Super Snake Hood - Defect In Manufacturing, Etc.

[Puddychucks]

I had been hesitant to buy a Super Snake hood sold by Shelby and made by Hulst customs. I've read about quality issues with the hood as well as significant prep times required.

 

Well I bought one anyways. And guess what ? It came with patched manufacturing defects.

 

In the attached picture you can see green patches. My body shop advises this is where Hulst customs inserted a patch post-mold because the thing came out of the mold with chunks out of it.

 

The kicker here is that these hoods come with a coat of primer already sprayed on. Why would they do this you ask ? I mean, especially considering the hoods come in such rough shape that this has to be sanded off anyways. Well, it's impossible to see major defects (such as the patches in this picture) until your body shop puts a good amount of prep work into it. By that time you're out money and might as well continue rather than ship it back and wait the Shelby required 'forever' to get another one back - especially if you've sold your OEM hood and your car is sitting hood less. So the coat of primer effectively hides manufacturing defects until you get hundreds of dollars into the process. Sneaky huh ?

 

Problem is that I love the look of these cars. All the design elements together make for a bit$h machine.

 

However, if you read enough and talk to enough people you'll learn that Shelby has significant issues with part quality, supply chain, customer service and third party (supplier) blame games.

 

Previously I had just read about all of this. Now I'm experiencing it first hand. Here are a few other first hand examples (and I've only ordered a hand full of parts from them, so my success rate isn't good):

 

2. Custom ordered vents for the hood without powder coating for the express, communicated, purpose of leaving them natural aluminum by clear powder coating them. Vents came so scarred and scratched up from assembly that I had to just color powder coat them anyways.

 

3. Ordered A-Pillar gauge pod and gauges. Shelby's eBay parts site was in error and I got sent 2 5/8 gauges instead of the 2 1/16 gauges that fit the pod. Shelby shipped a new kit. The kit must have been put together by a teenager because it came missing required parts (parts came zip tied in a sandwich Baggie). Tired of it, so just got the parts from Hillsman. Done.

 

4. Ordered a few other parts at the same time off of Shelby's eBay site. Got charged shipping on individual packages instead of Shelby bundling the order = excessive shipping charges. Parts came shipped in one box (Shelby pocketed the additional charges). Called the Shelby eBay parts guy who said he couldn't do anything about it. Said he would discount shipping on my next purchase. Arrogant huh ? Can you believe that ?

 

5. Ordered Red Line Shelby struts for the hood. No email from Shelby on ship confirmation or the fact they were back ordered. Called and was told they were on back order - Shelby rep had no time frame. Still no email on status. Need to call Monday to ask what the he$$ is up.

 

There's more, but you know ... I'm tired of typing.

 

Some time ago I had a deposit down for a GT350. Doing research I came across the stories about quality and customer service, etc. Then I started reading about tranny failures on the 525 Hp and 624 Hp cars (and there's lots of them). So I backed out of my order. I can't tell you how happy I am I did that.

 

Why people continue to pay the 50% Shelby tax on 350s and SSs and so forth, considering the service and quality and what you actually get for 30k - or whatever - is just beyond me. At least the values, although somewhat depressed, are still treading water for those who have shelled out the insane Shelby money. However, I feel like this may not last. Social media and instant communication has shifted the ball far into the consumer's court, leaving the running of con games much harder to pull off or continue to perpetuate.

 

i was excited when I started making enough money to buy an iconic Shelby. Unfortunately what I've learned is that it's mostly a ruse. Slick marketing backed by inaction, denial and third-party blame fueled by a just don't care that much attitude. Seems like these days it's just devolved into a below average aftermarket parts assembly shop with a good eye for slick designs and highly tuned marketing machine.

 

It's just a shame.

 

I'll just stick with compiling my own parts to complete a great look for 1/2 the price. You might want to seriously consider the same. I don't need all the fancy badges or plaqued serial number. It just isn't all that prestigious.

 

Ya'll be real careful out there.

[sheppd01]

+1

[Robert M]

I had been hesitant to buy a Super Snake hood sold by Shelby and made by Hulst customs. I've read about quality issues with the hood as well as significant prep times required.

 

Well I bought one anyways. And guess what ? It came with patched manufacturing defects.

