Carroll Shelby Tribute thread. Be a part of it.

[Power Surge]

Like most people, the Cobra dream started for me at an early age. I was always a car person, and in my childhood years I was not loyal to any brand, as I didn't even know what brands were back then. I just liked cool looking cars. As I entered my teens, I became a tried and true Ford nut, and the 427 Cobra SC was the top of the list of dream cars. In my teen years I had many posters, articles cut of of magazines, and other Cobra related items hung on my bedroom walls, with dreams of owning one of these awesome cars.

Fast forward to today. I am 33 and own a performance Ford shop and dyno tuning center. I've owned over 60 Fords since I was 15 years old. A few years back, I realized that I COULD finally get into a Cobra replica. I went out and purchased a kit. I realized that even though it was a great product, it would still leave me yearning for the real thing. So now I own CSX4241, which I have been taking painstaking measures to turn into an accurate recreation of an original car. That in itself, is a big challenge, considering how many differences there were between the original cars, but that also makes it more fun.

The Cobra is the greatest icon in automotive history, bar none. There is no other car, that was made in such small numbers, that has such a huge following 40 years later. Dozens and dozens of companies have replicated the Cobra over the years, which is a great testiment to how much demand there is for people to live their dreams. And the car itself is timeless. The lines are still as sexy today as they were 40 years ago. And the bare bones 40 year old race technology, still keeps the Cobra up to speed with all but the most exotic or high dollar speed machines today.

Carroll Shelby is the man who made this all happen. While there were many others involved in the creation and building of the car, without Carroll, there was no Cobra.

So I thank you Carroll, for giving the world such a masterpiece of automotive history.

Oh, and those Cobra posters I had hangning on my walls as a teen 20 years ago? They are hanging in my office here at my shop. I kept them all these years, and they were my incentive to obtain my dream.

[55312]

In 1966 I was going through the FoMoCo apprentiship program in upstate NY. The dealership I worked for was owned by a fellow whose family was drenched in cash and one of the nephews showed up with a COB right hand drive FIA. He'd driven the car from San Diego and the fan died somewhere outside of Phoenix. Underterred, he drove on and pulled into the shop with it sounding like an old John Deere 2 cylinder. Parts were rare for these things in that time so while we waited on a new fan, we rolled it on to the wash rack and adjusted the lifters one cylinder at a time, then button it up, hose it down and start the next cylinder. It took the better part of a day to get the engine running right! As a reward for the hassle of doing this, I was offered a "test ride" - being too young (I was 16) to be allowed in the drivers seat. That ride will always be in my mind! I couldn't lift my back off the seat until we hit 4th gear. I was hooked. After a series of sports cars (Sprites, TR3s etc) and a few Ford street machines one of which was a 55 2 door custom with a 312 in it - hence my moniker, I navigated the kids in college mine field and set out to get my own Cobra. All I can say is Carrol Shelby put this thing on the map and having met him last year at Limerock, he seems the consumate gentleman. Thanks for all of the smiles I get everytime I drive this beast!

BTW - I found that old COB on the registry and it now lives in California with a left hand steering set up installed!

Tim

[Thieleng]

A long time ago I had the opportunity to meet Carrol Shelby while attending the 7th grade in Las Vegas. During "career day" I listed that I wanted to be, a race car driver, to my recollection I was the only one out of the junior high to do this. To my surprise Mr. Shelby attended the career day and took the time out of his busy schedule to talk with me about his experiences as well as giving me a ride in his aluminum bodied cobra (this looks like the same car that is in the Shelby museum in Las Vegas). It was an experience of a life time and left an impression upon me that I still remember vividly today. I always wanted to race and I always wanted to have a cobra. After the kids left and I had some disposable money I bought my SPF and fulfilled a lifelong dream. I have met a lot of nice people and immensly enjoy driving the car and I owe this this to Carrol, and to the memories he created over 40 years ago.

[*13*]

I saw my 1st Cobra when I was about 13 on a friend of the Family's fire place mantle. I went on to say how much I liked Corvettes. Someone corrected me explaining that it was no corvette, it was a cobra. I argued, no it isn't it's a corvette, I know cause my dad has one! Fast forward quite a few years... I pulled into a 76 station to fill up & in pulls a 427 cobra, probably a replica but a fine example if it was. That's when the Obsession started. The sound, the smell & the look of the A/C & Shelby cobra just does something to the senses of any self respecting man that cannot be explained without positively bad words. Thank You Carroll Shelby for turning your dream into a reality & inspiring so many car dorks

[RACERAL]

Mr. Shelby,
Many thanks go out to you and your many talented staff over the years that have made a icon. Never has such a name sent cold chills up and down so many peoples spine.
Please except the people like me and many others that don't have the means , but love your creation just as much, maybe more, then the owners of the "real ones".
Sir, we honor you with our creations.

