The Official Shelby American Magazine | Issue 2

Page 1

Issue

2

2019


1 Whatney, Irvine CA. 92618 • 1-888-743-5298

2

www.superformance.com • www.shelbylegendarycars.com


CONTENTS Issue

2

2019

06 | shelby today

12 | Shelby in the Spotlight

32 |Truck Yeah

42 | Ken Miles 06 Shelby American Today

32 Truck Yeah

58 A Matter of Record

12 Shelby in the Spotlight

38 Legacy Texas Car Show

64 Club Connect

18 Team Players

40 SIXT Rent-A-Car

67 Film Icons

22 By Design

48 Ken Miles

71 On The Block

26 Eureka Springs

56 Four Twenty Seven

73 The Legend Continues

3


The Shelby Magazine is a digital publication of Shelby American in collaboration with Shelby Licensing, Carroll Shelby’s Store, The Carroll Shelby Foundation, Shelby Performance Parts and Team Shelby.

Publisher Shelby American Editorial Director Scott Black Layout and Design TimePiece PR & Marketing

Contributors and Editors

Shelby American 6405 Ensworth St. Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-942-7325 www.Shelby.com Advertising Opportunities SBlack@TPRM.com Cover Photo Ford vs Ferrari Movie Poster | Edit by Blake Williams

Scott Black Blake Williams Dave Boldt Leslie Brinson Aaron Cook Art Evans Evan Smith Dorothy Reynolds Austin Maness Steve Statham Austin Craig Michael Carnes Brandi Kozlovsky Dave Friedman Michael L.Shoen Bruce Dowell Austin Spencer John M. Clor Roger Johnson

4

The Shelby Magazine is a specialty digital publication by Shelby American. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any text, photographs or illustrations in any shape or form without written permission from Shelby is strictly prohibited.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


REGISTER TO BID | JANUARY 11-19 | SCOTTSDALE | 480.663.6226 PHONE & INTERNET BIDDING OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

NO RESERVE LOT #1348 - 1967 SHELBY GT500 Finished in its original color of Candy Apple Red, this 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback is powered by a 428ci engine equipped with an automatic transmission and factory air conditioning. Full rotisserie restoration.

READ MORE | WATCH VIDEO | VEHICLE DETAILS

Experience the Barrett-Jackson Auctions live exclusively on Discovery Channel, MotorTrend and around the world on Discovery Networks International.

ALL THE CARS, ALL THE TIME. Streamed live on Barrett-Jackson.com

FOR THE COMPLETE DOCKET AND BIDDER REGISTRATION, VISIT BARRETT-JACKSON.COM Consign. Bid. Experience. Barrett-Jackson.com

5


Shelby american today

SERVING UP HIGH PERFORMANCE SHELBY STYLE Words by Evan J. Smith The Shelby name is steeped in winning tradition. A sliver of its rich history is memorialized in the blockbuster film “Ford v Ferrari� on the cover of this issue. Over 50 years after it was founded by Carroll Shelby, Shelby American is still comprised of passionate and experienced designers and craftsmen dedicated to fulfilling automotive dreams. They have their foot firmly on the floor to create vehicles, parts and gear featuring the hottest in design, performance and fun.

6

TABLE OF CONTENTS


“We consistently focus on what we like to call the four ‘Ps’ of success,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “That’s people, pride, performance and products. We’re never content to sit back and revel in past accomplishments. We put in maximum effort every day, whether it’s designing a front fascia, doing track testing, creating new gear or working with Ford Motor Company on future products.” Building a Better Shelby The Shelby team works with key suppliers on design and engineering long before any component goes onto a car or truck. “We’re always researching new technology and processes to develop innovative products that work within a vehicle’s systems,” explained Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and Chief of R&D. “We want to reduce weight, add power, improve handling and even integrate new visual cues to make the vehicles stand apart. Enthusiasts should be able to say ‘wow… it’s a Shelby’ when they see it.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

7


The relationship with Ford Motor Company is especially important to Shelby today. “We are working very closely with Ford Motor Company on many key levels,” stated Aaron Shelby, a member of the Carroll Shelby International Board, “It’s because we can often accomplish things Ford would like to do but can’t within their timeline. That means we can collaborate on projects and technologies that are not just leading edge, but often they could be considered bleeding edge.” This directly impacts the vehicles and parts coming out of Shelby today. “When we evaluate a vehicle program, we begin by leveraging Ford’s data from their wind tunnel and engine development testing,” stated LaViolette. “When we’re adding a couple hundred horsepower, like in the case of the Shelby Super Snake, we must ensure a positive experience in both final output, drivability and durability. This means also improving the cooling system, tuning the vehicle for streetability and improving the suspension and brakes, too. Doing all these things is critical.” In addition to offering a wide range of car and trucks, Shelby American has a fantastic line of performance parts. This gives customers worldwide the opportunity to add “Shelby” flair and power to any base 2005 and newer Mustang, Mustang GT, GT350 or GT500, as well as F-150 or Raptor trucks. “The aftermarket is always hot and there are so many Ford owners who look to us for countless Shelby components to increase power, handling, braking, and looks,” noted Dean Barberio, who oversees the Shelby Performance Parts Division. “We have an extensive catalog of parts and accessories and if you get them from us, it will be proven equipment that’s been tested on and off the track.”

