SHelby trademark applys to fiberglass

strange65 · Apr 26, 2006

Apparently his trademark extends to fiberglass reproduction parts as seen on this ebay ad: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968...ewItemQQcategoryZ34204QQitemZ4634495315QQrdZ1

This is a brand new Cobra Fiberglass 1968 Shelby GT350/500 style Fiberglass hood assembly for your 1967-1968 Ford Mustang! This is a unique molding in that it REQUIRES NO OTHER MODIFICATIONS (NOSE PIECE, ETC.) It is a direct bolt on assembly made by the best in the business, Cobra Fiberglass MFG. Don't pay big money for the junk that fiberglass that you have to fix before you install! THIS PIECE IS THE FINAL ONE, due to the new Shelby trademark policy going into affect this summer. (Mr. Shelby has decided that all pieces related to the cars he produced must be purchased directly from his company, and proof of a Shelby VIN will be require to obtain parts.)

Maybe MDJAY can verify this.

ttoney · Apr 26, 2006

That could get painful real quick.

DukeGnarley · Apr 26, 2006

sounds like a load of bs to me.

ttoney · Apr 26, 2006

I was wondering about that as a scare tactic. Get some guys like us to load up before the prohibition....

1320stang · Apr 26, 2006

Well, seeing how that hood never appeared on a Shelby Mustang in that form (the real one had a different nose piece, just as the '67 ones were extended), I don't see how that piece could be considered a Shelby piece. It's similar, less, but not a copy of any original Shelby piece.

strange65 · Apr 26, 2006

1320stang said:
Well, seeing how that hood never appeared on a Shelby Mustang in that form (the real one had a different nose piece, just as the '67 ones were extended), I don't see how that piece could be considered a Shelby piece. It's similar, less, but not a copy of any original Shelby piece.

I was thinking along the same lines, but if I was manufacturing them and got threatened with a legal suit I would just stop making them. With the demand for the hoods and and the cost of legal counsel it be a no brainer for me.

180 Out · Apr 26, 2006

IMHO this ebayer is resorting to the age-old seller's trick of trying to create a false sense of scarcity. Shelby and Ford already sued Superperformance over their Cobra clones and lost, because the marketplace no longer sees Shelby or Ford as the sole manufacturer of a car with that trade dress.

Also, Ford had negligently failed to trademarked the intellectual property. The reason I believe this same oversight applies to the GT350/GT500 body cladding pieces is that I find it hard to believe that Ford or Shelby American/Shelby Automotive have held a good trademark to the body parts and have been sitting back for 40 years letting third parties make a buck off it without paying royalties.

stangonline · Apr 26, 2006

Possibly, but I did email back and forth recently with Branda - and I was told that the cost will be going up about 20% starting in June, due to the "Shelby Issue".

He also mentioned that people selling junk fiberglass will be disposed of? Not sure what that meant.

Jeff

Ronstang · Apr 26, 2006

stangonline said:
He also mentioned that people selling junk fiberglass will be disposed of? Not sure what that meant.

Jeff

That means Maier is going to be gone.

brianj5600 · Apr 26, 2006

I'm losing even more respect for the poor millionaire?

mdjay · Apr 26, 2006

I know about the emblem issue. Haven't heard much about the glass end. I can't see how you can touch the fiberglass without specific patents. However, they could put a stop on advertising it as a gt350 etc since those are trademarks.

FYI Ford's currently going after everyone with Mustang in their name. Some of our competitor's have made agreements, some have already changed their name. Lot's of troubling news in the industry! We have to see where it all goes...

strange65 · Apr 27, 2006

According to a friend seems like Shelby and Ford, have what is called a “trade dress,” or appearance patent on all the Shelby mustangs and Eleanores.
Something they did not have on the A.C. Cobra. They are also going after the engine "cobra" kits dress up stuff.
He had no tech for this, but it was just something he heard from a manufacturer.

stangonline · Apr 27, 2006

Another thing to note (mdjay, you already know this) is more and more main component pieces are becoming available to be able to basically build a new classic mustang from scratch. All but 3-4 main parts are now available (some pre-assembled into large parts of the car) and I bet those remaining parts will show up in the next 8-12 months. Companies are going to start popping up selling these "kit cars" as mustang/shelbys/whaever - if Ford and Shelby didn't do anything to stop it.

On a positive note - why would they start going through so much trouble to lock down the naming? ...I'd say that it's because there are more Shelby Mustang models coming over the next few years. People might not spend the extra $5000 for a GT-350H, if they knew they could buy the stripes, and every other part aftermarket to build the same car for $3000. It's going to make the name and the "real" car more valuable and desirable.

kmterrill · Apr 27, 2006

So, you're telling me that I should order my fiberglass ASAP?

THX 138 · Apr 27, 2006

you can't monopolize replacement parts.

kmterrill · Apr 27, 2006

Okay... So I should be able to still get fiberglass parts, but I might want to order emblems now. Does any one know which emblems? Is it anything with a Cobra or just with Shelby, GT350 and GT500?

chepsk8 · Apr 27, 2006

And so many have wondered why I have been dissin' the Old Grouch for a while. Now you see. It's the $$$ he can grab, not the hobby. I hear his latest wife is a gold-digger extraordinaire.

Better go grab every POS Series-1 before the world discovers them too!

(BTW - This rant is MY personal opinion)

stangonline · Apr 27, 2006

It's been looking like a sell-out ever since the 500E, IMO.

Maybe this is a little different. Perhaps, realizing that he has fewer years ahead than behind, he wants to solidify the value of the cars that helped make him a legend? How could limiting the availability of Shelby parts make him more money? Just thinking out loud.

I agree with you about it should be more about the hobby than the money, but looking at his entire history - he started out racing cars, then started making them to sell, as a business. He has been making money at this ever since and I have never seen anything other than signed mustang dashs that include him in the hobby. Maybe he is what he is - a business man. Who knows?

strange65 · Apr 27, 2006

kmterrill said:
So, you're telling me that I should order my fiberglass ASAP?

No not at all, I have seen nothing, but the ebay ad that states this.
The emblems and the taped stripes, and the engine dress up kits are the only things I know for sure are that were targeted!

kmterrill · Apr 27, 2006

strange65 said:
No not at all, I have seen nothing, but the ebay ad that states this.
The emblems and the taped stripes, and the engine dress up kits are the only things I know for sure are that were targeted!

Okay... Emblems and Stripes it is then. Already have the valve covers and oil pan.

On a side note. What about interior items like the 68 center console which has the Cobra logo embroidered into it?

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