Shelby Suspension Parts - Genuine Shelby... more like genuine BMR

[mustyn]

I'm thrilled to see the Shelby Store finally stocking suspension parts, but they are nothing more than rebranded BMR parts. How can these be refered to as "Genuine Shelby American"? In fact, the only part that differs from its BMR courterpart is the K-member which doesn't have the "BMR" cut-outs but does include a laser etched "CS" logo. Even the colors are the same, 'black hammertone', which Shelby is calling 'gun metal'.

 

Com'on Shelby, at least make these available in silver and/or guardsman blue. Maybe even slap a "Shelby" sticker on them and ditch those ugly red bushings for some black ones.

 

I have nothing against BMR, although I've often heard/read their stuff is good but not great (specifically the bushings), however I'm sure Shelby picked them because of their vast array of suspension and chassis parts. Regardless, I would just like to see some uniqueness...something that says this IS a genuine Shelby part, otherwise what's the point?

 

Any thoughts?

[texaggie]

Hey, even the "Genuine" Ford Racing Parts are made by someone else. For that matter, most car parts and especially aftermarket car parts (Bowtie, Ram, Import) are manufactured by various companies and then sold to the auto companies and then resold and rebranded as genuine parts from brand x or y. They are not doing anything different than anyone else.

[Son of GT]

Hey, even the "Genuine" Ford Racing Parts are made by someone else. For that matter, most car parts and especially aftermarket car parts (Bowtie, Ram, Import) are manufactured by various companies and then sold to the auto companies and then resold and rebranded as genuine parts from brand x or y. They are not doing anything different than anyone else.

 

 

Exactly. If anyone thinks that FRPP parts are made by FoMoCo, they are mistaken. Sears "Kenmore" appliances? Maytag, Whirlpool, and other companies depending on the applicance. Car batteries? Last I heard, there are about 4 auto battery manufacturers in the entire world and they all make the batteries that are rebranded for sale by different retailers. Oil filters and tires are the same too.

 

I think by defination, "Genuine Shelby" means that Gary Davis, Gary Patterson, Robert Lane, and others at SA have done their due dilligence, reasearch, and some relability testing of the parts before they decide to brand them as "Genuine Shelby". I'm sure that the bottom line (cost to profit ratio) is also a deciding factor too.

 

As far as offering several or even a couple of different colors and varants, it's just not cost effective for SA to stock that many different parts, and in this particular topic, BMR would probably charge SA more to make different verisons of the same part(s) and that cost would have to be passed on to the customer.

 

In the end, if you want different colored parts for your car, you could buy them from SA, media blast them, and then have them powder coated to the color of your choice.

[robertlane]

Most of the parts - but not all are BMR. We'll be adding pieces from other suppliers too.

 

We severely tested are seriously beat various parts and brands into the ground. . .the pieces chosen by Shelby we're the ones that simply performed the best, were made of the best materials and were finished nicely.

 

The parts shown on SPP are not marked Shelby, however, most of them will be. . .either laser etched or with a decal depending on where it can be done. We'll change the pictures.

 

Shelby, like Ford and others work with suppliers and either accept or reject parts all of the time. Some of our items are designed in-house while others are brought in via collaboration or simply because they function well.

[39Mustang]

I'm thrilled to see the Shelby Store finally stocking suspension parts, but they are nothing more than rebranded BMR parts. How can these be refered to as "Genuine Shelby American"? In fact, the only part that differs from its BMR courterpart is the K-member which doesn't have the "BMR" cut-outs but does include a laser etched "CS" logo. Even the colors are the same, 'black hammertone', which Shelby is calling 'gun metal'.

 

Com'on Shelby, at least make these available in silver and/or guardsman blue. Maybe even slap a "Shelby" sticker on them and ditch those ugly red bushings for some black ones.

 

I have nothing against BMR, although I've often heard/read their stuff is good but not great (specifically the bushings), however I'm sure Shelby picked them because of their vast array of suspension and chassis parts. Regardless, I would just like to see some uniqueness...something that says this IS a genuine Shelby part, otherwise what's the point?

 

Any thoughts?

 

 

For Suspension Shelby American should partner with Griggs Racing as anyone who has driven or raced a Mustang with the Griggs stuff knows its the best by far!