8

TABLE OF CONTENTS


While Shelby is best known for its line of high-performance cars, trucks are increasingly a key part of its business. “For trucks, we offer lights, bumpers, wheels, suspension, skid plates for off-road, and we’re pretty good at increasing horsepower, too,” said LaViolette. “If you’re going to run your truck hard in sand, over tough trails, or in the desert, you find out quickly that it’s hard on the transmission, and engine gets really hot. You need extra cooling capacity to improve efficiency, which is why we offer a proven cooling system kit that will ensure your vehicle maintains proper operating temperature in sand, going uphill, and in extreme heat. We offer these upgrades for both the Raptor and F-150.” One of the biggest topics around Shelby headquarters is the 2020 Shelby GT500 that is now being released. Patterson, like all enthusiasts, is excited about the next-generation Shelby and he’s ready give customers something special. “We are well into an extensive development for the next generation Shelby GT500 for 2020,” explained Patterson. “There’s a massive focus on this version of the fabulous Ford Mustang. You can expect a power upgrade, which will be complimented with more grip and bigger brakes from Shelby. While I really can’t discuss the details because it’s still in the works, rest assured it will be thrilling. In the meantime, Shelby has great options like the Shelby GT available at select Ford dealers. It features aerodynamic upgrades such as a unique hood, grille, fascia, side rockers and diffuser. It has custom wheels and the naturally aspirated package churns out 480 horsepower. An incredible 700 horsepower is available with the optional supercharger. Every Shelby GT comes with a unique serial number, backlit rocker sill plates, head rests, and floor mats. There’s also optional custom seat upholstery, gauge clusters, engine cap kit, rear-seat delete, short-throw shifter, car cover, and pretty much everything to deck out your Shelby Mustang. And you’ll be glad to know Shelby GT is available with the popular 10-speed automatic or manual transmission, and in a coupe or convertible body style. Shelby Vegas No Las Vegas trip is complete without a stop at Shelby American Headquarters, located just minutes off the strip and about 10 minutes from McCarran International Airport. Everyone is invited to stop by and enjoy a unique experience at Shelby American headquarters. Shelby offers free guided tours of the roughly 30 amazing vehicles housed in the Shelby Heritage

TABLE OF CONTENTS

9


Center, plus Carroll Shelby’s Store is stocked with the latest gear. During regular shop hours, it is possible to have a fantastic view of Shelby Mustangs, Cobras and trucks going through the transformation process. The doors are open 7 days a week and give enthusiasts a true behind-the-scenes look into everything Shelby. Tours are given Monday-Friday at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, and Saturday at 10:30 only. The Heritage Center is also open on Sunday, but there are no guided tours. Store hours are 9:30-6:00 Monday-Saturday and Sunday 10-4. The original 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake is currently featured in the Shelby Heritage Center. “This is the actual car Carroll Shelby and Goodyear Tire used for testing and it features a 427 FE engine and is a true piece of history,” explained Shelby historian Austin Craig. “Others must-see vehicles include the 2007 Super Snake used for engineering and magazine testing, as well as many successive generations of Shelby Super Snake Mustangs. There’s a beautiful recreation of Carroll’s ’65 Super Snake Cobra that’s packing a 427, cross ram intake and two Paxton superchargers. Plus, we have a rare Don Prudhomme edition Super Snake, a Shelby Series 1, several anniversary continuation Cobras, a Ford GT40 continuation car and a polished aluminum Daytona Coupe.”

10

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Shelby On the Road Of course, not everyone can make it to Vegas, which is why Shelby regularly attends events across the globe. Most of these are in conjunction with Team Shelby, the official club of the Shelby community. “Shelby America is planning to be part of Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale Auction in January and then really gear up, beginning with the 7th Annual Shelby Tribute Car Show during May 2020 in Gardena, California,” noted Tracey Smith, International Director of Team Shelby. “We will next join the Team Shelby All-Ford Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, at the end of May. The Shelby team will be in Texas at the Legacy Bank show in Plano on June 8 and then roll into the Mid America Ford Shelby Nationals in Tulsa over Father’s Day weekend. At the end of June, Gary will attend the Northern Star National Mustang Show on June 28-30 in Bloomington, Minnesota. And that is just the beginning of the season! This will be an amazing year for Shelby and the community.” The best way to keep up with Shelby American and Team Shelby is at Shelby.com, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