[Ron61]

I first saw a Cobra in 1963 at the old Riverside driving school. I was working near there then and tried to buy a 289 for a couple of years, but by the time I could afford one, they had quit making them and I didn't really like the big blocks as I felt they didn't handle as well. Sorry, no intention to start a fight, just an observation. Then other things happend and I can no longer afford an original of any kind, but I followed Shelby's career before the Cobra was born while he was proving to the Europeans that Americians can drive on a road course. Though some of what he has done in the later years may have tarnished his reputation to a degree, I think he will always be the icon for Americian Road Racing and the Cobra will be a car that will never be forgotten.

Ron

[gsharapa]

Growing up in Chicago in the 60s, I saw my first Cobra and Shelby Mustangs at Jack Loftus Ford in Hinsdale, Illinois. Being in high school and from a Ford family they were the ultimate performance cars for this teenage and a dream that someday would come true. Seeing the cars at the drag strips and ElKart Lake are memories to cherish! Loved Fords/Shelbys so much I ended up working for a couple of Ford dealers in college and then Ford Motor Company for 28 years now. Over those years I have had many performance Fords including Cobras, GT40, Boss 9/302s Pantera etc but my heart has always been with the Cobra and GT350 Mustang. Had the opportunity to meet Carroll many times over the years including a few signatures on some of my cars. What a legacy this man has created by following his dreams and giving so many of us the opportunity to experience a small part of his visions. For me it was a push towards a career in the auto industry and to pursue the many cars I have had over the years. Thanks Carroll for following your dreams!

[Nedsel]

I still have the picture I shot of a maroon 289 Cobra at the NY Auto Show in '64. To my mind, it was the best combination of style, size, and appearance anywhere. In the summer of '65 I was treated to a ride in a 2521, a BRG example of the marque. That experience confirmed that the Cobra wasn't just about looks. Being in high school at the time, the dream was there but it had to wait.

Ten months after graduating from college, I scraped together $5500 and bought 2306. That was April '72. There have been 6 other Cobras and three GT350's in my garage since, but 2306 never fails to put a huge smile on my face. And that's what it's all about. You created a phenomenon.

Carroll, I consider the occasional opportunities to spend time with you icing on the Cobra cake. You are a true individual, the likes of which will likely not be seen again any time soon, if at all. I congratulate you on your successes and wish you many more.

Ned Scudder

[snakeless]

AS a ski season employee ,college break,in Lake PLACID NY. I was standing on main street with a snow bunnie ,hey this has to sound good , and flying by throughing snow from all 4 wheels was a 63 cobra and yes I WAS I LOVE . now for you folks who are slack in the jaw some in for the history buffs this was one of the 1st cobras sold as the owner told me he purchased it from the ny auto show as it was on tour with the FORD auto display,as it was told to me he as a restaurnt owner he carred checks on him and ask the show mgr for ford was it for sale he said the price and a check was givin ,when the show ended he got a call from the city to come and pick up the car. as a side bar I have the auto show program in good condition with i belive to be one of the early ads for a cobra with picture andI would part with it for the right offer???. on the four wheels through snow commentyou see he drove it in the winter with spiked snow tyres on all FOUR WHEELS what a site for a young man,so of course I had to have one so at 21 I purchased a 64 ac cobra off a ford used car lot ofter trading in my 61 vette .. oh those were the days . thanks carroll you chicken farmer

[mrhtwls]

What started it for me was the confidence and swagger Carroll showed in all of his undertakings. I'm to young to have been there to witness it, but the Shelby Cobra became my favorite car in just reading of the racing accomplishments. Learning the Shelby history was best use of Northern Illinois Universities research library I could think of. To say "Ferarris Ass is Mine!" and back it up with a sound pounding with limited resources and a small group of talented guys. Not only can the man talk big, but he can back it up bigtime.

He reminded me of that during a breakfast, the morning following the Shelby American Museum Charity Dinner, held in Colorado in December '06. I was introducing Phil Remmington to a friend of mine and Carroll broke in, asking what I was talking about. I replied "Just Bullsh!tting Phil about my friend." To which he replied, "There's is already too much bullsh!t in the world. If you are going to say something, make it worthwhile."

The Cobra and the Shelby Mustangs were my boyhood dreams. Carroll, taking Ferrarri down a notch with Shelby American, hell that is every entrepenuer's dream.

