We also have the online SVT store with SVT-licensed products, which I don't think anyone else is producing. I went through the whole Ford licensing process so I could put real SVT-branded products out there, which is keeping us really busy today. A lot of people say, "What about this? They used to make this shirt." And I'm saying, "Just bear with us." My job is to take care of the members to get them what they want and make them happy. I'm up to the task.
MM: We know it's early, but are there any other ideas for the future?
Cipriani: There are some other things we'd like to do. We're not just a Cobra club and we're not just an SVT club. You don't have to own an SVT vehicle to join. There are other clubs out there that we would like to partner with for events, so there could be some teaming up in the future. We definitely want to make sure people know about our events. We need to have more, including car shows. Just having people coming together, like these guys sitting here just talking. It's what they want to do. It's an awfully hot day here for people to be walking around and looking at SVT vehicles, but they're doing it. I want to make more opportunities for them to do that.
MM: You have a website, right?
Cipriani: Absolutely, at www.svtoa.com. We have our own forum where we try to answer questions. Even technical questions. We'll try to get to the bottom of it, even if we have to call one of the original Ford SVT engineers. We're not afraid to do that. At least we have the ability to do that, which sets us apart from all the other clubs out there.
MM: We noticed that you're already being treated as a celebrity.
Cipriani: Well, one guy had the award plaque that I designed for the SVT 10th Anniversary and he wanted me to sign it. I told him, "You don't want me to sign. I'm just a graphic designer."