Over on Facebook (GT500 Nation) there was a discussion about the Cobra snakes on our cars and a mention that Ford owns the Cobra snake rights and basically Shelby was/is paid for the Shelby name applied to each car.............But then that got me thinking, I seem to remember Shelby still owns the "GT350" and "GT500" names..........but I was not sure and it has been a while since I read that? The discussion began and thankfully a "Shelby insider" with direct knowledge added the facts to the conversation. So after a few posts about the snake(s), it kind of started here......
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JJ Brent
It's the same logo. Ford owns the name Cobra and the logo. Yes, Shelby's logo. Carroll signed them over to Ford in the 60's. Ford licenses the logo back to Shelby American.
So the snake is basically equally Ford COBRA and Shelby American.
Obviously more Shelby than anything as a company.
Which I replied..........
Robert Myhrer
If I remember correctly, Shelby still owns "GT350" and "GT500" identifiers and that is why the 2007-up is identified by Ford as a "SHELBY GT350" or a "SHELBY GT500" and not as a "COBRA" in the sales/marketing literature, and no "COBRA" lettering identifier (model name) anywhere on the 2007-up cars..........
And then the "Shelby insider".............
Robert Lane
Robert Myhrer Shelby owns the GT350, GT500 marks, which are licensed to Ford. Ford has owned the Cobra mark since September 1964.
..............and continuing facts.........
Robert Lane
I worked at Shelby and had to work with licensing in regard to the 'Tiffany' snake.
Ford cannot use the Tiffany snake in conjunction with the Shelby mark unless it's a licensed product. However, Ford can use the Tiffany snake alone.
Shelby can use the Tiffany snake provided it's use in concert with the Shelby mark. Shelby cannot use the Tiffany snake alone.
Thus, it's a shared logo used in a working relationship. I hope this helps explain it better.
JJ Brent
Robert Lane correct. Cobra and the Logo are Ford's property however. Of course Ford cannot use the Shelby name in concert alone. All of this is correct.
...............and then my thoughts after reading Robert Lane's replies........
Robert Myhrer
That insider info. from Robert Lane also seems to indicate why the Shelby GT500 (and GT350) are named (as sold by Ford) Shelby GT500's and Shelby GT350's and not "Cobra's" or "SVT Cobra's" or GT350/GT500 Cobra's".......and nowhere on the car (from Ford), does it say "COBRA" for 2007-up........
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So in the end, Ford attaches the snakes to every GT350 and GT500 on the assy. line and then Ford has to pay Shelby for every appearance on each car for "Shelby" and GT350 or GT500, rear of car faux gas cap, steering wheel emblem, S/C cover (new cars), etc., etc..............That is the way it sounds to me, so it is Ford paying Shelby for much more than just the name "SHELBY"....................and then I think about some owners who have complained about the recall replacement airbag emblems on the steering wheel only having the Cobra snake and not the original "Shelby GT500" identifiers also?????.................hmmmm sneaky way to get out of paying Shelby.....
I would also guess that factory floor mats that have GT500 embroidered, side rocker stripes and any replacement parts for these cars that is logo'ed "SHELBY", "GT350" or "GT500"............money to Shelby?........It sounds that way and much more than "just the name" as it relates to the 2007-up GT350's and GT500's??
What do you guys see in your reading of this?
R
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JJ Brent
It's the same logo. Ford owns the name Cobra and the logo. Yes, Shelby's logo. Carroll signed them over to Ford in the 60's. Ford licenses the logo back to Shelby American.
So the snake is basically equally Ford COBRA and Shelby American.
Obviously more Shelby than anything as a company.
Which I replied..........
Robert Myhrer
If I remember correctly, Shelby still owns "GT350" and "GT500" identifiers and that is why the 2007-up is identified by Ford as a "SHELBY GT350" or a "SHELBY GT500" and not as a "COBRA" in the sales/marketing literature, and no "COBRA" lettering identifier (model name) anywhere on the 2007-up cars..........
And then the "Shelby insider".............
Robert Lane
Robert Myhrer Shelby owns the GT350, GT500 marks, which are licensed to Ford. Ford has owned the Cobra mark since September 1964.
..............and continuing facts.........
Robert Lane
I worked at Shelby and had to work with licensing in regard to the 'Tiffany' snake.
Ford cannot use the Tiffany snake in conjunction with the Shelby mark unless it's a licensed product. However, Ford can use the Tiffany snake alone.
Shelby can use the Tiffany snake provided it's use in concert with the Shelby mark. Shelby cannot use the Tiffany snake alone.
Thus, it's a shared logo used in a working relationship. I hope this helps explain it better.
JJ Brent
Robert Lane correct. Cobra and the Logo are Ford's property however. Of course Ford cannot use the Shelby name in concert alone. All of this is correct.
...............and then my thoughts after reading Robert Lane's replies........
Robert Myhrer
That insider info. from Robert Lane also seems to indicate why the Shelby GT500 (and GT350) are named (as sold by Ford) Shelby GT500's and Shelby GT350's and not "Cobra's" or "SVT Cobra's" or GT350/GT500 Cobra's".......and nowhere on the car (from Ford), does it say "COBRA" for 2007-up........
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So in the end, Ford attaches the snakes to every GT350 and GT500 on the assy. line and then Ford has to pay Shelby for every appearance on each car for "Shelby" and GT350 or GT500, rear of car faux gas cap, steering wheel emblem, S/C cover (new cars), etc., etc..............That is the way it sounds to me, so it is Ford paying Shelby for much more than just the name "SHELBY"....................and then I think about some owners who have complained about the recall replacement airbag emblems on the steering wheel only having the Cobra snake and not the original "Shelby GT500" identifiers also?????.................hmmmm sneaky way to get out of paying Shelby.....
I would also guess that factory floor mats that have GT500 embroidered, side rocker stripes and any replacement parts for these cars that is logo'ed "SHELBY", "GT350" or "GT500"............money to Shelby?........It sounds that way and much more than "just the name" as it relates to the 2007-up GT350's and GT500's??
What do you guys see in your reading of this?
R