 

I have been waiting to see what SA released as far as suspension goes as prefer to keep my GT/SC 'Shelby' but if all they are doing is rebadging or slapping a sticker on another product then I'll go with the Griggs setup.

[39Mustang]

Most of the parts - but not all are BMR. We'll be adding pieces from other suppliers too.

 

We severely tested are seriously beat various parts and brands into the ground. . .the pieces chosen by Shelby we're the ones that simply performed the best, were made of the best materials and were finished nicely.

 

The parts shown on SPP are not marked Shelby, however, most of them will be. . .either laser etched or with a decal depending on where it can be done. We'll change the pictures.

 

Shelby, like Ford and others work with suppliers and either accept or reject parts all of the time. Some of our items are designed in-house while others are brought in via collaboration or simply because they function well.

 

 

Robert,

 

For braking you guys got together with the best in Baer Claw and the 6-piston brakes are unbelievable and you did the same thing with the superchargers in Kenne Bell, so why would you guys half ass on the suspension parts? Rebadging BMR pieces c'mon they aren't even in the top 3 Mustang suspension components. Why don't Shelby American get together with Griggs Racing and offer 3 stages of suspension in Street, Street/Track, and full out Track setup... Shelby owners are going to buy the best for their cars so why not have a Shelby/Griggs setup...

[robertlane]

Robert,

 

For braking you guys got together with the best in Baer Claw and the 6-piston brakes are unbelievable and you did the same thing with the superchargers in Kenne Bell, so why would you guys half ass on the suspension parts? Rebadging BMR pieces c'mon they aren't even in the top 3 Mustang suspension components. Why don't Shelby American get together with Griggs Racing and offer 3 stages of suspension in Street, Street/Track, and full out Track setup... Shelby owners are going to buy the best for their cars so why not have a Shelby/Griggs setup...

 

Just because BMR is not a well known company doesn't meet they are not top notch. There are A LOT of suppliers to Ford and Ford Racing that I would wager you never heard of. . .doesn't mean that that are inferior.

 

We've been testing a wide array of parts and found these to be top notch - and we can choose whoever we like so this is a strong endorsement about how we feel about this particular supplier.

 

This is not to say that we won't be adding more products from different suppliers as well.

[mustyn]

Yes, I am well aware that most parts for almost any company are made by outside parties...I'm not that naive. My point is that there is no difference between the Shelby and BMR parts, unlike parts made for other companies. Hell, even the beautiful Baer brake kits (as 39mustang already mentioned) are made for Shelby with various color options and a unique Shelby/Baer logo. The Ford Racing handling pack with Tokico D-Spec dampers comes in Ford blue with the Ford Racing logos. Kenmore appliances, while made by Maytag, Whirlpool, and even LG now, are still made for Sears and all end up looking as if the same company made them. To further my point, this all feels lazy, almost as if Shelby is simply supplying the parts and calling them their own, I just don't get the sense of a partnership with BMR. In fact, with other companies contributing to Shelby's suspension line, we're going to have a hodgepodge of components and nothing is going to match.

 

I'm not trying to start anything here, I'm just a little disappointed...and I really hate inconsistency. Why buy the Shelby part when I can buy the same thing from BMR, there has to be some incentive. If Shelby is really testing these things and wants to supply the best of the best - great, but everything should look and feel as if its part of the same package...specifically a "Shelby" package.

 

On the positive side, I am glad to hear the BMR parts will be laser etched with the "Shelby" logo. :happy feet: That's a start!

[jmn444]

I haven't gotten into upgrading the suspension, and honestly probably won't unless I start tracking the car... but I did get the BMR adj. panhard and it seemed to be a quality peice to me.

[robertlane]

Yes, I am well aware that most parts for almost any company are made by outside parties...I'm not that naive. My point is that there is no difference between the Shelby and BMR parts, unlike parts made for other companies. Hell, even the beautiful Baer brake kits (as 39mustang already mentioned) are made for Shelby with various color options and a unique Shelby/Baer logo. The Ford Racing handling pack with Tokico D-Spec dampers comes in Ford blue with the Ford Racing logos. Kenmore appliances, while made by Maytag, Whirlpool, and even LG now, are still made for Sears and all end up looking as if the same company made them. To further my point, this all feels lazy, almost as if Shelby is simply supplying the parts and calling them their own, I just don't get the sense of a partnership with BMR. In fact, with other companies contributing to Shelby's suspension line, we're going to have a hodgepodge of components and nothing is going to match.