Thank you for the inspiration Carroll. ~Patrick Krook, ShowYourAuto.com

[bigmike]

I saw my first cobra in a Ford dealership when I was in high school, with a still-wet driver's license, and never relented until I one of my own, albeit a replica (38 years later). A random thought: what if ol' Shel had not gathered together the likes of Ken Miles, Phil Remington, Pete Brock, and the Peat brothers to create all of these wonderful things? Would this be Club MG?
THANKS MR. SHELBY!!!
Big Mike

[Dans65]

I was in 3rd grade when we moved to our new townhome and our neighbor had 2 Mustang coupes, a white 1969 and a light green 1971. They were not the top of the line muscle cars, but had spunk. I got a ride in the '69 one day and I was inside the seat of the passenger side when the Mr. Tom floored the pedal...Holy cow! They make these cars fast!? This is when I got into cars in more detail.

Then later on, I was in 7th grade, back in the mid 70's, when I met my friend Zak. His mother was a divorcee and she inherit the ownership of a 1970 MACH 1, the ugliest green that could ever be painted on a car. But it was the coolest car and fastest Mustang I ever got a ride in. And that's when I found out about 'BULLITT' with Steve McQueen, and I had to have a 68 Mustang Fastback. And then the pictures came out with the Shelby Mustangs, The Cobras 260-427s... Oh God, there was no end to what I'm learning here! I kept asking questions, and even more pictures, magazines, books came out of the closet. And then more and more movies were being discovered with Mustangs in 'em.

Back in the early eighties, I finally found my 1968 GT fastback Mustang, an original 390 4spd, highland green monster...Except... It was dark metalic blue, a grenaded 428 motor, a torino 4spd tranny, 4.11 gears, half put together and selling for 2k...Was it worth it, you darn tooten it was. I found a 428 police interceptor motor for 400 bucks, the right trans, and kept the 4.11s. Then I sold it 3 years later for less after afew mishaps.

Then, by the year 2004/5, another friend, co-worker bought a FFR (Sorry Mr. Shelby it's not yours) built his own and I fell in love with d'em cars all over again. One day I was teetering whether to continue my resto/mod on a 1986 Mustang GT or do I build one of my own...I think you folks can figure that one out! He let me drive his car back home from a car show (2 hour drive) and that put me over to get one.

Thank you Mr. Shelby for the legendary historical time you create and the band of drivers and designers and prospector that followed or guided your steps. Thank you for fixing the Mustang into something more special. Thank you for not going with Chevrolet! Thank you for kicking some boote' in LeMans! Thank you for saving AC Cars and putting that 260/289/427/428 into the most popular cars ever built. Thanks for helping me to go FORD and not Chevy! If I went Chevy, my brother and I would never of have any competition to say who was faster! His '68 Camaro or my '68 Mustang! We know who was faster, huh!!?

Thank you for starting this thread!

[Don]

AACA Tribute to Carroll Shelby:

AACA MUSUEM: EVENTS: February 11, 2011 - April 24, 2011
Hershey PA

The exhibition will feature approximately 18 cars representing the manufacturers and body styles that chronicle Shelby’s history as a sports car manufacturer and performance tuner.

http://www.aacamuseum.org/

[skippy]

I remember seeing my first Cobra when i was 8 years old, back in 1975 in Sydney Australia. I was sitting in the back seat whilst my father drove and the Cobra lingered behind us for some time before over taking. It was the most beautiful thing on 4 wheels that i had ever seen, the sound the shape, the pure energy with the curves to crave for. I was bitten straight away and knew one day i would have one.

Just before i was got married in August 2003 i bought my Cobra SPF 1476 from the SPF dealer in Cincinnati, Ohio "Dynamic Performance". I had never sat in a Cobra let alone driven one and bought it off the phone and had her shipped here in Luxembourg. You can only imagine the surprise when i started it for the first time.

I still have that stupid grin today.

Thanks Carroll for being so passionate and believing in your dreams, you have touched many souls.

From this Gass Guzzler, cruise in peace my friend.

Skippy.

[Ron61]

He touched the lives of more people than anyone can imagine. And he made American Racing know world wide with his Daytona Coupes and GT-40s. There will never be another person that will affect a given field like he did the automotive world. And don't forget that though he is known for his Cobras, he had a hand in many other cars including the Dodge Viper. I just wish he could have finished the two 1,000 horsepower Mustangs that he wanted to build. He will be missed by all.

Ron

[skibum2]

The adventure continues.....as it will for all of us... Thank You for the wonderful times, BOTH good and bad... Life, what are ya going to do?...