Reproduction Air Cleaner Project from lee

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I am not a Shelby hater by any stretch...I admire the man for many things. He was outright wrong and a cheat for providing purposly flawed engines for the Le Mans Tigers.

Shame on him.
 
Cheat seems a bit strong. How about gamesmanship.

It's nothing new anyway. Stephenson is reputed to have done it at the Rainhill Trials in 1829 with a lot more at stake.

How about the shouting and abuse from the crowd at a football game or at the Ryder Cup. Not the same but in the ballpark.

anyway, I digress.
 
tiger260 said:
Cheat seems a bit strong. How about gamesmanship.
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Cheat is being nice. Gamesmanship would involve actually driving the Cobras faster than the Tigers. He knew there was a chance that the Tigers would beat his Cobras and then cheated to make sure they would not. His true nature was exposed.
 
"He was outright wrong and a cheat for providing purposly flawed engines for the Le Mans Tigers."

Who has the evidence that this actually happened? Just because someone reported a rumour doesn't make it true.
 
hottigr said:
You can only put a transfer of a genuine Shelby signature on an Alger!

I wouldn't care if my Carroll Shelby autograph on my car didn't enhance the value one penny...the few minutes I spent talking with Carroll before and after signing my car are priceless!
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First of all, I hope it's clear that I am joking about transferring Shelby's signature.

Second, I'm with hottigr- meeting CS at that photo shoot when I was a kid, and talking with him about his early racing days, is also a priceless experience for me.

Like all celebrities, he's an easy target. Was he a flawed human being? Of course, Who among us isn't? But I don't pretend to have knowledge of his or anyone else's "true nature."

Now, to bring this back on topic- I think the forthcoming air cleaners are gorgeous, I applaud Lee for undertaking such a project, and would strongly consider purchasing one. And if it's ok, I'd like mine in chrome, please.
 
Has a decision been made over how much they are likely to cost?

It would Be nice to know how long I need to save up my pocket money for. :)
 
Thanks all. If the Shelby name was put on the Air Cleaner and it won't be, we would buy the right to use it. The very limited number of air cleaners we will produce would never pay to have 25 with the Shelby name.

Just a final note to let you know how hard this decision was to move forward. You can do a how many Tiger's remain on another post (would be an interesting discussion). Here is my marketing thinking: 7,000 cars built 60%+ gone to the graveyard 2,800 remaining, 50% custom and don't want air cleaners, 1,400; 50% have air cleaners 700; 50% don't want air cleaners (or we will not be able to reach customers), our market +-350 plus a few alger people.

So of the total market.......how do we reach the 350.......how do we keep the price point reasonable to get the dented drilled wavy chrome air cleaner people. Was a tough decision to move forward. Mike and Dale said it best, looked at it and it didn't pencil out. I could have made a cheap Chinese close version for a lot less money. We went the expensive route because the last chrome one on ebay went for $1,500. Hopefully the market will change now and everyone can have one that wants one. Lee
 
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How it got here.

Here is my garage and 2nd proof is on way to our 3rd wheel partner who provided an original. If the Leaking Lena will make it to the next meet in Oxnard so will the proof. This traveling proof is not the final product but indeed it is better than my original one and is better suited for chrome plating unlike my OG unit.

Lee and I were like probably 70% or so of the guys who came into the car w/o an air cleaner.

Soon it became the holy grail of sorts for us. I stumbled on a BIN on eBay for 700 bucks and its something the frugal person, I am regrets now.

Like a kid with a new toy, I would not let go when Lee broached the idea to me. I got mine yea me, then Lee threw me the pitch laid on the guilt and I was still unwilling to give up my new/old part. I tried to get by with providing 47, 8 X 10 glossy pics with everything measured out. Sorry, I was told we need the real deal for a model. Hmmm how to have my cake and eat it too....?

Luckily a brave knight stepped up who had a spare that we could send off into the great beyond of "trust me he says he can do it land," we insured his model with promise of 000's of cash should it not return.

In the background we proceeded to work with the others with similar projects. The f/g ones brought to the swap meet nearly 2 years ago got a heads up of what was in the distance. Sell em while you can we advised.
Other members with alloy or machine one were contacted and an air of friendly competition was encouraged as we were all on the same path. None of us want a North Vs South rivalry and we all will be glad when time and materials and overhead gets covered.

