GTCSMustang
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1968 GT/CS & HCS
2007+ GT/CS
1966-1967 HCS
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- Thread starter GTCSMustang
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P
PNewitt
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WOW.
What a story. Everyone should see this!
Glad I didn't want one....I guess the whole store was "Gone in 60 seconds" after the authorities showed up...LOL!
Paul N.
What a story. Everyone should see this!
Glad I didn't want one....I guess the whole store was "Gone in 60 seconds" after the authorities showed up...LOL!
Paul N.
wOW, I'm really surprised. Unique Performance had a great thing going. I would like their explanation on what happened. I imagine that they are re-badging the cars with a new Unique Performance VIN, since these are (from what I understand), completely re bodied vehicles. Apparently that doesn't make any difference in Texas. Sounds like they are in a HEAP of trouble. Maybe they should have scraped the idea of desecrating old 67-68 fastbacks and just buy new Dynacorn unibodies. At 16 grand a piece, that would have at least kept them out of jail.
390cs68rcode
Well-known member
I have been watching that on the Shelby forum.
rvrtrash
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I sounded to me like the lady that wrote the article was ignorant and just repeating what somebody told her. "Steal plates" instead of steel plates? I would guess that would just turn out to be the Shelby type VIN that was put on in addition to the other. All in all though, something must have been going on to get raided like that.
Steve
Steve
P
PNewitt
Guest
I'm wondering what happens to the cars already sold? Are they worthless? Do they have to be destroyed?
Paul N.
Paul N.
Gosh I hope not! I would hope that they would just be impounded and returned to Unique if they are found innocent. If not, then wouldn't they auction the cars? That would be a horrible loss to just destroy so many usable fastbacks. Please say it wouldn't happen:icon_pani .
P
PNewitt
Guest
It's just that if the original VIN was ground off, there is no paper trail to those cars. For example, if the old fastback was used in a crime, or it was stolen, etc...now there is no way now to (possibly) locate those cars. Legally, it's a nightmare. Even if there is paperwork when the fastbacks were bought to modify--how would one correlate the numbers to a specific car, if they were all ground off?
I don't know why Unique didn't continue the Shelby tradition, and leave the Ford VIN under the front fender, and still assign a Shelby VIN (in '67). Today, it's both of those VINS that they use to authenticate original Shelbys. SAAC uses their list to confirm this, to match the Shelby # on the tag under the hood.
This looks like a real mess, and I wonder how they'll get out from under it--if there are 61 (??) cars with no VIN now. I think this depends on the vigilance and determination of the Texas authorities.
We'll certainly be hearing more about this.
Interestingly--they were working on a '68 type performance coupe.
Paul.
I don't know why Unique didn't continue the Shelby tradition, and leave the Ford VIN under the front fender, and still assign a Shelby VIN (in '67). Today, it's both of those VINS that they use to authenticate original Shelbys. SAAC uses their list to confirm this, to match the Shelby # on the tag under the hood.
This looks like a real mess, and I wonder how they'll get out from under it--if there are 61 (??) cars with no VIN now. I think this depends on the vigilance and determination of the Texas authorities.
We'll certainly be hearing more about this.
Interestingly--they were working on a '68 type performance coupe.
Paul.
clubpro
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- 665
Dallas Morning News article
Police seize cars in investigation
FB: They allege that the manufacturer altered identification numbers
12:00 AM CST on Tuesday, November 6, 2007
By SCOTT GOLDSTEIN / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
Police have confiscated more than 60 vehicles as part of a criminal investigation into a well-known custom car manufacturer based in Farmers Branch.
No charges have been filed against the owners of Unique Performance, but police allege the company has been altering vehicle identification numbers on customized cars that sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Police say the company uses frames from limited-edition vehicles – mostly Mustangs from the 1960s – to build its custom versions. But the titles on many of those frames have been deemed "salvage," meaning the car has been declared a total loss, police Cpl. Chad Taylor said.
That categorization alone severely lowers the value of the vehicle, Cpl. Taylor said. Police allege that in order to hide the salvage status, the company swapped VINs from similar model cars that didn't have salvage titles.
"What we believe they're doing is purchasing a Mustang of the same year, buying Mustangs around the same year that don't have salvage titles" and replacing the VINs on the cars that had salvage titles, Cpl. Taylor said.
Officials with Unique Performance could not be reached for comment Monday night.
According to the company's Web site, Unique Performance "builds small volumes of handcrafted, limited production vehicles ranging from vintage Shelbys and Camaros to a custom version of the current Ford Mustang."
Police confiscated 61 vehicles from two Unique Performance facilities in Farmers Branch, two in Dallas and one in Grayson County, Cpl. Taylor said. The vehicles are being kept at a storage facility in Carrollton, he said.
Cpl. Taylor said charges are likely, though the investigation is still in the early stages.
