Carroll Shelby

[CHANMADD]

As a Vendor of licensed apparel for Mr Shelby, I can tell you that we had nothing but pleasant and positive experiences in our dealings. In fact at the Phoenix Big Boys Toys show ,a few years ago Mr Shelby, in a wheel chair ,the whole family, and Tracy made a trip to our stand to say hello. Both my wife and I where super impressed that he even cared................He worked every day to enable funds for his Heart foundation .......RIP.....
Also ,don't forget........the 60s was kinda the wild west of the auto industry............

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by CHANMADD

As a Vendor of licensed apparel for Mr Shelby, I can tell you that we had nothing but pleasant and positive experiences in our dealings. In fact at the Phoenix Big Boys Toys show ,a few years ago Mr Shelby, in a wheel chair ,the whole family, and Tracy made a trip to our stand to say hello. Both my wife and I where super impressed that he even cared................He worked every day to enable funds for his Heart foundation .......RIP.....

That is great to hear! Thanks. I wish I would have bought mine a year ago so I would have at least had a chance to actually meet him...

I have a book titled "Shelby Cobra Fifty Years" by Colin Comer. I have read a bit more than half of it so far. Thre are quite a few race legends discussed in the book. How many of them are still around today? Do they make appearances at shows, Dream Cruises, etc...?

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by saturnkk

... How many of them are still around today? Do they make appearances at shows, Dream Cruises, etc...?

Surprisingly, quite a few. Bob Bondurant, Jack Sears, Allen Grant and Peter Brock (and others) were all at the Shelby American Collection fundraiser this fall. Watch for events here and on other sites as they do appear at events on the west coast quite often.

[REAL 1]

No issues. Enjoy the forum. Between your readings and the guys here you will learn a lot.

[DougD]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

No issues. Enjoy the forum. Between your readings and the guys here you will learn a lot.

I wholeheartedly agree. This forum is by far the best one of which I have ever been a member. Some of the members sometimes forget that their screen names hide their true identities and come off as hard asses, but if you have, or can develop, a thick skin, the wealth of knowledge here is unparalleled. If you are truly a fan of the Cobra (and Carroll Shelby) then this is the place for you. Go back and read the thousands of posts on whatever subject interests you. You will be amazed at the breadth of knowledge here.

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by DougD

If you are truly a fan of the Cobra (and Carroll Shelby) then this is the place for you.

Been a fan since I first saw one when I was about 10. Always been in my top 3 cars...

Never knew very much about the man so I am starting to learn.

Just finished reading this intertesting interview (25 Questions with Carroll Shelby) from December 1997:

25 Questions With Carroll Shelby - American Muscle Car - Motor Trend

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by DougD

Go back and read the thousands of posts on whatever subject interests you. You will be amazed at the breadth of knowledge here.

To this I agree. This forum has been around quite a while, so rest assured that every topic you've raised has already been discussed in great detail already, and for most of the topics you raise, many times. So it's not surprising that you are sensing a written "roll of the eyes to the back of the head" along with a "Sigh, not again" reaction.

Remember the best forum motto:

SEARCH can be your friend.

Great looking car. Good luck!

Cheers,
Tony

[BMK]

I disagree - No I think the majority of the people here are a hard ass unfriendly bunch..

Now that will fire it up..

Interesting how a .. Can put a whole different reflection on comments. Perhaps the faces should be used a little more...

Shelby has/had nothing but my admiration he was kind enough to speak briefly to me at SAAC at Fontanna a few years back asking me if I travelled over with those neat guys from the Sydney Mustang club.

When I replied I travelled on my own he was genuinely concerned that I should meet with them so I
was not alone.

When I went to DenBeste in North California to see my Shelby 468 aluminium engine and meet the guys there I learnt a lot about CS and the work he was doing for the Foundation.

Have a safe and Happy New Year all.

Enjoy the ride...

