Just want to say I owned my first shelby right out of high school, and I am 50 this month. I still own that one and over the years I have added 4 more shelbys to the garage. I think they are the most impressive cars ever built, by a chicken farmer with a vision to win. He never cared as to the value, he built them because of a love for racing. Shame is now, with the values reaching prices that limit most from ever owning one. Most will never enjoy the actual fun of owning one. So many investors are setting the values, as making money is the most important part of owning one. They don't know the history or the cirumstances that gave them the following they have. I guess with all the 07 and 08 shelby gt's, shelby gt500, california specials, roush, steeda, and elanore's prove that Carroll got it right in the 60's for the right reasons. Now money is the root of the new cars, just a real shame. The investors and dealers are making all the money above retail. The buyers who want to own a new shelby or whatever it is, will come up short in the long run. At a car show I witnessed two gentlemen 60 plus, one owned a 07 shelby GT 500 and one had a 07 shelby GT they were arguing at the top of their voices as which one was collectable and which one was the real shelby?????? I just don't get it, both were looking at their car as an investment. Not the joy of owning and driving one. I bought every one of my cars not because it was an investment, I bought them because they are a blast to drive, their looks. Just look at the front of a 67 inboard car. I can't afford to buy another real shelby and for the new cars my guess few will ever enjoy meeting the people and friends I have met because of the cars. I refuse to pay over sticker. And if I did I would have to argue with the "two old guys" that whichever shelby I bought was the ONE Thanks for your time. Ken
Ken, just my opinion (hmmm, whenever I start that way, I always get in trouble...) If you are buying a new car for an investment you are in for a surprise. It took 25 plus years to make the originals worth anything at all, before that they were used cars no one wanted. Secondly, they have already pumped out more cars than they built in all of the 1960s, so the laws of supply and demand will kick in....if either of these geasers ever makes it to age 90, they might get their money back if they are lucky.
In any case, Welcome! I can see that you have it in your blood. Make sure to post pix of your rides and don't be a stranger to the back and forth that makes this Forum what it is. Mike
When i see a new shelby i wonder when and if these cars will ever reach the value and mystic of their forefathers. I also wonder how many of the individuals buying cars are trying to "get in" on the Shelby mystic and hoping one day they will be worth a pot of gold. I think the only ones that will make a mint on these cars are Ford and Shelby. By rekindling the magic of the 60's and they have sold a ton of new cars. What makes a car valuable? I think rarity and romance. With numbers too high to count i think rarity is out...as for romance...the car will have to be worked in the American fabric. In the 60's Carroll Shelby was a current racing legend...he built super cars that were rooted in racing history. The old notion of "Win on Sunday...Sell on Monday" was still alive and good. i think for these cars to stand the test of time they will have to prove themselves more then just a hot rod for middle aged men in a mid-life crisis...where and when this other place is i dont know. Thanks for listening to my rant...and if you are middle aged and in a middle life crisis i didnt mean to offend you...you should probably go to the doctor and get a testosterone shot, from what i read it helps LOL!
Ken, I agree with you 100%. I have a 1968 Mustang show car for about 10 years. I spent the first 4 in restoring it. I have always enjoyed Mustangs, even had one of the first 05 GTs. I just recently bought a 2008 Shelby GT within the last two weeks. I bought it to drive, not to garage. I know some may buy them to sit and hope the value goes up, and of course I would like the value to go also. But...............there is nothing like driving these beauties. I believe the Shelby GT is a Shelby to me. It is registered and numbered, I know Shelby Automotive worked on it in Las Vegas. To me there is nothing like cruising in these things.