"We don't have any charges on anybody as of yet just because the vast amount of evidence we have," Cpl. Taylor said. "Pretty much time is on our side now. We believe we have most or all of the cars. We can kind of sit back and look at what we have."
Charges against the company could include placement of serial number with intent to change identity, a third-degree felony, he said.
Police seize cars in investigation
FB: They allege that the manufacturer altered identification numbers
12:00 AM CST on Tuesday, November 6, 2007
By SCOTT GOLDSTEIN / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
Police have confiscated more than 60 vehicles as part of a criminal investigation into a well-known custom car manufacturer based in Farmers Branch.
No charges have been filed against the owners of Unique Performance, but police allege the company has been altering vehicle identification numbers on customized cars that sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Police say the company uses frames from limited-edition vehicles – mostly Mustangs from the 1960s – to build its custom versions. But the titles on many of those frames have been deemed "salvage," meaning the car has been declared a total loss, police Cpl. Chad Taylor said.
That categorization alone severely lowers the value of the vehicle, Cpl. Taylor said. Police allege that in order to hide the salvage status, the company swapped VINs from similar model cars that didn't have salvage titles.
"What we believe they're doing is purchasing a Mustang of the same year, buying Mustangs around the same year that don't have salvage titles" and replacing the VINs on the cars that had salvage titles, Cpl. Taylor said.
Officials with Unique Performance could not be reached for comment Monday night.
According to the company's Web site, Unique Performance "builds small volumes of handcrafted, limited production vehicles ranging from vintage Shelbys and Camaros to a custom version of the current Ford Mustang."
Police confiscated 61 vehicles from two Unique Performance facilities in Farmers Branch, two in Dallas and one in Grayson County, Cpl. Taylor said. The vehicles are being kept at a storage facility in Carrollton, he said.
Cpl. Taylor said charges are likely, though the investigation is still in the early stages.
"We don't have any charges on anybody as of yet just because the vast amount of evidence we have," Cpl. Taylor said. "Pretty much time is on our side now. We believe we have most or all of the cars. We can kind of sit back and look at what we have."
Charges against the company could include placement of serial number with intent to change identity, a third-degree felony, he said.
P
PNewitt
Guest
I bet that a lot of owners of these cars will want to take them to auction now...but the auction houses might suddenly put a hold on that. Who knows?
I remember that the Teutles (American Chopper) sold both of their cars not too long ago through an auction.
This news will spread quickly. Maybe someone here owns one?? What to do?
As a side note, I hope that the seriousness of this reminds people just how rare and important it is for us, as GT/CS owners to covet our VIN numbers. That's part of the Registry, and why you need to get your CS registered with me ASAP (with a copy of the Marti Report, too).
Each GT/CS, regardless of type, engine, options, color, etc...is truly GOLD. Each and every GT/CS includes Shelby Automotive parts installed on a Mustang, built in a Ford Factory.
Paul N.
I remember that the Teutles (American Chopper) sold both of their cars not too long ago through an auction.
This news will spread quickly. Maybe someone here owns one?? What to do?
As a side note, I hope that the seriousness of this reminds people just how rare and important it is for us, as GT/CS owners to covet our VIN numbers. That's part of the Registry, and why you need to get your CS registered with me ASAP (with a copy of the Marti Report, too).
Each GT/CS, regardless of type, engine, options, color, etc...is truly GOLD. Each and every GT/CS includes Shelby Automotive parts installed on a Mustang, built in a Ford Factory.
Paul N.
robert campbell
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All,
Hold the horses!!! There is more to this than meets the eye. I have seen the Unique advertisements for their cars. These to my knowledge are not represented as original Shelby Mustangs in any way shape or form other than a ‘unique” VIN number attached to the car in the normal 67 location. They are not represented as original Shelby Cars. In fact I think Carroll himself endorsed the application of a “vin” tag that “kinda” extends the Shelby lineage to these cars.
These cars are not stolen and are just salvaged bodies that were “used” to create a new age Shelby automobile. As for worth, these cars are totally refurbished and outfitted with IRS rear ends and a host of expensive suspension upgrades and endless array of huge horsepower engine options. Six speeds, roll cages, leather interiors. These cars are every bit worth the price of $200k just in new technology. They make an original Shelby look puny in handling and performance.
Unique seems to be caught up in someone purchasing the car feeling it was an original Shelby. From my reading of these cars they were never represented that way. They are an extension of the line using cars that were salvaged and have no need for further identity of their original VIN. By the time Unique is done with these cars they are no way close to what the original VIN said they were. Certainly the clean way would have been to use Dynacor bodies, but they were not in existence when this started.
We are all caught up as to whether Unique was advertising these cars as “vintage” “original” Shelby’s. To my knowledge of the Unique advertisements, they were never represented that way. Maybe they got some stolen cars somehow and that is how this happened.
