About 50 years ago, I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. Shelby American had been growing at an astounding rate due to our success with the Cobras. Our race shop was filled with an interesting assortment of super-talented racing types, including a smooth-talking, lanky ex-racer from Texas and a brilliant, self-taught engineer named …
All heroes of history! I was in HS during that period and lusted for a Cobra and a GT350. I watched both race at Laguna Seca from my perch above the exit of the Corkscrew. Finally bought a '67 GT 500 many years later, and then a Series 1 car.
“It’s okay now, Lee, the SCCA has accepted the car, but you’ll have to let me build ’em here in California. When do you want to start?”
The Shelby Mustang is a motorsports icon, and the bedrock of Ford Mustang racing heritage. And it only exists because old Caroll saw an opportunity to make a quick buck as a fixer between Ford and the SCCA. What a story.
Still one of my top five favorite cars.
someone--shelby?--offered me either the prototype or a very early car to drive around sebring. i never cared for the car's looks and the rough ride, etc...i didn't know that was supposed to be a production race car. i just thought nobody would buy something that rides like an oxcart!
Amazing story!
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