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Roush crashed my Daytona Coupe, denies responsibility

Discussion in 'Shelby Cobra' started by Daytona #106, Mar 20, 2012.

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  1. Daytona #106

    Daytona #106 New Member

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    I had sent a Superformance/Shelby Daytona Coupe #106 to Roush Performance to rebuild their all-aluminum 427IR engine that began burning oil and smoking after 4,800 miles of use (it was never put on a race track). It is well known that Roush aluminum small block 427s have an inherent problem and a large number have failed and continue to fail. Roush has refused to publicly acknowledge and accept responsibility for a design/material flaw in their product.

    Thinking that they would be the most expedient and proficient in diagnosing and resolving the problem, I spent $1,500.00 to ship the car to them and $7,000.00 on the rebuild. The day before the car was to be shipped back to me, Roush called and informed me that their technician had crashed my car during a test drive. No police report was filed. They refused to disclose the name of the driver or the details of the accident. They provided no pictures, and did not provide a listing of parts that required replacement. Roush represented the damage as a “fender bender” and that they would repair the car, repaint it, and return it to me. I requested that they provide a new rolIing chassis to replace the car they damaged and install my engine and transmission. This would provide me a car with a serial number that was not associated with accident damage….which is the condition of the car they received from me. They refused. They offered no compensation for loss of value of the vehicle, nor for the loss of its use for the extended time it would take to repair it. Frankly, after they built a $32,000 engine that failed in 4,800 miles, crashed my car, withheld information and delayed responding to my requests for weeks while I waited for someone “higher up” to make a decision, I chose not to trust them to repair the car and had it returned to me in Texas at my own expense to get an independent and objective estimate of the damage and repair costs. I told them if they wanted to present an acceptable solution, I would listen, but if their position was to let them fix it to their satisfaction and nothing else, that would not be acceptable.

    I had the car delivered to Moorespeed, Inc. in Austin, an excellent classic, exotic and high performance car repair and restoration center, who is also a Roush dealer. David Moore and his team disassembled the front of the car and found that the “fender bender” included broken and re-welded tie rods (Roush did this just to be able to move the car), a destroyed steering box, bent sub frames, a cracked firewall, a crushed and cracked hood… including all the mounting points torn out of it, a twisted front wheel, and broken and bent brake components, just to list some of the damage. It was obvious from the damaged wheel that the car actually had suffered two severe impacts: the first must have been a curb or parking block, and the second was a from pole stanchion. To date, Roush has made no attempt to contact me to resolve this matter. I finally ended up having to file a suit against them to elicit a response. We provided them with the documentation of the damage repair estimate and a letter from Lance Stander, owner and CEO of Superformance and Shelby Distribution USA, stipulating the diminution of value of the car resulting from the damage. What we received today from their lawyer speaks volumes. I quote: “Plaintiff denies each and every, all and singular, the allegations contained in the Plaintiff’s Original Petition….” In other words, Roush is now denying they crashed my car, denying the extent of the damage as determined by Moorespeed, Inc., denying the loss of value determined and provided in writing by Lance Stander at Superformance/Shelby and denying compensation for loss of use since the accident last October. Many would say this is just a lawyer jockeying for position, but Roush is their client and has determined the method they wish to pursue to resolve this.

    Each of you can come to your own conclusion about Roush relative to their quality, behavior and ethics. I am basing mine on 3 facts:

    They sold me a $32,000 engine that failed in 4,800 miles.
    They crashed my dream car.
    They have completely denied any responsibility for either occurrence.
     
  2. ceswert

    ceswert Member

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    I am sorry for the damage that Roush has caused to your car and to you. I appreciate this information because I will not buy anything from them now or in the future. I will also avoid purchasing any vehicle with a Roush engine or any other part in it It is indeed an ugly, stressful situation. I can't believe that Jack Roush would take this stance. Maybe he is not totally aware of the situation. Possibly, communication between you and Jack personally might shed some more light. I will stay tuned.
     
  3. mrmustang

    mrmustang Well-Known Member

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  4. Grumpy

    Grumpy Member

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    Damm !! That sucks. With all the horror storys out there I wouldn't use a Roush motor in a lawnmower. Good Luck getting this taken care of.
     
  5. 67GT500#2100

    67GT500#2100 Shelby Forums Pit Crew

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    That does suck, sorry to hear that happened. As far as Roush engines go I have a couple buddies running them with no problems including a close friend that has a Roush 347 in his 85 Mustang that runs great with no issues. He has had the 347 for 3 or 4 years, lots of street miles and at least 50 quarter mile passes on test n' tune night.
     
  6. Daytona #106

    Daytona #106 New Member

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    Folks,

    I am pleased to inform all of you that the dispute between Roush and me
    regarding my Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupe has been resolved. Roush has made me whole.

    As part of the settlement, I cannot dislcose any further details, but do want
    you all to know that I sincerely appreciated all of your words of advice and
    support.


    Thanks much!
     
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