11


Shelby in the Spotlight Words By Scott Black

Enthusiasts have always known that Carroll Shelby was a star. And now Hollywood has finally “discovered” this incredible individual, as well as the accomplishments of the race team and company he built. This year, Carroll Shelby hit the big screen in the blockbuster film “Ford v Ferrari” (or “Le Mans 66” in some locations), as well as being featured in a full-length documentary entitled “Shelby American – the Carroll Shelby Story.” “Everyone who met Carroll Shelby knew his story should be featured on the big screen,” said Tracey Smith, International Director of Team Shelby. “With his racing successes, globe-trotting adventures, cool cars and rock star persona, he led an incredible life. It’s wonderful these two films show the world why Carroll and the Shelby legacy are so special.” Ford v Ferrari Academy Award-winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in “Ford v Ferrari.” It is based on the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Bale). Together, they battled corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966. Directed by James Mangold, the film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30 and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2019. It was released in the United States on November 15 by 20th Century Fox in 2D, IMAX, and Dolby Cinema formats. Shelby fans are very familiar with the storyline, as it picks up when a cash-strapped Enzo Ferrari walks out of a deal to sell his company to Ford Motor Company. While doing so, he personally insults Henry Ford II, who orders his racing division to build a car to defeat Ferrari at Le Mans. For this task, Iacocca hires Shelby American owner Carroll Shelby, a racing driver who won Le Mans in 1959, but was forced to retire due to his heart condition. Shelby enlists British racer and mechanic Ken Miles to head up the project.

12

TABLE OF CONTENTS


TABLE OF CONTENTS

13


“Matt Damon did a very nice job portraying my grandfather and Christian Bale was amazing as Ken Miles,” noted Aaron Shelby, member of the Carroll Shelby International board. “But I was particularly impressed by the racing scenes. They were so realistic and well shot. The movie did not rely on digitally enhanced ‘cartoon cars’ for the thrilling track battles. It has a gritty authenticity that is appealing.” Shot primarily at Willow Springs and in Georgia, the pivotal Le Mans sequence included the fabled Mulsanne Straight, an impressive stretch where cars can hit over 200 mph. Because the Ford GT40’s were so fast in the 1960s, the rural track was actually altered by the race organizers. So movie production designer François Audouy found a country road outside of Atlanta that could double for the long Mulsanne. This gave the racing scenes a great deal of gravitas. One of the other key elements that made the film so realistic was the use of cars from Shelby Legendary Cars/Superformance. Lance Stander and his team in Irvine, California, provided most of the small block and big block Cobras, Daytona Coupes and the famous GT40’s seen in the film. Stander holds the license from Shelby to offer recreations of the classic models from the ‘60s.

14


“These are truly period correct cars,” explained Stander, CEO of Shelby Legendary Cars and Superformance. “While they may not have modern comforts, the Cobras and GT40s deliver an exhilarating, authentic drive that just can’t be duplicated. Now anyone can watch the movie and then live it every day with one of our cars.” The cars supplied by Stander were so realistic and charismatic that Aaron Shelby and his brother Randall each purchased a Shelby Cobra driven in the film. “My car ‘played’ CSX2000, the first Shelby Cobra and it was driven in the film extensively by Matt Damon,” explained Aaron Shelby. “Randall bought the Shelby Cobra roadster raced in the early portion of the film by Christian Bale, as Ken Miles. These two cars were particularly important to the family as they really connect us to the film.” Between the top notch acting, videography, directing, locales and cars, the film is spectacular. When the film was first introduced, the Shelby family and many Shelby luminaries were part of the red carpet premiere in Hollywood. Team Shelby had a private screening for guests in Las Vegas during the SEMA show and chapters held their own viewing events worldwide. “Like almost any Hollywood movie based on a true story, Ford v Ferrari takes a bit of dramatic license, but it’s not intended to be a perfect historical record of events,” added Ms. Smith. “Even so, the spirit of the triumph by Shelby American and Ford at Le Mans should be relished by everyone in the community. We are proud that this amazing story has been told via the silver screen.” The blockbuster is expected to be in theaters through January and expected to contend for several Academy Awards. Digital downloads and DVD’s are expected to be available in March 2020.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

15


The Carroll Shelby Story The flip side of the Hollywood movie is the film “Shelby American - the Carroll Shelby Story.” Created by Adam Carolla and Nate Adams of Chassy Media with producers Aaron, Randall and Shawn Shelby, the film is a serious documentary really that sticks to the facts. “Carroll Shelby is truly a character for the ages,” commented Adams. “His enigmatic Southern charm, hustle and ability to sell himself produced a racing driver and manufacturer that will never be equaled in any time period, past, present or future.” The documentary tells the story of automotive icon, Carroll Shelby, who started out from humble beginnings as a chicken farmer in East Texas and went on to become one of the winningest drivers in the history of motorsports and the only American to win the World Manufacturer’s Championship. A tragic heart condition sidelined his racing career in 1960 and Shelby reinvented himself as a manufacturer, creating the Shelby Cobra which immediately dominated American sports car racing.

