Press Release- Rick Kopec retires from SAAC

[cobrachi]

Well said Shelbydoug....the rest are just imitators...   there is obviously no  "TEAM" in team shelby.......

[98SVT - was 06GT]

perhaps team shelby should remember if  saac and kopec had not flow the shelby flag for last 50 years there would be  no"Team Shelby"

True SAAC kept CS relevant. But, in reality Team Shelby came about because SAAC did not want to include/adopt the new cars. There would be needs for registries, pages in the magazine - or a whole new magazine, how do you write "historical" articles on new cars, who was doing interesting things with their car - beyond youtube videos of C&C crashes? Where is the race history to preserve, anyone could become an eagle eyed literature hunter by just driving past the local dealer.
All you need to do is look back when Kopec tried to satisfy CS with a club for the Chrysler cars to see the decision was a good one. There wasn't the fan base to sustain TS as an enthusiast club so SA brought it inhouse and uses it as a marketing arm. When CS wanted in on the conventions SAAC gave him "SAAC Does Vegas" and that has become the TS annual convention. They've sold 10 times as many new era vehicles but get far less than 1/2 the attendees of a SAAC Convention.

[SunDude]

Really? Why did it have to be "restored"? Who removed it to begin with?

GT350SHELB's posts have not been "restored". How is that not censorship?

I think that this is much more a Moderator out of control issue then anything else? Who is going to deal with that?

Why do we have to deal with this internal power struggle at SAAC publicly. This is something that "The Board" should take care of and should already have dealt with in the past. This is terrible timing.

Ned's post was originally removed because we were in active negotiations with Kopec and we were trying hard not to let outside forces influence the outcome. In the weeks since, it's become obvious that full transparency was far more important than anything else. While I can't turn back the hands of time, I've tried to...perhaps unsuccessfully.

As far as GT350SHELB's post, it contained the wrong link. Here's the correct link: https://bit.ly/4jdssLp

Enjoy!

Will a printed/bound version of this book be available for purchase? If so, where and when?

[JohnSlack]

Really? Why did it have to be "restored"? Who removed it to begin with?

GT350SHELB's posts have not been "restored". How is that not censorship?

I think that this is much more a Moderator out of control issue then anything else? Who is going to deal with that?

Why do we have to deal with this internal power struggle at SAAC publicly. This is something that "The Board" should take care of and should already have dealt with in the past. This is terrible timing.

Ned's post was originally removed because we were in active negotiations with Kopec and we were trying hard not to let outside forces influence the outcome. In the weeks since, it's become obvious that full transparency was far more important than anything else. While I can't turn back the hands of time, I've tried to...perhaps unsuccessfully.

As far as GT350SHELB's post, it contained the wrong link. Here's the correct link: https://bit.ly/4jdssLp

Enjoy!

Will a printed/bound version of this book be available for purchase? If so, where and when?

Well that was the pin coming out of the grenade wasn't it.

[shelbydoug]

Really? Why did it have to be "restored"? Who removed it to begin with?

GT350SHELB's posts have not been "restored". How is that not censorship?

I think that this is much more a Moderator out of control issue then anything else? Who is going to deal with that?

Why do we have to deal with this internal power struggle at SAAC publicly. This is something that "The Board" should take care of and should already have dealt with in the past. This is terrible timing.

Ned's post was originally removed because we were in active negotiations with Kopec and we were trying hard not to let outside forces influence the outcome. In the weeks since, it's become obvious that full transparency was far more important than anything else. While I can't turn back the hands of time, I've tried to...perhaps unsuccessfully.

As far as GT350SHELB's post, it contained the wrong link. Here's the correct link: https://bit.ly/4jdssLp

Enjoy!

Will a printed/bound version of this book be available for purchase? If so, where and when?

That is the point of this discussion.

SAAC says that they want no part of it without some changes and Rick wants it published as it stands now in manuscript form.

Predicting the final outcome is the debate.

Unfortunately this has become a live or die internal power struggle that at best is searching for a solution the intent of which is to preserve SAAC, not end it.


As far as SAAC taking on the "new cars", that would just make SAAC the FREE new sales promotion company for SA. That is their project and really all the Team Shelby exists for.

There needs to be potential for the new cars to be historical landmarks and that does not happen by waving a magic wand. It will take 40 or 50 years of enthusiasm to accomplish that and by looking at those production numbers IF that happens, it will be by a different formula then what permitted SAAC to accomplish that.

They can begin by "publishing" a real Registry, not this la, la land fantasy thing they claim to be maintaining. People primarily need to see their names in print as owners of the cars.


IF this thread is now truly uncensored, then the purpose of its existence has got to be that "you" have read the unpublished manuscript and render your position/opinion on whether or not it should or could be published as is or that the author or the potential publisher (SAAC) should consider altering it, what part, what to add or delete, etc.

That isn't "pressure" per se but it is "influence" in one direction or the other that COULD lead to an agreement on how to proceed and maybe open a door to where those parties think it has already been closed forever?

Forever is a long, long time and do you want the premise of "all good things must come to an end" to apply to this?


The absence of SAAC Members replies is overwhelming. Isn't there anyone left that cares?

[Cobra Ned]

I am certain there are lots of us who care, including this member, who joined The Cobra Club back in '72 and had his membership transferred to the brand-new entity called SAAC as soon as it was possible. I would love to think that a rational solution to the book publishing issue exists, because if it doesn't, it is unclear how SAAC will move forward. Having someone to handle the newsletter, magazine, and other important chores is clearly a requirement for the club's continued existence, and it should be obvious that absent Rick's involvement there will be a void that will be extremely difficult to fill. I hope something constructive and positive results from these discussions.