My guess is some idiot complained that they got a car that was not an original Shelby. By the way, the original Vin number may still be on the passenger side covered by the fender….
I will dig further, but I remember Carroll personally endorsing these cars to continue the lineage. I think it was an article in Mustangs and Fords. I will dig and post! TV loves sensation…
Rob
Hold the horses!!! There is more to this than meets the eye. I have seen the Unique advertisements for their cars. These to my knowledge are not represented as original Shelby Mustangs in any way shape or form other than a ‘unique” VIN number attached to the car in the normal 67 location. They are not represented as original Shelby Cars. In fact I think Carroll himself endorsed the application of a “vin” tag that “kinda” extends the Shelby lineage to these cars.
These cars are not stolen and are just salvaged bodies that were “used” to create a new age Shelby automobile. As for worth, these cars are totally refurbished and outfitted with IRS rear ends and a host of expensive suspension upgrades and endless array of huge horsepower engine options. Six speeds, roll cages, leather interiors. These cars are every bit worth the price of $200k just in new technology. They make an original Shelby look puny in handling and performance.
Unique seems to be caught up in someone purchasing the car feeling it was an original Shelby. From my reading of these cars they were never represented that way. They are an extension of the line using cars that were salvaged and have no need for further identity of their original VIN. By the time Unique is done with these cars they are no way close to what the original VIN said they were. Certainly the clean way would have been to use Dynacor bodies, but they were not in existence when this started.
We are all caught up as to whether Unique was advertising these cars as “vintage” “original” Shelby’s. To my knowledge of the Unique advertisements, they were never represented that way. Maybe they got some stolen cars somehow and that is how this happened.
My guess is some idiot complained that they got a car that was not an original Shelby. By the way, the original Vin number may still be on the passenger side covered by the fender….
I will dig further, but I remember Carroll personally endorsing these cars to continue the lineage. I think it was an article in Mustangs and Fords. I will dig and post! TV loves sensation…
Rob
robert campbell
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All,
Check out this link or visit their site. I will dig more on the Eleanors.
Rob
http://www.uniqueperformance.com/GT350SR.aspx
Check out this link or visit their site. I will dig more on the Eleanors.
Rob
http://www.uniqueperformance.com/GT350SR.aspx
robert campbell
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All
The GT-500-E Super Snake. Endorsed by Carroll himself. Did you notice in the TV clip that when the girl said "This is what a real Shelby should look like" that she was in front of an Eleanor hood?
I feel that Unique performance is unfairly being taken down by an uneducated buyer. Maybe there is more, but it sounds like a suit happy person.
Rob
http://www.moddedmustangs.com/gt500e-super-snake-from-unique-performance.html
The GT-500-E Super Snake. Endorsed by Carroll himself. Did you notice in the TV clip that when the girl said "This is what a real Shelby should look like" that she was in front of an Eleanor hood?
I feel that Unique performance is unfairly being taken down by an uneducated buyer. Maybe there is more, but it sounds like a suit happy person.
Rob
http://www.moddedmustangs.com/gt500e-super-snake-from-unique-performance.html
Last edited:
robert campbell
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Steve and Steve!!!
Right on, on your quick ability to spot an ignorant TV person trying to sensationalize something that may not be true!!
For the Police guy to state that they are title washing.... Hope he isn't held liable.
Now, if they were not holding their end of the bargain by producing the car for the agreed price.... Then shame on Unique.
But they were not claiming that they were original Shelby's
Rob
Right on, on your quick ability to spot an ignorant TV person trying to sensationalize something that may not be true!!
For the Police guy to state that they are title washing.... Hope he isn't held liable.
Now, if they were not holding their end of the bargain by producing the car for the agreed price.... Then shame on Unique.
But they were not claiming that they were original Shelby's
Rob
Mosesatm
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I took that as just an uninformed reporter not knowing which way was up. Happens all the time. Shame on her or her writer for not doing a little research.
To answer your question another way, No, I didn't notice a girl say anything.....but I noticed a woman say, "This is what a real Shelby........".
Last edited:
robert campbell
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I could not have said it better......
BroadwayBlue
Well-known member
They do advertise them as "Authentic Shelby's" on their site.
"The Shelby G.T.500E is similar in appearance to the G.T.500’s Shelby American built in 1967. However, the G.T.500E features cutting-edge technology underneath the classic good looks of the 1960s era Shelby. As authentic Shelbys, G.T.500Es will be listed in the Shelby American World Registry. "
http://www.uniqueperformance.com/ourstory.aspx
"The Shelby G.T.500E is similar in appearance to the G.T.500’s Shelby American built in 1967. However, the G.T.500E features cutting-edge technology underneath the classic good looks of the 1960s era Shelby. As authentic Shelbys, G.T.500Es will be listed in the Shelby American World Registry. "
http://www.uniqueperformance.com/ourstory.aspx
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