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Carroll Shelby (1923–2012)
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Carroll Shelby Photo: Art Evans
Featured Editorials & ContentNewsRacecar ArticlesRacecar News

Carroll Shelby (1923–2012)

 VR Staff

In a world where the value of words is often diminished by over-use and misapplication, there is absolutely no doubt that the word “icon” applies to Carroll Shelby, who passed away on May 10. The charismatic Texan may be known primarily as the chicken farmer who created the Cobra, but he was originally a first-rank racing driver in his own right, being named Sports Illustrated’s Driver of the Year in 1956 and ’57, finishing 4th in a Maserati 250F shared with Masten Gregory at the 1958 Italian Grand Prix, teaming with Roy Salvadori to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Aston Martin in 1959 and claiming USAC’s Road Racing National Championship the following year.

Forced to give up driving by heart troubles, Shelby created the Cobra in 1962 by mating Ford’s new small-block V8 engine to an English AC chassis, then developed it into a World Manufacturers Championship winner by ’65. Taking over Ford’s underachieving Le Mans program, he produced victories in ’66 and ’67, the latter a spectacular all-American celebration. His Ford team also won the 24 Hours of Daytona in ’65 and ’66, and the 12 Hours of Sebring in ’66 and ’67. He was a founding partner of Dan Gurney’s All American Racers, and his Shelby American team won the Trans-Am championship for Ford in ’66 and ’67 as well. He also served as Goodyear’s racing tire distributor for the Western U.S.

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VR Staff
Steve Natale has been playing with cars ever since he was old enough to first hold a matchbox car in his hand. A lifelong enthusiast of anything old with an engine in it or wheels on it, Steve has been active in the hobby for over 35 years. Currently he owns a successful marketing company with his wife Mary, is an automotive photographer, blogger and writer for several automotive magazines and regular contributor to various automotive websites. Steve has attended vintage car events and visited car museums and collections around the world.
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