 

In the attached picture you can see green patches. My body shop advises this is where Hulst customs inserted a patch post-mold because the thing came out of the mold with chunks out of it.

 

The kicker here is that these hoods come with a coat of primer already sprayed on. Why would they do this you ask ? I mean, especially considering the hoods come in such rough shape that this has to be sanded off anyways. Well, it's impossible to see major defects (such as the patches in this picture) until your body shop puts a good amount of prep work into it. By that time you're out money and might as well continue rather than ship it back and wait the Shelby required 'forever' to get another one back - especially if you've sold your OEM hood and your car is sitting hood less. So the coat of primer effectively hides manufacturing defects until you get hundreds of dollars into the process. Sneaky huh ?

 

Problem is that I love the look of these cars. All the design elements together make for a bit$h machine.

 

However, if you read enough and talk to enough people you'll learn that Shelby has significant issues with part quality, supply chain, customer service and third party (supplier) blame games.

 

Previously I had just read about all of this. Now I'm experiencing it first hand. Here are a few other first hand examples (and I've only ordered a hand full of parts from them, so my success rate isn't good):

 

2. Custom ordered vents for the hood without powder coating for the express, communicated, purpose of leaving them natural aluminum by clear powder coating them. Vents came so scarred and scratched up from assembly that I had to just color powder coat them anyways.

 

3. Ordered A-Pillar gauge pod and gauges. Shelby's eBay parts site was in error and I got sent 2 5/8 gauges instead of the 2 1/16 gauges that fit the pod. Shelby shipped a new kit. The kit must have been put together by a teenager because it came missing required parts (parts came zip tied in a sandwich Baggie). Tired of it, so just got the parts from Hillsman. Done.

 

4. Ordered a few other parts at the same time off of Shelby's eBay site. Got charged shipping on individual packages instead of Shelby bundling the order = excessive shipping charges. Parts came shipped in one box (Shelby pocketed the additional charges). Called the Shelby eBay parts guy who said he couldn't do anything about it. Said he would discount shipping on my next purchase. Arrogant huh ? Can you believe that ?

 

5. Ordered Red Line Shelby struts for the hood. No email from Shelby on ship confirmation or the fact they were back ordered. Called and was told they were on back order - Shelby rep had no time frame. Still no email on status. Need to call Monday to ask what the he$$ is up.

 

There's more, but you know ... I'm tired of typing.

 

Some time ago I had a deposit down for a GT350. Doing research I came across the stories about quality and customer service, etc. Then I started reading about tranny failures on the 525 Hp and 624 Hp cars (and there's lots of them). So I backed out of my order. I can't tell you how happy I am I did that.

 

Why people continue to pay the 50% Shelby tax on 350s and SSs and so forth, considering the service and quality and what you actually get for 30k - or whatever - is just beyond me. At least the values, although somewhat depressed, are still treading water for those who have shelled out the insane Shelby money. However, I feel like this may not last. Social media and instant communication has shifted the ball far into the consumer's court, leaving the running of con games much harder to pull off or continue to perpetuate.

 

i was excited when I started making enough money to buy an iconic Shelby. Unfortunately what I've learned is that it's mostly a ruse. Slick marketing backed by inaction, denial and third-party blame fueled by a just don't care that much attitude. Seems like these days it's just devolved into a below average aftermarket parts assembly shop with a good eye for slick designs and highly tuned marketing machine.

 

It's just a shame.

 

I'll just stick with compiling my own parts to complete a great look for 1/2 the price. You might want to seriously consider the same. I don't need all the fancy badges or plaqued serial number. It just isn't all that prestigious.

 

Ya'll be real careful out there.

 

I have a new set of Super Snake specific RedLines for sale, if you are having trouble getting them elsewhere. <<They are the top of the line Elites.

 

R

Edited October 11, 2014 by Robert M

[svtmattUT]

The positive thing is that SVT, engineering wise, is so damn good now (referring to the 2013-14 GT500 w/track pack) that shelby american can hardly improve upon it so they will be forced to vett better suppliers and caring more about customer service or risk obsolecence.

 

Car culture is funny, it's tough to take off your brand blindfold and admit that there are issues. Perhaps your notes will make it into a board meeting and inact change.

[1 Alibi 2]

Knew a guy who got a new SS, 2012 MY, right out of the gate he had paint issues with the hood.

