Carroll Shelby Tribute thread. Be a part of it.

[pcoghlan]

I grew up in Surbiton, just south west of London and about 5 miles from Thames Ditton where the AC Cobra originated. I used to walk past the factory many years ago as a kid.

I applaud Carroll Shelby's involvement in combining the AC with the Ford powerplant. Without his actions the Cobra would never have been what it became. I wish credit was equally being applied to others that made the Cobra what it became but cannot take away what Shelby achieved.I do regret his decisions apropos AC's involvement but as they say, that is all water under the bridge.

[tmareina]

I was VERY close to buying a NEW 427 S/C back in 1967...had, as I can recollect, about 37 miles on the odometer, was solid red with 2 - 4's on a 427 side oiler. All for the HUGE price tag of $7,400.00 and change including tax & license. I was 20 years old and had a good job (the fact that gas was 24 cents a gallon for premium) was not the issue. I got cold feet and didn't buy it...I kick myself regularly for not pulling the trigger at the time...but hey...hindsight is 20-20. I was drawn to the car by Carrol's racing legacy and finally, in 2005 with retirement fast approaching I bought a replica of the car I coveted all those years. The wait was well worth it and I rationalize the origonal non-purchase to I probably would have killed myself in the car had I bought it at 20.

Thanks Carrol for your perseverance and success that have made all of us a little richer in happiness over the years.

Tom

[JWilly]

I was in high school (I graduated in 1965) about the time Carroll Shelby was wreaking havoc in the car world. I grew up poor as a snake in the rural South and the only exposure I had to the Cobra was through magazines (e.g., Motor Trend, Hot Rod). BTW, I still have the copies of those mags that contain the Cobra road tests. There was no one anywhere near me that had a Cobra. In fact, I saw my first original Cobra, just a few years ago. But I spent hours reading and re-reading those articles. I thought the Cobra was, without a doubt, the coolest car ever made. As an adult, there would be occasional conversations in which the exploits of the Shelby Cobra was the topic but I had pretty much given up on ever even seeing one, much less owning anything that resembled a Cobra. When I was in my 50’s, I attended a car show that had a SPF replica on display. This was the first I knew of replica Cobras. At that show, they let me sit in the car and I was hooked. A few years later I purchased an SPF. Later, I decided I wanted something that had Carroll Shelby’s name on it and purchased a CSX 4000/6000 series car. Now, I am ready to retire. I worried for years that since I had no hobby, how can I make my retirement fun and meaningful? These cars are a part of the answer to that question. Even though I do not have and cannot afford an original Cobra, the Shelby Cobra has enriched my life in ways I never could have imagined. I have dozens of friends and have had innumerable great times I would not have had without these cars. I am really glad Carroll Shelby produced the coolest car ever made.

[boxhead]

To say thanks, My own personal love for these cars started in approx 1980, I was all of 10 or 11 years old and I was with my Stepfather at a boat yard.
This all black 427 sc replica (I am assuming it wasa replica) Cobra was sitting in the carpark, my stepfather knew cars (he raced through the 70's and 80's) and he told me what it was.
I made him hang around in the carpark so I could look at it some more, and by luck the owner arrived, he started it up and drove away, the look and the sound never left me.
I made a promise to myself that day that I would own one one day and I also promised myself that I would not own any other V8 cars until I had my Cobra.
Well, I managed to keep that promise and owned plenty of fast 4's and a couple of modified 6's, but never an 8.
A few years after this, I heard Bill Cosby's 200mph, this only served as a reminder of whatI wanted.

I knew all along I would never get a genuine one.

After many years of working and honestly getting no closer to fulfilling this dream, it was time to move location so I could earn more money to get one.
That move happened in 2002, and within 12 monthes I had saved the money to purchase my kit.
The years of saving and building have been fantastic, and with the car now being registered fo 12 months, I can add that owning and driving one has been fantastic. There really is no beter thing to make me smile than sliding behind the wheel and going for a drive.

So thank you Mr Shelby for making me smile.

[Don]

From AutoWeek.com

" Carroll Shelby honored with Keith Crain achievement award "

" Famed car designer Carroll Shelby received the 2011 Keith Crain/Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday evening during the Washington auto show.

The award is given annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the auto industry.

"I accept this award with all of the humility a person could have," Shelby said.

Shelby created the Shelby Cobra and has inspired designs for American sports cars for decades.

"If ever there was an icon in our industry, Carroll Shelby is it," said Keith Crain, AutoWeek and Automotive News editor-in-chief. "He has been the driving force behind putting power and performance in great American cars and thereby representing our industry throughout the world, both on the racetrack and the highway."

The two previous winners were auto-safety pioneer Ralph Nader and U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich. "

[Don]

HD Theater TV Special: America's Greatest Race Car: The History of the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe Racecar, .............

http://dhd.discovery.com/tv-schedule...338.128157.0.0

[Don]

In progress......

