures to people of what they said was there car but in reality it was a picture from a year before of someone else's car.

As for Shelby, I am not suing them or going after them etc.. As whether or not UP ever paid them licensing fees will be determined in court and that's something I really don't care about. What happened, happened and that's for someone else to worry about.

I actual have an open dialogue with SL and they have been great about this. I only want to see them take the final step and actually complete the cars for those who either paid in full or help those who paid in partial. Having us spend another $100k and then having them approve it with a Shelby #, doesn't work. For them to finish these cars would not set them back and it would go a long way in the business arena with not only the guys who got burned but for their new products as well. I would buy a 2008KR or some of the other new stuff but I just can't with what's happened.

Think of the great PR Shelby could generate "Shelby steps in and helps the buyers scammed in the UP scandal". People would be cheering, not just me but people thinking about buying Shelby's new products. I saw them as a safety net when I made this decision, they have helped but they can do more.

I wouldn't be surprised if there is concern that if they try and help those that lost the most that it would set a precedent for them taking on all of the debts owed by UN. Also it would be somewhat unfair to decide that one was more deserving then another. Just something to consider.

[waXology]

Just saw that a lot of this is getting auctioned off

http://www.rosensystems.com/auction.php?id=47&tab=info

brochure here:

http://www.rosensystems.com/brochures/47.pdf

Over 100+ shells for auction.

[Coralsnake]

It's a terrible deal on all ends....it's bad for Carroll, bad for UP, bad for the owners.

I don't see CS finishing off the cars. Maybe Carroll could whip up a special -limited edition 2009 Shelby and give them to the customers as compensation?

He seems to be pretty good at that!

I realize it would not begin to compensate some, but it would be a monumental gesture.