[razerwire]

To bad you can't go back to first of 2012. This was 50 year of cobra. Was several events that probably won't happen again. I had a great year going to several events, some high lights for me was Pomona Reunion, Nice to see my car on Car Crazy and to see and hear from invited guests. Laguna Seca had Cobra as the featured marque. More cobras in one place than I have seen in a long time. Special display of rare cobras, all cobra race, parade laps, events all week long. Made the trip to LA SAAC car show at Santa Monica pier and got to talk to Allen Grant again. Also had fun locally at car shows and Graffiti week. Look forward to next year, SAAC will be on west coast. Also look forward to this coming years Modesto Graffiti since Lucas is retired and as I understand coming this year with some surprises? Have fun with your car. Events are posted on club cobra so you can make plans for next year.

[AL427SBF]

There are many here well read on Caroll Shelby and I take no sides on this debate of the good vs. the bad. The man's character is what it was, and those elements of it (whether you view them as good or bad), is probably what it took to birth the Cobra. For example, many view George S. Patton as a social failure and total a-hole, but if you're going to war, who are you going to send in? Ok, you get it - be happy the man lived, otherwise you would probably be another run-of-the-mill vette owner

But, I also believe some have gotten the short end of the stick with the Cobra story. Yes, Shelby had the vision - but he did not do this on his own. Very little is said about the talent involved across the pond from AC, the genius behind the chassis and body design. I would like to know who those gifted people were - no easy feat to put massive power to the road in a good handling package with sex appeal off the charts. Who were these men from AC lost in the Shelby shadow, they deserve some light of there own.

[B.M.B.C]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

There are many here well read on Caroll Shelby and I take no sides on this debate of the good vs. the bad. The man's character is what it was, and those elements of it (whether you view them as good or bad), is probably what it took to birth the Cobra. For example, many view George S. Patton as a social failure and total a-hole, but if you're going to war, who are you going to send in? Ok, you get it - be happy the man lived, otherwise you would probably be another run-of-the-mill vette owner

But, I also believe some have gotten the short end of the stick with the Cobra story. Yes, Shelby had the vision - but he did not do this on his own. Very little is said about the talent involved across the pond from AC, the genius behind the chassis and body design. I would like to know who those gifted people were - no easy feat to put massive power to the road in a good handling package with sex appeal off the charts. Who were these men from AC lost in the Shelby shadow, they deserve some light of there own.

Alan Turner was chief engineer at AC Cars very rarely does he get mentioned on either side of the pond. I'm sure there was several other un named people that wrenched on the prototype cars back in the 60s.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by B.M.B.C

Alan Turner was chief engineer at AC Cars very rarely does he get mentioned on either side of the pond. I'm sure there was several other un named people that wrenched on the prototype cars back in the 60s.

BMBC that's what I was curious about, WikipediA says Turner was responsible for the re-design of the early cars to accomodate rack and pinion. I'm sure more to the man than that, AC's racing history is not trivial. Found this Shelby Timeline via a European forum/enthusiast? Can't vouch for the accuracy of what is said here so I'll let the experts refute if they feel a need. The AC COBRA history

Note the fine print at the top ...
Written by Jerry Heasley with thanks to Rick Kopeck and the Shelby American Automobile Club for their help in providing the historic information presented here as well as Carroll Shelby who added points never before published. Used by permission of Carroll Shelby: Carroll Shelby - An American Icon

[REAL 1]

The Americans down play the AC role.

The Brits down play the Shelby role.

I think we Yanks got it right unless you count Ken Miles.

Cheerio.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

The Americans down play the AC role.

The Brits down play the Shelby role.

I think we Yanks got it right unless you count Ken Miles.

Cheerio.

Without Shelby the AC would have suffered the fate of the Berkeley. Without AC Shelby would have faded into oblivion. It was a very symbiotic relationship.

And you're right about Ken Miles.

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

The Americans down play the AC role.

The Brits down play the Shelby role.

I think we Yanks got it right unless you count Ken Miles.

Cheerio.

What about Ford?!?

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by saturnkk

What about Ford?!?

For that part of the story read AJ Baime's Go Like Hell.

[REAL 1]

I think you underestimate Shelby. We will never know though.

Ford played an instrumental role in the success of SAI and the Cobra. Not well publicized but real none the less.