Shelby and SAAC at Odds

Let us not forget SAAC's effort support the newer cars with the taking over of the SVTOA club at about the same time that Team Shelby was put forward earlier this year. The Shelby GT500 of course is a Ford SVT product. SAAC held its first joint convention of the two clubs that catter to the old and the new Shelby toys in Utah in July. It was a blast having both clubs there with every era of Ford and Shelby power.

 

bcollins..... Excellent post and my sentiments exactly.

I do hope that the "wrangling" over the vintage records and paperwork will not tear the two organizations and Mr. Shelby apart. The two clubs can work together, with each focusing on their core constituents, and each will benefit from the cross-pollination of members.

I've just read through the (very well done) new SHELBY magazine put out by Team Shelby and availabe at Barnse & Noble, and its clearly focused on selling the new product - as it should be. SAAC was mentioned only once - in an out of context way related to Jim Wickes and Hallet. The short shrift of SACC was very evident - but then of course it is a Team Shelby marketing piece.
Dennis

 

Doesn't it seems just a little odd that whenever you hear anything about Shelby, it's always about him trying to screw someone else?

- Shelby vs SAAC
- Shelby vs Halicki and Eleanor
- Shelby vs Unique Performance
- Shelby vs Cobra replica manufacturers
- Shelby vs Ford for 1984 20th anniversary Mustang "GT-350" models
- Shelby using "leftover" 1964 427 SC frames

And then there's Shelby versus Brain Angliss, Shelby versus Stephen Becker, etc.

Why does he seem so intent on tarnishing his legacy? Greed seems to be the overriding factor. Which leads to another subject - the $200 autograph!

 

Most of those sound like Shelby protecting his legacy not tarnishing it.

 

The Shelby saga is a big, public story. He's a big target, and a lot of "sharpies" are trying to ride his coat tails to fame & wealth.

Is he pure & without blame, of course not, who is? But I give him credit for being a fighter. His trademarks & other intellectual property will become worthless if he doesn't stand up and try to protect what he has created.


Z. Ray

 

I am sorry to see this discussion focusing on what is wrong with CS. I don't know or care what his issues are with the "club". He is an icon. His legacy is made out of granite. I will give whatever he wants to do the benefit of doubt.

SAAC has always been a clicky little cabal. The idea that this information that they have kept to themselves all this time is "safe" is totally absurd. 40 years later cars being "discovered" in barns is just a small symptom of this absurdity. These cars weigh a ton apiece.. they cost thousands of dollars when they were new.. nobody has forgotten about any of them. Provenance is essential in all valuable old things. It is how authenticity is established. 30 years ago 95% of the original buyers were alive. DMV records were still fresh. Getting all these ducks lined up in a row would have been simple then. Now everything is cloudy. Secret hidden numbers hiding beneath magic numbers.. Give me a break.. dual cars with the same serial numbers. Half cars growing new other half's.... re-bodys.. Owners afraid to let other people see their cars because they are scared to death they might own a lie.. Everyone is suspicious of every car they see. Thank You SAAC this is their legacy.

 

Watch out for SAAC's black helicopter. It has an infrared Shelby detector and left on a mission just a little while ago...

 

I am deeply saddened that SAAC my be NO MORE! I hope not, but if it is true ,will they finish the current registry which I have Pre-paid for. Anyone with some insider info????????????????? Thanks
Can SAAC give us any answers?

 

Hi Guys! my SAAC membership is up for renewal, no word on this suject from SAAC. I will likley renew, but, as a long distance member the benefits have gotten fewer over the years. The new Team Shelby club is of no interest to me. I get more from this site and Petes site than from SAAC. I have other vintage Shelby friends that droped SAAC years ago and dont seem to miss it. The world changes but still goes around. I bought my Shelby because it was a good looking high performance Ford. I expect when Im gone the next owner will want it because of the same pedigree.

 

Where the heck did you get this from, I hope NOT by what you have been reading on this site. No where on here does it say that SAAC is going to go under. SAAC does NOT need the Original Papers to be in business. SAAC does NOT need Licensing from Shelby to be in Business. The only way SAAC would end would be if the people running it decide to retire and no one wants to step up or because people panic and drop them over comments like yours.
David.

 

What happened to the rest of the posts in this thread? Selective editing?

 

Regardless of the rare expressed concerned over the security of the Shelby/Ford VIN number data at SAAC, I can't think of another entity that I would trust more. SAAC has done a fair job for decades. Shelby is getting on up there and even today would not personally oversee how those records would be managed and used and released to members. If Shelby took over the old records then he would farm it out (remember Eleanor production) or they would enter a corporate environment with budgets, budget games, turnover, legal councel, employees instead of enthuiast, labor cost, dissappointing return on investment, too much over head etc... years from now after Shelby is gone and Amy has moved on who knows what would happen to the data. It could become unavailable, instantly available or maybe someone from the Philippines or India will answer your VIN question. Question: Who would be better than SAAC to handle these old records?

 

Well, who is to say that the same thing wont happen with SAAC in a few years. You know, the Heads at SAAC will not live forever either. No one knows what will happen in a few Years. Has SAAC done a Good Job? YES! Will Shelby do a Good Job? I am sure he will also! SAAC has had the Papers for a couple of Decades, have they copied them yet? If not, WHY not? Copies will be just as good.
David.

 

How about storing them with the SHELBY AMERICAN COLLECTION Museum in Boulder, Colorado? They run a first class operation preserving Shelby American history and cars. Steve Volk and Bill Murray( who lives it everyday) have a great museum. If you haven't had a chance to visit the museum you should check it out. Just a thought.