16


Shelby’s real goal was always to win internationally and beat rival Enzo Ferrari, whom he personally despised. With his revolutionary Shelby Daytona Coupe, Shelby became the first American manufacturer to beat Ferrari in the GT class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the biggest race in the world. As recounted in the film “Ford v Ferrari,”, Henry Ford II hired Carroll Shelby to run Ford’s GT40 prototype program when they were trying to beat Ferrari at Le Mans in the top class. This war of speed became the most storied battle in automotive history. The documentary though is much more encompassing than just the 1960s. It covers the majority of the icon’s life. The brilliance of the documentary is that much of it is narrated by Carroll Shelby himself. The production team was able to piece together various interviews to make the art almost autobiographical. In addition, it includes many never before seen photos and video footages, as well countless interviews with those who knew him best. According to Carolla, “Shelby was an amazing guy. The Cobras and the GT40 are cars that will go down in history as the most iconic in racing. He really knew how to put the right people together to win championships. He was an amazing driver and team owner. His guys were the ones winning the major races and Le Mans. He knew how to deliver and he did it repeatedly throughout history. Carroll Shelby is a name that everyone should know.” Shelby American: The Carroll Shelby Story is showing on Netflix for a limited time. Enthusiasts can also purchase a digital download or DVD from Chassy media at https://chassy.com/shop/shelby-american/. Shelby in the Spotlight “The spotlight is shining bright on Shelby, including the two new films, a commercial that we created to run in select theaters before ‘Ford v Ferrari’ and an entirely new website that was launched at the same time as the movies,” declared Ms. Smith. “There’s never been a better time to be part of the Shelby community.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

17


Team Players PARTS GODDESS Words by Steve Statham Shannon Wolk, Washington State Team Shelby Director, knows her Mustang parts, as well as her way around a racetrack Some people figure out their automotive allegiances at an early age and never look back. For Shannon Wolk, Washington State Team Shelby director, Ford’s Mustang is the only car that ever mattered. “My dad started a local Mustang store up here, so when I was a little kid, I’d go to swap meets with him and help him sell parts at swap meets,” she said. 18

TABLE OF CONTENTS


“And then when I got old enough, to earn extra money for my first car—which was of course a Mustang—I worked at the store. And now I work at a Ford dealership doing the same things I learned at the store,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve known pretty much what I wanted to do since I was 17.” Wolk is no passive bystander when it comes to appreciating Mustangs. She’s been a member of Mustangs Northwest practically since the beginning, most recently serving as track director in charge of track days. “Our club’s been around for 40 years as of March,” she said. “As of April ’79, my dad joined the club. So I’ve been doing club activities since I was 13 years old.” Shannon’s garage currently contains three Mustangs. The oldest is a 1966 GT, a car in need of restoration that may have moved on to a new owner by the time you read this. She bought it from her dad and has had it for 25 years, but admits her enthusiasm for a ground-up resto project had dimmed in recent years.

a shaker hood, and louvers, among other upgrades. “It’s my baby, I love that car,” she said. “I show it at shows, and then on track weekends I throw slicks, a Sparco seat, and a five-point in it, and I take it out to the track. I’ve redone all the suspension so that it’s all ready to go. It’s got Bilsteins, Shelby lower control arms, camber-caster adjusters, adjustable panhard bar, the whole shebang. It’s awesome.”

Among her Mustang peers, she’s probably best known for her 2008 Mustang GT. She bought the Dark Candy Apple Red car new, and has customized it with gold Hertz stripes,

Of all the fun to be had with a Mustang, Shannon likes buckling in for hot laps on a road course the best. “Back in the

TABLE OF CONTENTS

19


’90s, my husband and I used to road race a 1967 Terlingua tribute car. I’ve always been into Mustangs, but that kind of got me started with the road racing thing.” She’ll be even more ready to navigate the off-camber turns and apexes in 2019, since she just purchased a Mustang FR500S. “I just bought the 2010 Mustang Challenge championship car, serial number 0001. Now I don’t have to take my street car out to thrash on the track. Now I have a real race car. I am so excited,” she said. Shannon says she runs at 10 or 12 tracks up and down the west coast. Her favorite is the Utah Motorsports Campus. Pacific Raceways is her local track, and she also has praise for The Ridge Motorsports Park. “I try to get my butt in a race car whenever I can.” It was at one of these track days that she ended up on a race team with Brian Bogdon, head honcho of the Team Shelby Pacific Northwest Region. He recruited her to be the Washington State Team Shelby Director. Shannon’s time in Team Shelby may have been brief, but she’s dived in with both feet. “My husband (Kai) and I went to the Bash this year, for our first one,” she said. “It was awesome.” Not surprisingly, track day was her favorite part. As for her “Parts Goddess” reputation, that’s well-earned too. At the Ford dealer where she’s employed, she works the wholesale counter, selling parts to body shops and garages. “Because I’ve been doing parts for so long, and I have somewhat of a photographic memory, you can ask me a part number for some old-ass thing I haven’t looked up in 20 years, and I can tell you the part number. That’s me in a nutshell.” Team Shelby members are free to take her up on that challenge, but they’ll have to catch her on the race track first.

