If you are a huge fan of AC Shelby Cobra, Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and some other great muscle cars, you have got to know the gentleman behind these cars, Carroll Shelby. The legendary car designer and world-champion racing driver died on Thursday at the age of 89. Shelby’s spirit and the cars he built will be will be with us forever.
Carroll Shelby is a winner at 24 Hours of Le Mansin 1959. He was driving for Aston Martin during that time and teamed with Roy Salvadori. From Le Mans driver to Formula One driver, Shelby has participated in a total of eight World Championship races and several non-championship races. He was awarded driver of the year in 1956 and 1957 by Sports Illustrated.
Carroll Shelby stand in between two Shelby Cobra
Other than championship races, the legendary car builder is well-known for his lifelong dedication to a few great cars he built, namely the Shelby Cobra 427 that used to beat Ferrari in Europe and the tuned Ford Mustang. Now you know the reason why there are so many cars bored with “Shelby” name.
Shelby was born in 1923 in Leesburg, Texas, he was a son of the rural mail carrier. At the age of 7, Shelby suffered heart valve leakage problems and he has been fighting with his health problems. After his health improved, he fell in love with cars and that decided his life journey.
Carroll Shelby pose with three AC Cobras
How many people actually know that the man who built the powerful and cool muscle car is sweet? Shelby used to write letters, put them into flying boots and drop them on his fiancée’s farm during World War II when he served as a flight instructor and test pilot. What today’s lovers do? Email, WhatsApp, LINE, and Facebook.
1950s is the most colorful decade for Shelby to be a racer. He then retired from driving in Octorber 1959 due to health reasons and shifted his passion to build race cars. Shelby obtained a license and imported the AC Cobra from England to America and he replaced the original Bristol engine with Ford’s V8 engine, later known as Shelby Cobra. The Shelby Cobra eventually won the international Grand Touring championships in 1965. Shelby continued to be the key person to help Ford to develop several hot cars including the Daytona Coupe, GT350, GT500, and the GT40 that beats Ferrari at LeMans.
One thing we love this fascinating man so much is his philosophy in making great cars. When he was asked what was the best car he ever built, his answer is always “The next one.” Now we know the next one is not going to come. Goodbye Carroll Shelby, we will be missing you.
Carroll Shelby and Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept, RIP.