" The Antique Automobile Club of America's museum in Hershey, Pa., has just opened a retrospective of Carroll Shelby's long life and the long line of cars he's created The exhibition was born out of a local Shelby meet at the museum last fall, which drew 125 cars, says Dan Reiter, longtime Shelby American Automobile Club member and Shelby racer who helped round up the cars "


http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...CTOR/110309926

[rodneym]

I’d like to say that I saw my first Cobra as a 7 year old kid. But these cars lived and died (figuratively speaking, of course) before I was born. I would also like to say that I’m a Cobra fan because my dad had one, but…..well, he was a GM man. Ford was his dad’s car. Chevy was for the younger generation. After all, Fangio raced Chevys (in Argentina) when my dad was a little kid. No Ford Blue in my blood. And when my dad was finished climbing the brand ladder with GM, he indulged in a couple Alfas, one of which was a 1975 red Montreal. I can still remember him arriving home for the first time. Che macchina!
As a teenager I spent a fair amount of time reading about Ferraris and Maseratis. I built models of them as best I could and even attempted to crunch some numbers on a real one (let’s see, if I stay single and forgo a house, I might be able to afford a 288 GTO!). I won’t bore anyone with my 20’s and 30’s but later in life I found myself with something I had never had before, ‘disposable income’. Alas! A used 550 Maranello? A gently used Maserati GranSport? Still pretty steep. I found the Lotus Elise more fun anyway. Then in my journey I discovered Cobras and the replica market (whew). After test driving and renting those cars (and more), I drove a Superformance Cobra with a Supercharged Roush. Wow. Needless to say, the entire experience put the other cars to shame. The sound, raw power, wind and timeless shape!
After I dealt with the dirty ‘R’ word, I came across the history of a man whose name I had known mostly for being on Dodge hatchbacks in the 80’s. I admired the audacity of a man from humble beginnings, taking on the biggest name in racing, and winning! It reminds me of what people can do when they put their minds to it, how piss and vinegar can cause more drive than anything, and what national pride used to look like. We sit down at our keyboards and bicker about the details but Carroll Shelby did it! He’s the real deal. I’m in awe of him. And if I ever meet him I’m going to tell him how thankful I am for his efforts.

[Craig Munschy]

I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Shelby, never got his autograph, but I did have the honor of owning one of his great sports cars (CSX-2318) for a while. Shelby lived a great life and it was just his time. The automotive world and enthusiasts have lost a true gem. My sympathy to his family. He was truly one of a kind. Long live the Shelby name, may it continue to shine forever. RIP Carroll Shelby...

[4Ever FE]

I went out 'n' fired up THe Torino this morning. There's no mistaking the sound of a 427 FE s/o w/solid lifters. And, no mistaking the Cobra on the fenders.

[WallyB]

I grew up in El Segundo and attended Imperial street elementary in 1965-66. I looked and lusted at the marvels parked outside Shelby American from the hill on Imperial Ave. I used to stop by the Shelby showroom at Main and Grand and schmooze the ladies at the counter for some snake decals! I'm currently building a Hi Tech replica using their frame and body with everything else purchased from Shelby American in Las Vegas. It's been the time of my life getting to know so many people in the Cobra world and cultivating knowledge and parts from all these great folks!

Thank you Carroll Shelby for your incredible accomplishments and perseverance! I'd love to buy you a toddy or two at the Harbor Room sometime.

[kbutler971]

Hi:
Wally B, you grew up in El Segundo, I grew up in Manhattan Beach, grade school in the '60's. Small world. I can remember my dad pointing out the Shelby American factory at LAX and seeing the Cobras and GT-350's lined up outside. At then time the guy across the alley drove a '65 GT-350 and traded it for a '66 with the plexi side quarter windows. Looked at Contemporary's and ERA's in the early '80's, couldn't afford either, fast forward to now, have an early CCX 427S/C currently in rehab (and very good hands) at a top secret location in NH. Cobras are still the pinnacle of bada$$, can't wait to get it over here and show the locals (really nice guys and serious petrolheads) with the latest German and Italian rocket sleds some vintage american muscle. All thanks to Carroll S. and team.
Kirk

[shelby7]

My father bought an original GT500 Cobra Shelby with a 428 Cobra Jet Engine back in 1969. He is an original owner and it is registered in the shelby registry.
He passed away a few years ago and my mother has the title and is wanting to sell it.

I have been warming it up and driving it to keep it running smooth. Man this car has a punch! Wanted to race it but i didnt want a ticket!!

well, this car my dad admired, used it as a vehicle until 1974 then started to preserve it. It only has 62,600 miles total.

He kept it in a garage and many people love this Shelby and had few offers here and there.

We love what Carroll Shelby was a part of and the more i sit in it, the harder it is to sell it! However, it must be sold since we cannot just give this car to one family member and not another. Much can be argued about who would get this car.

If anyone knows a real possible buyer...let me know.

I have pictures in my gallery.

Thanks!

Kenny
407-421-5043- Orlando Florida
kbusiness@live.com

[kitman3]

As a Cobra lover I have recreated all of the original Cobra and GT40 articles I could find form Sports Car Graphic magazine to share on my blog at Metaphors in Motion

School for Speed:
Shelby's high performance driving school Page 1

Track Test Ford GT40:
Page 2

Road Test/21 - 62 Shelby AC Cobra Road Test and Technical Review:
Page 4

Carroll Shelby's 260 cu in. Cobra:
Page 4

Ford GT40
Page 6

Double Test: 427 Cobra's for Street and Competition:
Page 6

Original text and photos with some extras thrown in - ENJOY!