20

TABLE OF CONTENTS


WIN THIS 2019 427 COBRA

2019 Superformance MkIII S/C • Engine: Roush 427 SR with 510 horsepower • Transmission: Tremec TKO-600 • Original Style 15” Halibrand Wheels and 3 ear knock-off spinners • Indigo Blue with Wimbledon White LeMans Stripes • Car Completed by Cobra Performance Inc

ENTER TODAY! winacobra.org

• Letter of FORD v FERRARI movie Authenticity Included

AMERICA’S PLACE FOR COBRA & MUSTANG FANS

Get 20% more entry tickets

With promo code: SHELBYEZINE expires 1/31/20

Name____________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________

Card Number _____________________________________ Exp. Date _____________Security Code ______________ Signature ________________________________________ { I am 18 yrs or older and agree to Drawing Rules. Mail to: 777 Arnold Drive, Suite 200, Martinez, CA 94553 Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary to enter drawing. Promo Code SHELBYEZINE, expires 1/31/20.

used in the filming of FORD v FERRARI

{ $25 for 3 tickets

{ $500 for 85 Tickets

{ $50 for 7 Tickets

{ $1,000 for 200 Tickets

{ $100 for 15 Tickets

{ $1,500 for 310 Tickets

{ $250 for 40 Tickets

{ $2,500 for 525 Tickets

Enter online at winacobra.org or call 925-558-5585 with your credit card or mail in this coupon with your check.


By Design VINCE LAVIOLETTE WRITES THE DESIGN LANGUAGE AT SHELBY AMERICAN Words by Steve Statham What makes a Shelby Mustang a Shelby Mustang? We could easily write a book on the subject, but the quick answer would be the dedication of the skilled technicians and crew of Shelby American, following the vision laid out by the company’s founder. It all starts there. In addition, Shelby American has several partnerships with well-established aftermarket suppliers, but that has led some people to the mistaken impression that Shelby just bolts on other peoples’ parts when building its vehicles. Not even close. A substantial amount of the products that make Shelby vehicles unique are designed in-house. And the point of the design spear at Shelby American is Vice President of Operations Vince LaViolette. Vince came to Shelby American after a life spent accumulating the hands-on experience necessary for all facets of car building. Not long after high school, he started working at a friend’s custom shop, the kind of place that built a lot of movie cars and hot rods. “I started doing some of the bodywork, doing the foam work, doing some of the design stuff on it, and it was really easy for me. It was just one of those things that just kind of fit.” He later started working at auto dealerships, learning the ins-and-outs of frame work, paint and body, electrical, and management. In 1983, the owner of the dealership where he was employed asked him to work on his Winston West race car, and he even gave Vince a car to race, which provided valuable experience sorting out racing suspensions and aerodynamics. He later moved to Idaho and opened his own restoration shop. He continued racing, honing his skills. In late 2000, a friend in Las Vegas proposed Vince move down and open a shop with him. It sounded intriguing, but Vince still needed a paycheck while all that got put together, so his friend grabbed him an application for “this Shelby place.” Vince quickly realized it was the Carroll Shelby’s place, so he carefully laid out all his fabricating, racing, and car building experience. “They called me like the next day,” he recalled with a laugh. LaViolette’s first job at Shelby was finding more horsepower for the 427 Cobras being built at the time. He fabricated a mounting system for a Vortech supercharger, keeping it all concealed with no obvious clues as to what 22

TABLE OF CONTENTS


was underhood. “When I was done, I got the 427 to make 750 horsepower at about 3800 rpm, doing about 750 footpounds of torque. It was a monster for a little Cobra car,” he said. “I had Carroll take it for a ride around the shop and he came back with this big old grin and said, ‘okay son, now we’re going to start working.’” And work he has, on a long string of projects, often working closely with Carroll Shelby to get the design just right. LaViolette has a studio area where he can do clay and foam prototype work, with a small machine shop with lathes and mills, a welding area, and two lifts. But the studio is only part of the story. Whether it’s new suspension parts for the Widebody or a new hood for the Super Snake, a healthy dose of on-track testing goes into the Shelby design process. “Gary (Patterson) and I, between the two of us, we probably do about 5000 miles a year of testing these cars.” We chatted with Vince to get some insight into his design philosophy, and what makes Shelby vehicles so unique. Describe your design process. How is your approach different from other automakers? “I’ve got a little studio that I use, and when I build cars, I like to build off of what I call shadow. I’ll put the lights off for half the building, and I’m able to move my lights back and forth across, and put the lights way over to the side, and I’ll shoot a shadowcast on the side of the car. That way, you get the lines really nice, they tend to cascade better. EveryTABLE OF CONTENTS