 

I'm not trying to start anything here, I'm just a little disappointed...and I really hate inconsistency. Why buy the Shelby part when I can buy the same thing from BMR, there has to be some incentive. If Shelby is really testing these things and wants to supply the best of the best - great, but everything should look and feel as if its part of the same package...specifically a "Shelby" package.

 

On the positive side, I am glad to hear the BMR parts will be laser etched with the "Shelby" logo. :happy feet: That's a start!

 

NEVER think that your comments are not appreciated....they are. We're all part of the ongoing legacy that is Shelby.

 

You've made some valid points here. All parts should be "Shelby" branded and they will be. The photos were taken before they were branded. We thought about coloring the parts, but we're not there yet. Honestly, SPP should have had a complete line of suspension parts years ago.

[kahmann]

I agree 100% with the original post. It seems SA is more or less in the decal market, not the performance business.

I'd prefer that SA didn't offer parts at all, unless they're at least engineered by SA. If I want a BMR K-member, I'll buy a BMR K-member. Just because it's sprayed blue with a Shelby sticker on it doesn't make it any more appealing to me as a consumer.

[EL SHELBY]

I would imagine that with a new president at the helm of SA and what appears to have been an inconsistant track record in sales of pre and post titled cars and trucks I suspect that we will see more parts offerings, both rebranded and in house developed.

 

Switching from a specialty car manufacturer to a parts development, manufacturer, and retailer will take considerable effort, time, and resources. It could be a year or more before we see any change in the direction of SA at the customer level beyond the restructuring and improvement to SPP retail outlet/website.

 

Rebadging of parts now could help bridge the gap until new parts can be developed in house. If that is in fact the plan of SA.

 

I personally would love to Shelby field or at very least back a race team in Grand Am or the like (but not NASCAR). This would tell me that SA is serious about being a leader in the sports car market.

[2010KonaBlueGT]

Honestly, SPP should have had a complete line of suspension parts years ago.

 

 

I could not agree MORE with that statement.

 

Shelby already has the name, he/it is famous and it is worth a FORTUNE.

 

Now use it!

 

Building a limited number of cars (SS, SE, CS, GT350, etc) per year is *not* the way to a fortune. Remember, they are *limited* as per how many are produced.

 

Building and selling the parts is. That is *unlimited* (because *I* don't need to own a SS to buy parts for my GT500 and make it look similar to a $$).

 

Hey, don't belive me? Just ask guys like Arlen Ness. Arlen built show bikes for ages (and didn't make squat) before he finally realized he could take advantage of his name and he started building/selling/marketing parts & accessories for motorcycles (which made him rich).

 

He was already famous, now he's rich and famous.

 

Yep, Shelby should have had a complete line of suspension (AND other) parts years ago. I agree.

 

Now you got some catchin' up to do!

 

 

Phill Pollard

[i8acobra]

I have no problem with Shelby re-branding parts. My only request is that the parts be actually tested for performance and durability by Shelby. I'd hate to see Shelby simply taking parts from whichever manufacturer offers the highest profit margin.

[stormeaston]

I try to outfit my car with all Shelby marked parts, my take is on it that in twenty years the car will be worth more if alot of the add-on parts are marked Shelby, just my thinking on the whole deal, and........................I really don't care who makes the part............just so it's marked Shelby.

 

 

A case in point is the new Shelby differential cover, made by Moser, a well known company. I had bought a FR one and as soon as the Shelby one came out I sold the FR so I could buy the Shelby. The more I think about it I would want a cover made by a well known company than some cheap knock-off from China. Although I was dissapointed in the way it was shipped.........the cover wasn't wrapped and was free to slide around the box pretty much destroying the gasket and the bag that holds the screws that comes with it, but that's ok because I just use the silicone as a gasket anyway.

 

 

Just my 2 cents.

[circleofsnakes]

Speaking of suspension parts, will the sway bar set be available in the Shelby Store soon?