[plinko]

Carroll Shelby , was a true legend someone even kids now days looked up to which is hard to think , that he could span time, and all that knew of him ,were in awe of his generosity , and true humantarism that he showed to all.
Heaven gained a beautiful angel , and we were all better for knowing him,his light will shine down on the car world for a long time, I was forunate enough to meet him and get to talk to the legend I was like a giddy little kid , but it did not seem to faze him , and he acted like a gentleman with poise and grace , and never seem to make you think he was any better than you.
Carroll I know when you look down from heaven , the stars will shine so much brighter just cause you are there. it is a sad day for us but I know at least you are not in pain or having any problems anymore and for that I will smile ,and remember the man the legend ,save a place for me up there ok.

Mickey

[dave from mesa]

RIP Carroll.

[REAL 1]

I learned the news today. I am truly and deeply saddened. It is a great loss of a great American and automotive icon and legend.

There were many here over the years who were critical of Carroll, sometimes understandably but he was human and had faults like all of us. Who amoung us can go 89 years without a mistake or error in judgment?

On balance his achievements and pluses far outweighed the negative. He was charitable, he loved kids, he was patriotic, a military veteran and truly epitomized the "no fear" slogan.

He came from little but achieved greatly in many ways demonstrating the American dream that hard work, grit, tenacity and brains (with a little luck) can take you to places of your dreams in our great country.

He brought us much and made America proud with his automotive achievements. He brought us the many iconic cars that we all cherish today even if we aren't fortunate enough to own one. He brought us perhaps the most recognizable car of all time, the Cobra. It was and still is the King of the Hill of muscle cars from the golden era of cars, the 1960s. He showed what American ingenuity, tenacity and determination could accomplish by fielding the first American Powered car to beat Ferrari at LeMans and win a world manufacturers title in 1965 and follow it up it 1966 with the world famous effort at LeMans with the GT40.

I for one, will miss the fact he is longer with us. My condolences to his family and those close to him.

He, however, is still with us through his cars and his legend.

He made us proud.

Thanks, Carroll.

[gjcomb]

I grew up in Southern California, so my teenage years besides being a good kid also included getting into a little trouble here & there (nothing major, mind you), especially street racing here & there. Saturday night around 11:30-12:30 was when you'd get together with the LA Street Racers and plan where you were going to run (or just check out the next man's machine rumbling down your way...sometimes, it was for some cash, other times for the pink slip. Sometimes, you see some crazy machines - one guy brought a dragster, although I never saw it run. A few times we ended up by the factories that occupied Avalon Blvd up to Central Avenue - nice long straightaway with the LAPD on the other end! Still, some wicked machines showed up...

But, my first encounter with a Cobra (427SC) was not with the street racers, but cruising on Van Nuys Blvd (after we'd cruise over from the Hawthorne Blvd area). I was in a '66 Nova SS that sported a super than normal modified 454 with a B&M Hydro. While this was a mean-spirited looking GM product, the Cobra that was next to us with its wide looking butt (fenders and tires) were really bad-ass looking. Of course, we did not run and the guy driving the Cobra never looked at me. But, I looked at his machine and wondered...I could not afford to get something like that, and was a GM fan for a number of years. When I was serving in the Navy, a buddy of mine decide to build a model of the GT40. I asked about the car, and he looked at me as if I was from another planet not knowing the history of the GT40.

In the mid-seventies, I inquired about Contemporary Cobras in New York and learned that they wanted to get a distributorship set up on the West Coast and here was a chance for me to get a replica at a decent price and discounted parts since I'd be a distributor for the car.

Nope - did not happen until the mid 90's when I did pick up a Contemporary Cobra with an FE setup and Jaguar suspension that I currently have today.

All this is owed to hearing about Shelby's cars and performance parts when I was a kid in high school.

My condolences to the Shelby family and my respects to the man who is now immortalized as the greatest American auto legend.

RIP GC

[bobbyboy]

Carroll , you were & are the the PRESIDENT of the Ford Car world , you will be GREATLY missed , my greatest moment is when I convinced you to let me buy you a beer at Saac 30 !!!!!

[Dirty Harry]

The concept was just 'way too crazy. Far too much power in a lightweight chassis made for far less ambitious driving. But CS pulled it off and pulled away from the pack. In fact, you could easily argue that he lapped the field. He was a visionary who backed it up with success after success.

I fell in love with the muscular lines of the S/C car and ached to have one. In 1992 I jumped into the then-sketchy kit car world and built one of the replicas that Shelby so detested. I didn't do it to spit in his face or to rip him off in some way. It was just that I loved those cars and couldn't afford a real one. Ol' Shel's cars could give you the itch that just had to be scratched.

The performance car world was never the same after Shelby retired from driving. I'm grateful for the lasting influence he leaves behind.