Shelby & CAV go separate ways
- Thread starter RobBeddington
- Start date
So it sounds like CAV no longer exists?
Sheesh - this stuff can be confusing.
Sheesh - this stuff can be confusing.
No, it sounds like CAV is sticking to GT40s. Although the part about "The four man engineering, production, materials and logistics management team that has been running CAV’s Automotive Company for the past two years as well as the production technicians from both the GT40 and Cobra platforms have left the employment of CAV and are now employed by SASA." does bother me...
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Hi Steve,
No worries bud, the Shelby announcement was neccassary to stem the hue & cry around the CSX production woes.
This also only speaks to Shelby's side of the story so on a cautionary note please do not read anymore into this than Shelby is building his own product now.
In the big picture I'm sure that going their separate ways was the best solution to a manufacturing arrangement betwen CAV and Shelby that had become unviable.
No worries bud, the Shelby announcement was neccassary to stem the hue & cry around the CSX production woes.
This also only speaks to Shelby's side of the story so on a cautionary note please do not read anymore into this than Shelby is building his own product now.
In the big picture I'm sure that going their separate ways was the best solution to a manufacturing arrangement betwen CAV and Shelby that had become unviable.
The SAI "explanation" is a fairy tale ending (for SAI). SAI want to compete with SPF. They go to South Africa and meet CAV, a valuable local contact with plant already in production producing proven similar chassis's, who proceed then to do R&D, develope jigs and molds and establish a production facility, probably in good faith. SAI meet all the CAV people, (maybe do not pay upfront any developement money), then SAI locate a building and pressure CAV some way, legally or other, and they make some sort of settlement and remove all the "goods", INCLUDING attracting away the CAV personnel (that is never a fair deal). SAI now seem to have what they wanted, without any partner. Sorry I do not believe in fairy tales, having developed international plants (not auto) for a life-time. South Africa is a tough place to work, and far away, and problems will now be ahead, without a local partner. I trust that CAV's GT40 production will continue in good shape. Any agreement that is not mutually beneficial will never work and is wrong. I also hope that fellow Cobra potential owners do not get hurt.
John.
John.
Ron Earp
Admin
Chris, that might be old news. Some CAV dealers, including the one in the UK, posted here not too long ago that GT40 production would be continued and that was the only car they would concentrate on. Of course I know things change daily but I would reckon they'd inform the group as a whole if the plan changed.
Robert Logan
Defunct Manufactuer - Old RF Company
Ron,
I believe that Chris is better informed than you think. I am not sure if any of the CAV agents are taking orders or delivering product. I have been told that there is a VERY limited staff at the factory and that NONE of this staff are involved in the production of the cars. I do hope this is not true as competition is good for the industry but the factory should make an announcement and not their staff (sorry Bob). Cav produced a great car and I hope they continue.
Andre, you are on the ground there, comments please !!!!
Best wishes,
Robert
I believe that Chris is better informed than you think. I am not sure if any of the CAV agents are taking orders or delivering product. I have been told that there is a VERY limited staff at the factory and that NONE of this staff are involved in the production of the cars. I do hope this is not true as competition is good for the industry but the factory should make an announcement and not their staff (sorry Bob). Cav produced a great car and I hope they continue.
Andre, you are on the ground there, comments please !!!!
Best wishes,
Robert
Ron Earp
Admin
Chris I really don't know, and Robert you may be right. But, while I respect Andre greatly he is working for another company and isn't exactly independent. No offense Andre, but you know that I must try and keep information as straight as possible. I'm guessing that Bob, Gary, Ian, Andre and others are trying to give us as much info as possible in as straight a fashion as possible. I think anything less than this would be rather unfair to the community as a whole and not something these fellows would engage in, I hope.
Fran Hall RCR
GT40s Sponsor
How about Bob Lacey instead of Andre telling us the whole story as he is closer still to the fire.
Hi Ron,
I've done my best in previous lengthy reports supported by pics to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the goings on in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
Whilst I can claim to have indirectly motivated the setting up of Jimmy's Cape Town operation I'm in no way financially involved. As I recommended Robbie to Jimmy it's natural that I would like to see the company succeed.
As I have previouly mentioned, Jimmy and I are assessing a precise copy of the Lola T70 MK111B. This is a long way off, by no means certain and would depend on the market.If the project does go ahead I would be financially involved.
At the moment I run my own designs company, Dynamic Designs, specialising in a range of new designs and products. One is a patented, fold-up barbeque with several features and the other a fold-up workbench on wheels also with one or two unique features. I have an interest in an import/export agency and am also a partner in a classic car business. Right now my Kyalami book and journalism is keeping me very busy. All this means that I pop down to GT40 shop about three time a week to say Hi and to check on progress.
In January, 2000 the Automotive Directorate of the British Department of Trade and Industry invited me to attend the Racing Car Show at the NEC in Birmingham and contributed 80% of my air fare. They had heard of my role in founding CAV and as the UK had formally recognised South Africa as a joint venture/partner country for the British automotive industry they wanted someone to assist them in driving these deals forward.
As a result of the visit I was approached by nine British kit car manufacturers to have their cars built in Cape Town. As this would be impossible I'm now assessing three low volume models. If this goes ahead I'll use a dormant company for this purpose.
I believe I've played fair in keeping members informed. I just wish that CAV would make an announcement to put an end to all the rumours.
Andre 40
I've done my best in previous lengthy reports supported by pics to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the goings on in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
Whilst I can claim to have indirectly motivated the setting up of Jimmy's Cape Town operation I'm in no way financially involved. As I recommended Robbie to Jimmy it's natural that I would like to see the company succeed.
As I have previouly mentioned, Jimmy and I are assessing a precise copy of the Lola T70 MK111B. This is a long way off, by no means certain and would depend on the market.If the project does go ahead I would be financially involved.
At the moment I run my own designs company, Dynamic Designs, specialising in a range of new designs and products. One is a patented, fold-up barbeque with several features and the other a fold-up workbench on wheels also with one or two unique features. I have an interest in an import/export agency and am also a partner in a classic car business. Right now my Kyalami book and journalism is keeping me very busy. All this means that I pop down to GT40 shop about three time a week to say Hi and to check on progress.
In January, 2000 the Automotive Directorate of the British Department of Trade and Industry invited me to attend the Racing Car Show at the NEC in Birmingham and contributed 80% of my air fare. They had heard of my role in founding CAV and as the UK had formally recognised South Africa as a joint venture/partner country for the British automotive industry they wanted someone to assist them in driving these deals forward.
As a result of the visit I was approached by nine British kit car manufacturers to have their cars built in Cape Town. As this would be impossible I'm now assessing three low volume models. If this goes ahead I'll use a dormant company for this purpose.
I believe I've played fair in keeping members informed. I just wish that CAV would make an announcement to put an end to all the rumours.
Andre 40