[shelbydoug]

I am certain there are lots of us who care, including this member, who joined The Cobra Club back in '72 and had his membership transferred to the brand-new entity called SAAC as soon as it was possible. I would love to think that a rational solution to the book publishing issue exists, because if it doesn't, it is unclear how SAAC will move forward. Having someone to handle the newsletter, magazine, and other important chores is clearly a requirement for the club's continued existence, and it should be obvious that absent Rick's involvement there will be a void that will be extremely difficult to fill. I hope something constructive and positive results from these discussions.

Perhaps but so far no one else is voluntarily getting into this discussion. Why? Maybe because previous experiences would have them believe that the Moderator is untrustworthy, and not only will censor posts but also come down on the posters with a lead sledgehammer?

I think that everyone is going to have to read the manuscript and come back here and post their review.

In particular pages 362 through 367. This seems to be the major crux of the problem? I've already read it and come to an opinion. I'm pretty sure that few others will like my opinion but I will state it with explanations as necessary.



Now it isn't just that particular section that is an issue. Regardless of what side you felt that you were on during "the lawsuit". That suit was settled but contains a Non Disclosure Clause. So in effect, just discussing it here openly, to some, is a violation of that clause.

One of the things lawyers do, is read everything. Those  "some" are going to notice this.



So while everyone else, including the "Board" is tip-toeing around the water, testing it with their toe, I'll wait to see if someone else wants to participate in this before I jump into the pool?

I know that privately I'm hearing from others, but they are staying away so far from the significant public statements. Those are the ones that I know that have read the book.

Considering the ultimate likely ending, others should get involved in this as well. Do us all a favor though. Read the manuscript first. Then think about what and how it is posting the authors view. Are those facts or just the authors opinion?  In addition, what it has left out, not touched upon or even hinted at and maybe why?


It isn't too late really. It is a hand grenade just sitting there, but no one really has pulled out the pin yet.

[Brant]

Below is information from The Cobra Experience Newsletter.
To subscribe, you can click here.
******
KOPEC'S KORNER

With great anticipation The Cobra Experience is pleased to announce Rick Kopec will now have his own space in our Monthly Newsletter.



With an irreverent gleam in his eye and a sharp wit, Rick had been a fixture and editor at the Shelby American Automobile Club until his recent, inexplicable, separation from that organization. The man had written something about Shelby American almost every day for 50 years, including access to, and interviews with, many luminaries in the Shelby universe, reports on Shelby conventions and related events, plus the emergence of Shelby American vehicles and memorabilia as highly sought collectibles.



Among his last acts was the compilation of a history of all things Shelby American, a 650 page compendium of all that went on since 1975, including about 2,500 images to support his scribbles. He titled it The First Fifty Years. The man was there for all of it!



His column in our newsletter will be known as "Kopec's Korner" and we will publish bits each month of his accounts of the last 50 years.

[TransamEd]

There is nothing wrong in the manuscripts above referenced pages (362-379). It tells the story as I read and heard it from multiple parties in that period of sudden moneymaking vs. truth - from the US circles and in Europe. Collectors here were afraid of possible new builds and a not withstanding or weakened registry.

I think Rick put it straight with this:
"SAAC is standing guard," ..... "on the only wall that separates the truth from fiction. If we get knocked off that wall there is no one to take our place. Without SAAC everyone would be free to say and do whatever they wanted."

Without that reputation of withstanding disturbances and sueing ...SAAC would not have survived or have a chance in the future. That is what SAAC is all about - aside from the most thrilling and at the same time entertaining writing skills in all those past SAAC publications. Having been a club editor for 25 years. I have deep respect for writing close to 600 pages aside from the normal editor duty.

I can pretty much understand why he threw the keys on the table. Someone or some within the board obviously activated a kill switch (maybe without a second thought) for the hot running engine during the last lap, while the driver was focussed on the checkered line. It may be too late now to correct, but for sure it was a mistake.
I think many will still support Rick to get the truth out in print. Me, too. If it means ending the (now affiliate) members fee and paying another war bond, so be it.

[6s2055]

TransamEd, war bonds bring back memories as well as a certain bumper sticker fund raiser!

[Cobrask8]

Here is that famous decal...

[csxsfm]

Litigation Threat attempting to Silence Truth.  Prevalent Bullying tactic.

[JohnSlack]

From my understanding the threat of the litigation would be hinged on the ability to continue to use the name "SAAC". How accurate is that assessment?

[tesgt350]

WOW this Thread started taking a weird turn on Page 3.  I stopped checking in thinking it was all going to just be Well Wishes, boy was I wrong.  Taking some of it to heart, I was a member of Team Shelby before it became Team Shelby but not that active, and when it became Team Shelby I joined using a different User Name.  I really liked it, made some good Friends there, still in contact with a few too.  I visited there daily.  From what I rea here, I have one suggestion, don't what happened at Team Shelby happen here.  Team Shelby was awesome until it wasn't.  3 Guys destroyed it as far as I am concerned, and it didn't take them long to do it.  The Team Shelby Members I still run into say the same thing.    I come here because I love learning about the Classic Shelby's, still learning about them, one day I hope to own one.   

[tesgt350]

My well wishes:  Enjoy your Retirement Rick, I'm sure you will.  Like the old saying goes, "The Best Time To Get Out Is When You Are On Top", many in Hollywood has yet to figure that out.  Getting out before the 50th has a Silver Lining to it, Now, instead of spending 90% of your time working the Show, you can spend 90% of your time ENJOYING the Show.