Unique Performance victims sue Carroll Shelby

Posted Wed Apr 2 2008 2:07 PM by Nelson Ireson

Just days after the liquidation of the shady car customizer's assets, Carroll Shelby has been served with a suit brought by the former customers of Unique Performance, the Texas company that engaged in title-washing and other scandalous behavior that eventually led to its bankruptcy and criminal charges against its owner, Doug Hasty. Shelby's only involvement in the Unique Performance operation was his licensing of the use of the Shelby brand for certain models.

Mike Erinakes, a local businessman who paid $162,750 to Unique Performance for a Shelby Mustang Super Snake, is a plaintiff in one of the suits. He is claiming that Shelby's endorsement of the cars was the determining factor in his decision to purchase, and that the endorsement makes Shelby liable for Unique Performance's failure to deliver the Super Snake after the business was raided and shut down late last year, reports the Farmer's Branch, Texas affiliate of CBS.

A former Secret Service Agent, James Bartee, has filed a similar lawsuit against Shelby. He had purchased a Shelby Mustang GT 350SR from the doomed customizer.

"No one would have ordered these cars if it wasn't for Carroll Shelby," Bartee said.

Sixty-one cars were seized when Unique Performance was raided in November last year, and in theory each of the owners of those cars could bring a suit like those of Bartee and Erinakes.

The recent liquidation of the company's assets massed over $1 million in sales - enough to cover the $900,000 IRS bill for unpaid taxes, but leaving the 140 people with claims against the firm to divide the remaining $137,000. If the lawsuits against Shelby are successful, the precedent could be set for the rest of those owed money by Unique Performance to seek the remainder from the racing and customization legend.

Reader Comments

Wed Apr 2 2008 4:27 PM
Chris says

While I certainly can't help but feel bad for Carroll Shelby now being sued by the former customers of Unique Performance, I would have to throw my hat in on the side of the plantiffs of this case. Mr. Shelby's representatives should have sensed something was not kosher about this company long before the IRS raided and shut down the struggling company. I'm just sorry that Mr Shelby may be forever linked to this disaster.
Wed Apr 2 2008 5:34 PM
Gus says

It is a bummer, but I doubt Shelby made any profit from this, and so he would be immune from any lawsuit.
It's really hard to sue somebody "around a corner" as my lawyer buddy says...
Sat Aug 30 2008 2:15 AM
jimmy finnig says

Shelby made millions off of this partnership. He sold licensing agreements, parts, motors, etc. He was just as much involved as unique. The problems started with his motors causing problems which created delays. Doug's partner Shelby refused to take care of any of the motor problems...yeah, the ones that he built. So much for Shelby's reputation.

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