The heat has been turned up on the legal battle between Carroll Shelby and the former Shelby American Automobile Club.
02-01-08: The falling out between the long time Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) and Carroll Shelby that came to a head last year has now been elevated to lawsuit status.
Carroll Shelby who licenses the use of his name and brand through a subsidiary company, Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc has filed a lawsuit against SAAC, a for-profit enthusiast organization owned by well known Shelby stalwarts Rick Kopec and Ken Eber. The lawsuit seeks relief and alleges breach of contract by SAAC. The suit further seeks and injunction against SAAC to keep t hem from using the name Shelby American in the name and branding of their club.
Carroll Shelby stated late in 2007 that he had felt that he no longer had an ear at the organization that has been the official Shelby Automobile club for three decades. He alleges that they have not fulfilled their end of the agreement originally hammered out when the club began.
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As a move to assure that his legacy and brand is carried on as he sees fit, Shelby Automobiles launched an all new Shelby Club called Team Shelby last fall. While many in the enthusiast community cried greed and power, Shelby Automobiles has stated that the goal is to provide a fresh start for the new Shelby enthusiasts coming into the fold with the 2006+ models as well as offers a welcome the owners of the classic cars.
Carroll issued a personal statement to enthusiasts last December that outlined his heartfelt reasons for the divorce of sorts, explaining that he felt he had the right to have a say in how his name and legacy are used and that he no longer had confidence in the management of SAAC to do so. "
For the past several years, I've repeatedly told them that I was unhappy with their disregard of the reporting requirements of their license agreement and the way they managed the club. And, for the past eight years, their business hasn't kept the terms of its extremely favorable agreement with my licensing company, Carroll Shelby Licensing.", said Shelby.
SAAC on the other hand has disputed Shelby's claims and countered Carroll’s legal moves last year by asking its membership to pony up cash to help them with a legal fight. According to the suit, SAAC has been non-responsive to the demands of Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc to cease using names and trademarts, and to turn over requested records.
Ford Motor Company sold the SVT Owners Association to the management of SAAC last year, a move the people at the Glass House might be questioning the wisdom of at this point.
