Shelby Parts Availability?

Kylem · Jun 4, 2006

So here's what I'm hearing from a popular parts supplier. The lawyers that are working to make sure Mr. Shelby's legacy lives on are now calling some parts venders weekly negotiating with them. The negotiations seem to be centered around several possibilities. First, possibly that all parts such as emblems, stripes, valve covers, etc...anything with "Shebly", "Cobra", "GT500", "GT350" etc. may no longer be available from such venders and that they will only be sold by Shelby and that to buy such parts you much first fax in a copy of your title to show you own a "real" Shelby. Apparently an effort to shut down clones. Another issue seems to be royalty payments on fiberglass shelby parts. Another possibility is that venders may get to sell emblems and all but a royalty will be added. I'm hearing a lot of rumors, hard to pin down the whole story. I think Shelby is due something on this deal, afterall, he came up with all this, he owns the trademarks, but again, if it weren't for parts venders and clones, the hobby would be much smaller. Always understood his disgust with the other Cobra kits but I'm ok with some guy making his mustang into a clone, especially since he can thrash it without worry. I'm hoping these negotiations will lead to a reasonable and fair solution. Just in case things change a lot, I bought everything I could ever need for my cars (real GT500s) just because I think if anything changes it will start with rising prices...

What is everyone hearing about this issue.

Thanks...

daltondavid · Jun 5, 2006

Tony Branda was beating that drum at Spring Carlisle. either it is a great Sales Pitch on his part, (Start Fear Buying) or it is something that the new Lady in charge over at Shelby has decided to target as years of missed opportunity have elapsed long enough. Business is Business. as these Cars are commanding big money, so to will their parts.....

eljimb0 · Jun 5, 2006

I figure that this will make my "finished clone" much more valuable. It will have to be grandfathered into any new arangement affecting reproduction parts. I guess we will have to start a clone registry. This will make me happy because I have always felt that original clones were better than repro-clones
jimbo