Carroll Shelby was a poor chicken farmer from Leesburg, Texas before beginning his award winning career as a race car driver during the 1950's. He was only the second American to win the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1959 in an Aston Martin. Sports Illustrated named him “Driver of the Year,” twice.
The first Cobra, capable of zero-to-60 in just under four seconds, was built in 1962 in his newly opened California company, Shelby-American with $25,000 from Ford. Shelby’s Cobras and Daytona Coupes were highly successful on the U.S. racing circuit.
Back in Detroit, Henry Ford II had decided, that since Enzo Ferrari had backed out of a deal at the last minute, that would have allowed Ford to buy the Ferrari company, Henry was going to beat them on the race track. No matter what!
After the Ford entries dropped out of the 1965 race at Le Mans, Henry called on Shelby to make sure “Ford Wins Le Mans in 1966.” Carroll's job was on the line.
In June of 1966, a trio of Ford GT-40 Mark IIs crossed the finish line first, second and third at Le Mans as thousands watched. Ferrari's domination of the race was over.
Shelby said, “I’m flying home on Monday, and I’m going to go hide for a while where no Ford man or no Frenchman can find me,”.
Lee Iacocca, called on Shelby to create the GT350 performance versions of the Mustang Cobra, the hottest street machines available. Bullitt, the Steve McQueen movie that featured the faster than fastback, has been used by Ford for special edition Mustangs with the Bullitt branding.
After lending his name to Chrysler, again for Iacocca, for a few sport versions of their product line, Shelby's company has created the Series I, built by hand like in the old days.
At a recent Detroit Auto Show, Ford and Shelby have teamed up once again for an updated version of the classic Cobra. The concept car is modern and austere at the same time, a V-10 engine in a sleek two seater, devoid of side windows, a roof or even a radio.
The legend with a Texas heritage is reborn.
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