23


thing just looks nicer and cleaner when you do it under shadow. You get all the lines to look ‘right.’ The reason I do that is because outside, in the sun, there’s only one point of light basically. What you want to do is you want to be able to make the car look good outside. What a lot of guys do, they’ll go ahead and build a car in the shop under fluorescent lights, and they’ll bring the car outside and the car just is missing something. It’s a little dull, a little round, and it just doesn’t have the sharp points. It doesn’t have the look of a factory car. And that’s why, because they have light coming from all around, and it’s really hard to see that. It’s very important. Every time I build something, I like to do it under shadow.” What design challenges do you encounter that are unique to Shelby? “We have everything here from young people to some pretty good seniors. When you’re designing these cars, you have to think of heritage, you have to think of history, you have to think of the younger kids that are coming in. You have to do something that appeals to the younger kids. Yet I have to do something that appeals, and has design cues, that are tied to the people that have been in the industry, or the people that know Shelby, and know Mustangs. So I have to make sure I always have that in there.” Can you name an example of that? “Things like on the GT350 (20112014), notice the front of the 350, I did the little scallops on the side of the grilles. A lot of little things that you see, the way the grille is designed, with the ring around it and a little clip in the bottom, those are things that really tie into the early cars, but yet look good on a modern car. On the back of the car I did things like, I didn’t like the light bar for the taillights on the back of the 350. So I went ahead and made covers that went over the taillights. It flattened out the back of the car a little bit, because I didn’t like the way it sucked in so hard. It was a new design, so people weren’t really used to it yet, so I wanted to put a little bit of ‘old’ back into the car. Then, since I covered up the reverse lights on the car, I went ahead and used 1967 Mustang reverse lights down at the bottom, then made little pockets so they tied in. When you look at the back of the car, you don’t know why you like it, but you like it, because it looks like an older car. It’s little things like that you try to put in the car to make the older guys recognize what it is. The younger guys wouldn’t notice what it was, yet the design looks clean to them.”

24

TABLE OF CONTENTS


How did Carroll Shelby influence your design philosophy? “I used to work with Carroll a lot. I got to work side-by-side with him for 10 years. He’d come over to the shop, he’d come to the design studio, and he’d say, ‘You know, I like what you do, I love what you do with my cars.’ He’d say, ‘Do me a favor. Never ever put a scoop, put a wing, put a hole, or anything on my car that isn’t 100 percent effective.’ I think of that every time I work on the car. It has to be efficient, it has to have a reason.” How do your designs reflect that functionality? “I wanted to redesign the hood. I started doing the design in ’17 with the double snouted hood on the Super Snake. I kind of went away from the big open hood like I normally did. The reason I did that is I wanted to get the air put on the supercharger instead of just getting air into the engine compartment. I needed to cool it off. Now that we use a Whipple supercharger, they had inverted the supercharger, to where they have the intercoolers on the top, and the supercharger sitting down in the valley of the motor, which is really nice and helps evacuate the heat a lot better. And I wanted to make that even better. So I have two scoops in the

front and they blow right on top of the blower, and then it evacuates right off the back of the blower, with two exit ports on the back. I took that to the track and started doing some testing, and I was very excited—I eliminated pretty much all the underhood temperatures. At the track, at speed, I had it down to about eight degrees above ambient air temperature outside. I was excited when I did the hood in ’17, I was able to pull about 100 degrees out with that hood. Then this year, by doing the in-and-out, I was able to get all that heat out of there.” Do you have new Shelby design projects in the works that might surprise people? “We’re doing tires too. We have a tire company called API that we’re working with right now. We’re trying to develop a tire that lasts a little bit longer, that’s a little less expensive. We’re also coming out with a really nice track tire. It’s going to last a little bit longer and it’ll be comparable to everything that’s out there. We’re at a point where we’ve got these cars working so well, they’re actual track cars now for the street. But when these guys go out and take their cars out, it’s very expensive to go through tires. So what we’re trying to do is find a niche where we want to give you like and kind. So I have street tires that’ll last a little bit longer that’ll look good on the track, you can get good performance out of, with a really nice tread design. We worked on a couple different tread designs and now we’ve got it all down. We’re coming out with multiple sizes for all cars, they actually say Shelby on them.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

25


Eureka Springs Mustang Days Words By Dorothy Reynolds and Austin Maness Pictures by Michael Carnes

The Eureka Springs Mustang days is a thirty plus year event that hosts Ford powered vehicles from all over the country. In recent years the event has been hosted by the Midwest Blue Oval club and has grown from a single day car show to multi-day driving adventure. While the Saturday car show at Pine Mountain Village draws the largest number of participants, more and more are arriving to town a couple days early to take part in driving events such as the “Fuel Mileage Run”, the “Decision-Confirmation Course”, and the “Road Rally”. These driving events exposed participants to some breathtaking scenery of northern Arkansas and the Ozark Mountains. After the sold out car show on Saturday, many participants took part in a parade through downtown Eureka Springs. A banquet style dinner was held at Castle Rogue’s Manor in neighboring Beaver, AR. Key note speaker and world champion racer Allen Grant mesmerized the crowd with pictures and stories from the golden years of the Carroll Shelby legacy and what racing was like during the 1960s. Guests dined on a delicious meal, seated around a 1 of 11, 1966 supercharged Shelby GT350. 26

