Hi folks, can anyboby tell me why the Dodge Shelbys made at the Whittier plant (86glhs/89csx) are not included in the original Shelby regestry and yet the new Shelby mustangs (Eleanors) are? We bought our 89CSX#393 new and this has bothered us since. Why won't Carroll talk about or even acknowldge these cars (Dodge based). As these are some of the lowest number of cars he produced, he could generate enormous interest in them with just a few comments. Just wondering Pete new member in Oregon 89CSX#393
The original Shelby Dodge Auto Club was a part of SAAC. They split so to better serve the interests of the members. I think that was the wrong way to go. I also think it is time for the two clubs to merge again. I don't think Carroll has ever snubbed the Shelby Dodge comunity. With his renewed relationship with Ford, the Dodge years are not a topic of conversation. What is being discussed now are the new products with a Shelby name. If it makes you feel any better, the Series 1 is no longer discussed either. robin
the dodge cars since so limited in production are hard to find (parts and ca any type of restoration purposes) and so many lines were produced like the omnis, chargers, daytonas, and the rest that numbering them would be hard and difficult then the viper showed up and carrol got mad because what I studied he was igorantly let go from dodge
That is what we have been wondering. Did Dodge do something to make Carroll mad and is that why the cars have been left with no support from SHelby Motors? Would love to know the rest of the story and try to heal the wounds so the cars can get the respect that they deserve. We have been at the SHelby conventions and not even been allowed on thet track with the Mustangs. These are great cars and Shelby should be proud of them
I think the main reason the Shelby/Dodge relationship broke was because of Carroll's health. The end of the Dodge years coincide closely to the time Carroll received a heart transplant and then shortly a liver transplant. Cars are not a main focus when you are battling to stay alive. Carroll still drives his '89 CSX and had it at the SEMA show a couple of years ago. The SAAC Does Vegas X event this year had an open invitation to the Shelby Dodge enthusiasts at the request of Carroll Shelby. To say that Carroll Shelby is not supportive of the products he built with Dodge is a mistaken perception. robin
DISCLAIMER: This post uses sterotypes. If you are uncomfortable with accepting the fact that my statement may appy in some part to some people, then do not read it. I think its that we, as Shelby Enthusiasts go, are much more rough cut than the Mustang guys. Alot of them trailer their cars to shows, we on the other hand drive ours there. They have a direct racing heritage, we have an obscure past. Their cars get more press, and they are the kind of people that want that. But at the end of the day, we paid less to get it, insure it, and fill the tank, and we (arguably) preform better. jim
The best thing we can do is to move on from here and try to be as friendly and inclusive at the get togethers and over time we hopefully will assimilate into one happy SHELBY family. And live happily ever after. Pete 1989 CSX #393
During Carroll's visit to Texas in 2003 for the Unquie Performance shop Grand Opening, I had the chance to talk to him regarding his GLHS. I'm certain you know that it's been written in paper that he loves his GLHS Omni, well I can testifiy that it is true. He stated to me that the GLHS was his favorite car due to the fact it was so stealthy and fast. He also said he was working on some stuff for us Shelby Dodge guys / gals, such as a 16V head for the GLHS since he had to have his rebuilt. I feel he really likes the SD's he created, however the press probably edits out alot of the stuff he mentions about them during his interviews. I remember watching the interveiw that Funk Master Flex did on Spike with him, and it sure seemed as though they may have edited his comments on the SD era. My reasoning behind this is the fact that he was talking about the Sport Compact performance boom and how he liked what was going on. They also had a 87 GLHS in the shoot but NEVER brought up any Shebly Dodge information during the interveiw. Next time your see one of the shows where they have him on, look to see how choppy some of the conversation is. DeLa1Rob is right also about the Series 1 cars, ever since the new SVT Shelby Mustang has come about, it's as though the Series 1 was never built. What a shame too, as it is a great car. Also, I'm sorry to say that I haven't been able to get any information since my chat with Carroll regarding ANY items for the Shelby Dodge community from Shelby Automobiles. My guess is the 2007 GT 500 has taken over all Carroll's time and we've been put on the back burner for the time being. I keeping looking at the new Shelby wheel endevor hoping something will show up there first, but so far nothing has. The last thing I heard about his GLHS was that the transmission had to be replaced after the the new head was put on. No surprise there huh? The transmission they adapted to the 16V 2.2L was out of a SRT-4 Neon. My guess is that it wasn't cheap, lol Just keep your eyes and ears open, and spread the word if you hear anything.
