Not to take away from AC at all,,,,,BUT,,,,there were many other choices that were considered. I'm betting the TR-3 was not among them (sorry Hal, great car it is,
).
But consider the graceful lines of the Austin Healey 3000's, much like a an ACE, as many European cars of the era were in fact. And one of the cars he considered. I doubt Shelby was looking for a "graceful" car as much as he was looking for the right car to make into a "race car". He was GOING to build a race car one way or another! He was GOING to find the right partners, sooner or later. Donald Healey was doing fine without Shelby, he didn't NEED to form a partnership at that time.
Besides the Healey would have required substantial frame and suspension modifications. But if the right "deal" could have been worked out, thats what we would be driving today! And it would LOOK as good, in my opinion. A rose by another name, in the end.
Good call going with AC, they needed the business, they had a car that was "in the ball park" AND the partnership benefitted all concerned. No doubt, AC was ecstatic at this opportunity that, in my opinion, "saved their butt"!
Myself, I prefer the 427 body style. It sure doesn't look "bloated" to me! It looks "manly"! It looks graceful in a "serious" way! I love the bulging muscle look of the flared fenders. I'm also glad we have a choice between the two extremes, Slab Side or 427.
Had it not been for AC, Shelby simply would have found someone else. AC, and there is little doubt in my mind, would have been the footnote. I'm glad to see it all worked for both great companies! I used to look at my Big Healey and think,,,,,,"What might have been".
Ernie