The Man who keeps track of Shelby-American employees
 

The other day I visited a fella who I can say lives and breathes the history of Shelby-American. Here's an interview, and for those of you who are just as interested in the people who made Shelby history as the cars, he's got a CD with interviews that might be of interest.--WW


INTERVIEW WITH A COBRA MAVEN




It's nice to be a car fan but it's quite another to turn your fandom into
active historical research. Bob Shaw,, age 65, of Fountain Valley, CA has
done just that. He spent his career in the medical diagnostics field. But his
passion for over 17 years has been the Cobra. In recent years he has become
known for gathering the names in a registry and putting together reunions of
the former employees of Shelby -American. We asked him why he does what he does and here are his answers.

Q. When did you discover the Cobra?

Shaw: My work colleague was restoring a 298 in the early 90s. Up 'til then I
didn't know what a
Cobra was, because all I saw was bits and pieces he borught to work but then
one day he invited me over to look at the car and I said "Holy cow" and was
an instant fan.,

Q. How soon after that did you get one?

Shaw: It was around 1992. I bought a Unique replica FIA 289.

Q. Why did you choose that one?

Shaw: Because it was the most realistic rendition of the historic small
block race car, and I
didn't want to run a humongous big block Cobra.

Q. How many miles did you drive it?

Shaw: I drove it for about 5500 track miles. Then I began threatening
to sell it and someone spoke up when I said that and--boom--it was gone. I
figure I lived on the edge so long, driving it to the limit and so forth so
it was about time.

Q. How did you get involved with reuniting the old employees?

Shaw: I was selling car posters at Long Beach Vets Stadium and one day
along comes a guy who says "I used to work for Shelby". While he was
jawboning,
few minutes later along comes another guy who says the same thing and I had
a fascinating time listening to their recollections. I figured 'Hey, it's
about time someone got all these old guys together."

Q. Does it matter if they are racing mechanics, race drivers, office workers
or production line workers?

Shaw: No. Oh, originally there was some grousing about who was from where in
the
company but now--after all these years--they are just glad to get together
and
talk about their experiences and what an unusual place it was to work.
Shelby-American was a team of many disciplines coming together to win races
and championships, nationally and internationally.

Q. What were some of the products you developed?

Shaw: I still make static cling meatballs (roundels), race numbers
and a number of other decals and such under a firm called Operations
Plus, which used to be my consulting company.

Q. What do you think is your biggest achievement in getting the old hands
together?

Shaw: Getting them out to a track where a newer (and current) generation is
running some
of the cars they built. It great to see them show up with big smiles.

Q. Do you get any help from Shelby?

Shaw: Yes, he looks forward the reunions. In fact, he sponsored the first
one and gives to the 'Donkey Fund' which was established to assist the
employees and to put on the reunions.

Q. What's your latest project?

Shaw: At the last get-together hosted by Willow Springs and the Cobra Owners
Club of America, I produced a DVD getting over twenty interviews...things
you don't find in books; and have also started a web site centered on these
Legends at legendconnection.org. You can go the site and pick up some unique
books, memoribilea and of course the 9th Annual Shelby American Reunion
DVD...... and keep in touch with what's going on and indeed add something!

Q. What's your long range goal?

Shaw: Just to get together more of the old legends together and hear more
great
stories. The cars are one thing but I find the people more
interesting. Also, I want to keep the new generation informed on what these
ole race cars and those who sheparded them were all about.


Q. If a reader of this interview knows a former Shelby employee, how can
they get in touch with you to get invited to the next reunion?

Shaw: Just contact me at operationsplus@excite.com or 714-962-2776.

Thank you, Bob
Interview in 2007 by W.A.Wyss, author SHELBY The Man The Cars The Legend