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Nino On the final day, participants were led on a country cruise that included a winery tour, a trek through an exotic animal preserve, and lunch at local fire station. The event continues to grow in size and complexity every year, potentially transitioning from Mustang “Days” to Mustang “Week”. Administrators from the Mustang Club of America (MCA) were in attendance and were discussing the possibility of this popular event becoming an MCA National in the future. One of the best benefits of the event is meeting new people and hearing about their stories and the stories of their cars. Fascinating accounts from all the different owners continue to make this best Ford and Mustang event in the region. Here is one such story..... Nino was born with Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome. In spite of the physical handicap, Nino is very bright, absorbing information like a little human supercomputer, particularly when it comes to cars! TABLE OF CONTENTS

27


Since he was a toddler, Nino has been fascinated with cars, especially his grandfather’s Calypso Coral 1970 Mach I. His parents knew that, barring any miracle medical advancement, Nino would never own or drive his own car. So, on Nino’s 7th birthday, his grandfather gave him a birthday card that included the title to beautiful this beautiful car! Nino now owned a Mach I that he lovingly referred to as “The Pumpkin”! Not even two months later, tragedy struck. A senseless vandal tossed some fireworks into the interior, burning the car beyond repair. The image is enough to make anyone sick with grief. As you could imagine, Nino was devastated. His family, determined to lift Nino’s spirits, used the insurance money to buy a 1969 Mustang GT that was hiding in a relative’s barn for over two decades.

A family friend started a GoFundMe account that raised about $14,000 to support the restoration of the ’69 GT. Other family friends donated shop time and Nick Mertz at Dings-N-Things (Springfield, MO) donated labor & material. After a grueling two years of elbow grease, his dad and grandfather were able to restore the replacement car customized specifically for Nino. Racing seats and a 5-point harness serve to keep Nino secure without the need for a medical or toddler car seat. A homemade, trunk-stored wheelchair carrier makes this 1969 Mustang GT (now known as Charcoal Baby) the coolest wheelchair van in the world! This allows Nino’s dad to take him cruising on highway road trips. Nino is eager to take the car on a road trip to St. Louis, MO to visit relatives and watch a Cardinals game! The trip to the Eureka Springs Mustang Days event was the inaugural road trip for Nino and the car, and everyone was so happy to have them both!

28

TABLE OF CONTENTS


The Hubberts Steve and Cindy Hubbert purchased their 1969 Boss 429 Mustang in 1985 and then restored it in 1995. The restoration included all original parts, even the GoodYear poly-glass tires. In order to be able to drive and enjoy the vehicle for what it is, Steve put on a set of more modern tires and is out there tearing up the roads in the gorgeous automobile. Did we mention this car won “Best in Show”?

Martha Martha Rawlings noticed a 1967 Mustang, fastback sitting in pasture about 5 miles from her home. Martha and her husband stopped to inquire if the owner would be interested in selling. While many, like Martha, had stopped to ask the owner always replied that it was his brothers car and not for sale. She noticed the car was full to the ceiling with empty aluminum cans. The land owner told Martha, “That’s my alarm system. If anyone tries to take the car I’ll hear those cans roll out, the dogs will start barking and I’ll catch ‘em!” A year later, the car was still in the pasture and Martha decided she would try her luck again with the owner. As is turned out, the owner was going to have it restored, he had a garage full of the original parts plus many he had purchased. Due to some health issues, the owner finally decided to sell. He, he gave Martha all the parts he had, about 2 truckloads of parts! Martha’s brother and husband loaded the car up and it went to the brother’s garage for a 9 month rebuild and restoration. The car is extra special to Martha because the work was done by her brother and her husband. Mr. Rawlings kindly reminds Martha that he loves to drive HER car!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

29


Melvin Melvin Privett received a 1970 Ford Mustang as payment for painting a customer’s house. The car needed plenty of work, it was even missing floor boards. After plenty of blood, sweat, and tears, Melvin restored the car with all original parts (exception headliner and dashboard). About 4 year after the restoration, Melvin car was sold because of some family issues. One day Melvin catches the sight of his car on a yard sale post on Facebook. He headed to the yard sale, and purchased his car again, ironically the vehicle’s title was still in Melvin’s name!

The Cheyneys Mary Cheyney was the proud owner of a 1967 Mustang, fastback. Unfortunately for Mary, her husband Terry crashed her car one day, she was heartbroken. It only took 20 years, but Terry finally found a 1973 Mustang, fastback for sale. He knew he could never replace his wife’s original car, but he knew he had to try. Money was tight and Terry knew he had to act fast to secure the car before it was out of his financial reach. Mary and Terry sure are happy with their car and it looks amazing!

30

TABLE OF CONTENTS


The Wrights Gary and Marie Wright saw a 1971 Mustang online and thought it would be great to own the car made the same year they were married. They purchased the vehicle, even though they never saw the car in person! After an amazing restoration of the interior and engine, they are enjoying taking the car to shows.