[breoland]

im so disapointed because i had purchased the orginal race rod end uppers and lowers with pan hard and brace through shelby performance parts. i have to admit the pieces i got are great and made really nice, but now that they switched to bmr, i will not be able to match the rest of the set with the front end or swa bars.

[robertlane]

im so disapointed because i had purchased the orginal race rod end uppers and lowers with pan hard and brace through shelby performance parts. i have to admit the pieces i got are great and made really nice, but now that they switched to bmr, i will not be able to match the rest of the set with the front end or swa bars.

Let me know what you need. We might have some new-old stock parts left.

 

You will ABSOLUTELY see parts designed in-house soon as we can.

[Evasive]

I try to outfit my car with all Shelby marked parts, my take is on it that in twenty years the car will be worth more if alot of the add-on parts are marked Shelby, just my thinking on the whole deal, and........................I really don't care who makes the part............just so it's marked Shelby.

 

 

A case in point is the new Shelby differential cover, made by Moser, a well known company. I had bought a FR one and as soon as the Shelby one came out I sold the FR so I could buy the Shelby. The more I think about it I would want a cover made by a well known company than some cheap knock-off from China. Although I was dissapointed in the way it was shipped.........the cover wasn't wrapped and was free to slide around the box pretty much destroying the gasket and the bag that holds the screws that comes with it, but that's ok because I just use the silicone as a gasket anyway.

 

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

Agreed and I certainly didn't expect Shelby to actually be manufacturing those parts in house as they typically don't. No surprises here.

 

Regarding the logo, I prefer to keep things looking factory(ish) and would purchase the items if they are laser engraved with the logo so I don't have to have it done myself (stickers don't last). It's nice when I go to a shop or the dealer and they see Shelby on the part...less grief. It's a plus at the car shows too. In fact, I am considering Caster Camber plates (J&M or MMR) and if I go the MMR route, I am ordering them from Shelby since they have the logo. I would also pay more for parts that are distinguished from the norm such as the BMR K-member being powdercoated a different color (perhaps as an option if you have a local source) or different colored bushing which is easy for BMR to do.

 

Thanks for the hard work!

 

I'm glad to see the items in the store.

[blownsgt]

I agree as with the baer brakes use the name and have them custom for Shelby.We all know those parts are tried and tested But Shelby has gone the extra and beat them on the road course/dragstrip therefore they should Bear the uniqueness of the Shelby brand not a sticker.. oh yeah Roush makes alot of parts for the s197 cars from fasteners side scoops as well as othr parts.

[OneTrickPony]

Great thread, I'm extremely particular about mods, that's why I'm waiting to do any on my 2010 GT500. I want all the facts and the best parts for my car, I won't purchase cheap after market junk. I sure hope Shelby doesn't let us down when it comes to mods, I want the best. If you by from Shelby you going to pay for the name, so give me the best you can get. GOT IT SHELBY, THANKS, DON'T LET US DOWN.

[Torch Red Texan]

Like every one else I plan on keeping my car till I can"t shift gears. My wife says we don't sell it till I die. So I only want the best parts from Shelby. No junk. I think it's great that you plan on going inhouse. Keep up the good work.

[Slabo]

I think the Baer example is a good one. I like my Shelby brakes. They look great and performs well. I do not have a problem with a brake company whose business it is to build aftermarket brakes supplying them in a Shelby version. I don't see Shelby investing in the expertise necessary to develop a braking system of their own. Now should they invest in the development of suspension components? That might make sense but I don't have a problem with them using the same model by having another company do it like with the brakes. The problem with the BMR pieces is the BMR hammertone paint and the red bushing just scream BMR. Most of us recognized them immediately. Personally I am not a fan of the hammertone look. In this case I think you have done things right with beating up the components to find the one's that meet your requirements. What should be done next is to have them built and offered in unique colors, powdercoated or painted or billet aluminum with the Shelby name etched or painted. Silver would be cool. People can decide if they want to buy them from Shelby or BMR just like they can buy the brakes from Shelby or Baer.

 

Looks like some folks may be questioning your decision to use the BMR components in the first place and are then questioning your requirements or are maybe thinking you rushed the decision just to have something to sell.