As I mentioned in earlier posts the project was offered up to the club and the issues and rejections were understood completely, and there are no hard feelings.

At the last fix in Lee described the status of the project to the attendees and the issues. I am pressing for a club member discount, vs. the eBay price to be offered. The norm will be sales outside of eBay. I am not at liberty to say what the IPO will be but as I said before the f/g ones were listed and sold for 400 alloy ones were listed on eBay for 600 and there is a middle ground there. .:cool:

It sounds like we will be using them as plates for hors d'oeuvres at Monterey
 
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Duke Mk1a said:
Cheat is being nice. Gamesmanship would involve actually driving the Cobras faster than the Tigers. He knew there was a chance that the Tigers would beat his Cobras and then cheated to make sure they would not. His true nature was exposed.
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even with 289 the LM tigers never stood a chance against the cobras... Hevsupplied 260 as that's what Rootes chose for marketing reasons.. Test bench was down so engines were not prep'ed right unfortunate for Rootes, negligent for Shelby not cheating
 
Prototype

Other than bragging rights the Cobras and LM Tigers were not in the same class in 64. Later on the Daytona Coupes had the speed to challenge Ferrari at Le Mans.

That said? is it any surprise that Shelby was happy to take Rootes Group race budget money (for years):eek: while having no interest in a Tiger winning in the production class at his expense? Cobra or GT350.

The battle will continue at Monterrey in August.
 
michael-king said:
negligent for Shelby not cheating
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All engines suffered from low oil press due to sloppy clearances that were by design. Two failed and a third engine was stripped down to find the sloppy machining evidence. Shelby refunded Roots the money for all of his "race" prepped engines.

All of the Shelby Cobras did not suffer from any low oil pressure issues. Funny how that worked out…
 
Bottom too??

Great job! Your proof looks great! Are your manufacturing the bottom plate as well?? all for one money? You can count me in, to buy one. Tim

leepear said:
Thanks all. If the Shelby name was put on the Air Cleaner and it won't be, we would buy the right to use it. The very limited number of air cleaners we will produce would never pay to have 25 with the Shelby name.

Just a final note to let you know how hard this decision was to move forward. You can do a how many Tiger's remain on another post (would be an interesting discussion). Here is my marketing thinking: 7,000 cars built 60%+ gone to the graveyard 2,800 remaining, 50% custom and don't want air cleaners, 1,400; 50% have air cleaners 700; 50% don't want air cleaners (or we will not be able to reach customers), our market +-350 plus a few alger people.

So of the total market.......how do we reach the 350.......how do we keep the price point reasonable to get the dented drilled wavy chrome air cleaner people. Was a tough decision to move forward. Mike and Dale said it best, looked at it and it didn't pencil out. I could have made a cheap Chinese close version for a lot less money. We went the expensive route because the last chrome one on ebay went for $1,500. Hopefully the market will change now and everyone can have one that wants one. Lee
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Tim: I would be honored to sell you one. Working on the pricing now, includes exact bottom with both vents installed as original. They will be a reasonable cost considering the tooling and production cost investment because these things need to get into the hands of the people that need them. We are talking about an additional CAT club discount too. You all need some benefit for listening to us jabber all this time. Stay tuned, first delivery may be at Monterey. Lee
 
mee too!

Super cool thing for you to do for the club! I would love to have one - sign me up as a buyer! thanks!!!
 
We are in production!!!! The prototype was displayed yesterday at the show in Oxnard. Very positive comments and I will let a couple folks that saw it comment.

If you would like a new reproduction air cleaner please send me a private message (PM) I will start a list. First delivery will be at the Monterey show in August. Pricing will be $495 for non members $450 for members. Membership discount applies to CAT ,STOC, STOA and Sunbeam clubs that require a membership fee. First production run will be 30 units and those sales will have further discount of no sales tax. Shipping will be actual cost with no handling fee. Item will be shipped with top and bottom bare oiled steel finish, no primer ready for paint or chrome. Lee
 
Lee great product and a great price! You are charging what people did for the fibreglass ones... this is a credit to you and the Sunbeam community owes you for it.... If only i hadnt bought an original 6 years ago for much more than you are charging now.... then again.,. id have to smack my repro to with a rubber malet to give it the authentic look :p
 
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