Amazing MK4 Build on BaT

[PMD24]

Check out this MK4 build currently listed on Bring a Trailer. Talk about customization. He even built his steering wheel. Custom everywhere and amazing detailing.

Read the comments where he describes some of the unique things he did.

Check out the filler neck.


https://bringatrailer.com/listing/fa...4-roadster-59/

[JimStone]

Link wasn't working for me

I think this is the one you're talking about: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/fa...4-roadster-59/

There is also a Godzilla powered Mark III already at $110,000 with 4 days left! Crazy.

[Kivyee]

Wow, love the color, and he did a great job with the dash - looks like an old school OEM interior!

[Jeff Kleiner]

There is also a Godzilla powered Mark III already at $110,000 with 4 days left!

That's not a Factory Five Mk3

Jeff

[Mike.Bray]

He even built his steering wheel.

I did that once when I was younger and dumber

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[cv2065]

There is also a Godzilla powered Mark III already at $110,000 with 4 days left! Crazy.

That's a Superformance, not an FFR. They tend to bring more, why, I'm not so sure.

[Mike.Bray]

That's a Superformance, not an FFR. They tend to bring more, why, I'm not so sure.

Being Shelby authorized is part of it but I think it's because they're supposedly professionally built. I had a chance to crawl over and under one and was not impressed at all. I thought the assembly was very sloppy.

[cv2065]

Being Shelby authorized is part of it but I think it's because they're supposedly professionally built. I had a chance to crawl over and under one and was not impressed at all. I thought the assembly was very sloppy.

I looked at one at a car show and thought the same thing. Shelby authorized them but they do not get a global registration number with chassis built in South Africa, just like Backdraft cars.

[rich grsc]

Shelby didn't authorize anything, It's nothing but a licensing agreement.....Superforance pays to use the name. It's the exact same build as before

[Mike.Bray]

Shelby didn't authorize anything, It's nothing but a licensing agreement.....Superforance pays to use the name. It's the exact same build as before

A distinction without a difference.

[cv2065]

Shelby didn't authorize anything, It's nothing but a licensing agreement.....Superforance pays to use the name. It's the exact same build as before

Superformance cars are authorized AND licensed by Shelby. Shelby authorizes the trademarks, trade dress and appearance of the car and Superformance is listed as an official licensee of those trademarks and branding. Whether it's the same build or not is irrelevant to the discussion around branding, which is evident as to what someone will pay for one.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Superformance cars are authorized AND licensed by Shelby. Shelby authorizes the trademarks, trade dress and appearance of the car and Superformance is listed as an official licensee of those trademarks and branding. Whether it's the same build or not is irrelevant to the discussion around branding, which is evident as to what someone will pay for one.

Rich is correct. Shelby has no claim to the trade dress. This was decided when Shelby sued FFR (twice actually), SPF and others. After the first SPF folded and agreed to pay licensing; FFR did not and when the second suit was brought Dave and Mark decided to "go to the mat" with it and end it once and for all with a landmark decision which determined that Shelby had no valid claim to either the roadster or Coupe. You'll be able to read all about it in the book...

Jeff

[TrackDay17]

Rich is correct. Shelby has no claim to the trade dress. This was decided when Shelby sued FFR (twice actually), SPF and others. After the first SPF folded and agreed to pay licensing; FFR did not and when the second suit was brought Dave and Mark decided to "go to the mat" with it and end it once and for all with a landmark decision which determined that Shelby had no valid claim to either the roadster or Coupe. You'll be able to read all about it in the book...

Jeff

I have heard the legal battle took a long time and lots of money, I'm sure a book would be an interesting story.
I find it almost comical that a car Shelby basically bought from AC and did an engine swap in is suddenly his to trademark.

[PMD24]

Link wasn't working for me

I think this is the one you're talking about: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/fa...4-roadster-59/

There is also a Godzilla powered Mark III already at $110,000 with 4 days left! Crazy.

Yeah, that's the one. Thanks for posting a new link. I redid mine. Hopefully its good now.

[cv2065]

Rich is correct. Shelby has no claim to the trade dress. This was decided when Shelby sued FFR (twice actually), SPF and others. After the first SPF folded and agreed to pay licensing; FFR did not and when the second suit was brought Dave and Mark decided to "go to the mat" with it and end it once and for all with a landmark decision which determined that Shelby had no valid claim to either the roadster or Coupe. You'll be able to read all about it in the book...

Jeff

Are you talking about 'The Cobra Story'? I have that book but only read a couple of chapters. A positive for all of us that FFR never folded as we'd be paying Superformance prices or have nothing at all. That said, I would think with SPF folding and agreeing to paying licensing, Shelby is in effect now able to control trade dress and appearance of those Superformance cars. Trademarks and branding are without a doubt protected.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Are you talking about 'The Cobra Story'?...

No, this one (Working title The Cobra Wars) isn't yet published but much off it has already been composed...

Jeff

[Mike.Bray]

I used to do design work for Classic Recreations before they sold last year. CR was licensed by Shelby and any of my designs that included any Shelby design, logo, or trademark had to be submitted for approval before it could be used. I remember they would ask for the smallest changes. I'm assuming the amount of control Shelby had was probably written into the license agreement.

[JJK]

I suspect the superformance and backdraft price premium is more a function of information asymmetry, variation in quality, and opening price point posted for those from superformance and backdraft websites compared to what people see on FFR's website (not apples to apples comparison, but that is the point). I know there are many FFR builds that are of higher quality (reliability, performance, comfort, etc.) than superformance or backdraft, but I suspect there are many more on the other side of that scale. Auction buyers do not know the actual build quality of an FFR car, but have much more of an idea of a superformance or backdraft and are therefore willing to pay more for that assurance of a standard level of quality.

[PMD24]

Guess I should change the title

[Papa]

Guess I should change the title

No need to change the title, Pat. The car you linked is what it says it is. The side discussion is related to a different car that is likely a Superformance.

And the color on that MK4 is beautiful!

[JJK]

As an aside, my paint scheme is very similar to the one posted. Purely coincidental as I am now learning my choice was not as original and unique as I had thought.
Hoping the one on BaT sells for something the seller is willing to accept, looks like he put a lot of good work into the car.