Shelby Battle Over Eleanor Name GT500

[Don Johnston]

In case you care:

https://www.shelby.com/multimedia/News/ArtMID/5059/ArticleID/122/SHELBYS-LEGAL-BATTLE-OVER-THE-%e2%80%9cELEANOR%e2%80%9d-CAR-IS-OVER-AND-SHELBY-WON

It is year old news now, but Shelby Licensing sent out the news, again.

[Sfm6sxxx]

What does that mean to the folks that created "tributes" and paid her a licensing fee to be licensed fake?

[FL SAAC]

That's great news.......I guess, if you own one of those atrocities

Thanks for the update,  much appreciated

[tesgt350]

What always baffled me was they kept referencing the 1974 Film and the 82 & 83 Films.  That was a 1971 Mach 1 with a 1973 Mack 1 Grill modified to fit and it was that ugly Butterscotch Yellow color. 

[Side-Oilers]

^^^ I'd guess it's because, to the courts, every old Mustang looks the same.  Especially the crashed ones.

Not exactly juris prudence. 

Is anyone here available to be an expert witness on Shelby products, for the next time Mrs Halicki (or her doesn't-look-like-her, different-year-model-and-color-of-a-person) proclaims their trademark dominion?

[FL SAAC]

well I guess after this decision we can all sleep well tonight ...

[Don Johnston]

The result could be the already rediculous auction price for these modified movie car Mustangs will probably go more insane levels.  And more shops will sign on with Shelby Licensing to make more of these toys.

[FL SAAC]

The result could be the already rediculous auction price for these modified movie car Mustangs will probably go more insane levels.  And more shops will sign on with Shelby Licensing to make more of these toys.

Donnie ya think ?

I look at it this way,  it's like buying a bag of chips today. More air in the bag than chips.

It's a trend today to buy the facsimile, but in the end " the real ones " will prevail just like an original Picasso or Van Gogh.

P. S.  I know your a statistic and numbers guy,  so here goes :

Eleanor's = facsimile, fakearoo, just a mustang with some parts, more than 95% air

S H E L B Ys = the real ones, came that was from S. A. no air in that bag

Just How Much Air Is In That Bag Of Chips?

Popchips – 45% air.
Cape Cod – 46% air.
Kettle Brand – 47% air.
Doritos – 48% air.
TERRA – 49% air.
Stacy's Pita Chips – 50% air.
Ruffles – 50% air.
Cheetos – 59% air.

[Don Johnston]

Shelby Licensing began as the protector of CA's name, image and associated products (early Shelby American, Inc. vehicles).  Now it is the revenue source for the CHS Trust.  Since Ford is not making the GT350 or GT500, there is a loss of revenue per vehicle produced (thousands each year).  Creative marketing efforts allow the licensing team to issue a negotiated approval of the name on all sorts of products and businesses.  So now it isn't personal, it's just business. (Apologies to the "Godfather").

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Since Ford is not making the GT350 or GT500, there is a loss of revenue per vehicle produced (thousands each year).

SA was not making any money off the GT350/500 trademarks. Those are owned by Ford. When the GT500 was reintroduced CS wanted $1,000+ per car to use his name. Ford countered with a 12 million personal services contract. They worked him like a dog for all that money with travel and personal appearances. After his death they paid a small per car fee to use the Shelby name/likeness with the cars (like they paid the McQueen family for Bullitt). Where SA is making Ford money today is in chassis development and testing. Ford has an inhouse rule not to test beyond what engineers feel is 80%. That work is contracted out to other companies who test beyond that and report vehicle dynamics and make recommendations. I assume it's so they can go into court with independent testing if sued for Corvair type handling.