Thought it was an isolated incident, guess that's just the way they do business.

I looked at the car & didn't think the build quality overall was worth 35K..

[Puddychucks]

It's in no way worth the 35k.

 

If you make a list and add up all the components that come on the former 350 package or the Super Snake package, you can see that the numbers differences are astounding.

 

And to boot - there are few things that are 'special' about the parts. Most everything is simply re-branded.

[Puddychucks]

My fear, for those guys/gals around who have paid the money, is that the bottom is gonna fall out of the "values" here shortly.

 

I'm not gonna hate on folks who have made that decision. I just think from what I've seen over the last few years that the 'value' squeeze is on. It may be happening slowly, but it's happening.

 

The cars coming out of SVT are just too good now.

[07 Black Beauty]

I think you will always have people that are willing to pay extra for the Shelby name and CSM #'s, that being said most would rather hand pick the mods they put on their cars making them truly unique and save cash in the process.

[2010KonaBlueGT]

I think you will always have people that are willing to pay extra for the Shelby name and CSM #'s, that being said most would rather hand pick the mods they put on their cars making them truly unique and save cash in the process.

 

Yup (see my sig).

 

And I got to keep my white stripes to boot.

 

 

Phill

[Puddychucks]

+1

[Patrick408]

+Infinity

[Toxicologist]

I guess it boils down down to the fact that our beloved Carroll Shelby is dead and buried - may God rest his soul - He would probably spin in his grave if he saw the quality issues being reported herein. He was not a builder as he was with Ford in the 1960s for the early GT350s / early GT500s, but he was involved with SVT for the 2007 - 2013/14 GT500s, and at least he even drove 2013 GT500 test mules / pre-production cars.

[Bill Ballantyne]

I feel your pain when reading this....every time I have ever ordered a part from Shelby for my 14 SS, there has been quality issues, back orders, blame game,poor service. I continue to drink the Koolaid though... I love the car/heritage and the people you get to meet at the Shelby bashes etc.

wish they would get their act together.

 

[SAI-Steven]

On 3/9/2019 at 5:03 AM, Bill Ballantyne said:

I feel your pain when reading this....every time I have ever ordered a part from Shelby for my 14 SS, there has been quality issues, back orders, blame game,poor service. I continue to drink the Koolaid though... I love the car/heritage and the people you get to meet at the Shelby bashes etc.

wish they would get their act together.

 

Bill, Shelby American is not in the kool-aid business so there is no need to drink any, unless you want to. While not knowing the specifics of your experience everyone here at Shelby American has someone above them who owners/enthusiasts can reach out to if they are not happy with the product/service SAI has provided them. 

Yes a customer should not have to do that in a perfect world but we are not in a perfect world and by going up the chain of command lets us know where we need to improve. There are not too many companies where someone can pick up the phone or send an email to the President, vice-president or department Director and get an immediate response. I'm proud to say that Shelby American is one of those rare companies.

Steven

[billbgt500]

Steve

I would love your phone number to call you back and share my experiences.

Hopefully you will be around long enough to make positive changes.

Hopefully run into you at the Shelby bash....

 

Regards

ps

I actually like beer more than Koolaide 

 

[SAI-Steven]

18 hours ago, billbgt500 said:

Steve

I would love your phone number to call you back and share my experiences.

Hopefully you will be around long enough to make positive changes.

Hopefully run into you at the Shelby bash....

 

Regards

ps

I actually like beer more than Koolaide 

 

Carroll/Amy brought me on board back in 2008 so I've been around a little while and hopefully will remain around a little bit longer. I can't promise changes but I am a voice for all Shelby owners & enthusiasts and have certainly irritated other department heads throughout the years by doing so. 

As you might guess this week is crazy busy for SAI and I'll be away from my desk running around most of the time but would love to meet you and hear about your experiences so just ask our receptionist at the front door of SAI to page me when you arrive at Shelby American.

Steve

PS- While the Silverton probably doesn't serve kool-aid, a beverage of your choice is on me, please no full bottles of that pricey imported stuff

 

[billbgt500]

Hi Steve,

thanks for all your hard work on putting the bash together, can’t be easy....this is the fourth year I have come down from Canada.

We love the Shelby people and having a chance to stretch my cars legs in Vegas!

so no top shelf booze at the Silverton? Lol

thanks again.