The Roberts Billy Roberts and his wife Joey found a heck of deal in their 2006 Foose Mustang. The vehicle, number 33 of 55 builds and the only one in white, was part of a collection of 21 other exotic cars. After the original owner passed away, the widow sold every one of the cars from her late husband’s collection, each well below market value. Billy and Joey traveled to Oklahoma in order to purchase the car and are now proud owners of an incredibly rare Mustang.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

31


truck Yeah SHELBY AMERICAN INTRODUCES A NEW STREET TRUCK WITH SPORTS CAR PERFORMANCE Words By Blake Williams

Some may remember the iconic Ford SVT Lightning, introduced back in 1993 but made wildly popular with the 2nd generation in 1999. This single cab, rear wheel drive F-150 was a groundbreaking vehicle for the late 90s and early 2000s, a time where emissions and fuel economy devastated the performance market. Cranking out 380 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, this was one of America’s first popular street trucks that people still love. Being featured in films like “The Fast and the Furious”, these trucks were no slouch in the street racing scene. The 5.4L Supercharged V8 allowed the Lightning to rocket to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, mind-bending for its time. Fast forward to 2019. The muscle car wars have been reignited and most companies offer cars that have 600 to 700+ horsepower on tap. Technology has allowed companies to push higher performance figures while still fitting into emissions regulations. Car enthusiasts are seeking for their next adrenaline rush behind the wheel, and Shelby American has the answer. Enter the 2020 Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport. America’s new street truck. Lighter and faster than the larger super crew sized Shelby F-150 Super Snake, the Sport boasts 770 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 3.45 seconds. This makes it the fastest street legal truck available to the public. 32

TABLE OF CONTENTS


33


With two less doors and 15 more horsepower, Shelby American takes advantage of the lightweight single cab chassis to produce their fastest truck ever. A lot like the 1999 Ford SVT Lightning formula, a gigantic supercharger is mounted to the F-150’s 5.0L V8 to create this astounding horsepower figure. One big difference from the Lightning that the Super Snake Sport utilizes to boost its performance is the use of four wheel drive. Four wheel drive allows the truck to maximize traction and put as much power to the pavement as possible. This also helps with launching the truck. Whether it’s at the drag strip or at deserted street light lined up next to some pesky Camaro (which you were not about to race because that would be considered illegal street racing), the four wheel drive with give you the edge you need to make the best pass possible. Just over eight seconds later you’ll be doing 100 mph, blowing away the competition. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that 0-100 mph happens in a blistering quick 8.3 seconds. Just to put that into perspective, the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS does 0-100mph in 8.8 seconds. This is a pickup truck that has a faster 0-100 time than a new Chevrolet Camaro SS. The fun doesn’t stop there. A Shelby vehicle can’t wear the Shelby badge without a thunderous exhaust note. A specialty Shelby by Borla Exhaust system is standard on the truck to create the perfect exhaust note for this street truck. And as much fun as it is to smash the throttle and get your speed fix, being able to slow down and stop is key to the drivers safety. Shelby by Baer brakes are outfitted on the truck, built to take the beating this high performance truck can give them. The suspension has all the necessities to keep this powerhouse on the road. Adjustable control arms, coil-overs, and traction bars are just some of the goodies included. 34


Styling speaks for itself. The Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport is a continuation of Shelby’s truck design language. Aggressive body lines and functional scoops make the truck look less like a normal F-150 and more like a performance driven race truck. The lowered suspension gives the Sport a unique look while lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity and increasing performance. A front splitter that is similar to the ones featured on other Shelby vehicles is located on the front bumper to add to the aerodynamics of the street truck. Other styling features include 22” Carroll Shelby Wheel Co aluminum wheels, Shelby stripes and badging, and a custom painted tonneau cover. The interior comes with new leather seats with Suedezkin inserts and the Super Snake Sport embroidery giving the truck a luxury feel not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. According to Gary Patterson, President of Shelby American, this street truck wasn’t originally planned for production. “The Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport was initially an R&D exercise to build a street legal truck that could deliver blistering performance” and “the reactions from enthusiasts, the media and Shelby dealers were amazing. In fact, they petitioned us very hard to put it into production. Our team fast tracked the development process and we’ll begin manufacturing the super trucks in Las Vegas during the first quarter of 2020.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

35


“As a truck and performance enthusiast myself, Shelby American has created the perfect package for performance and functionality” says Shelby American Sales Manager, Matt Giles. Offered in both a naturally aspirated and supercharged variant, the Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport will be a force to be reckoned with on the street. Shelby wanted to do something that we haven’t seen since the SVT Lightning, and they succeeded. When talking to Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and Chief of R&D, he said that, “we were missing a hot rod two-door that could dust the competition. The 2020 Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport is lightning fast, wicked fun to drive and has the track styling that Shelby fans crave.” 15 years after the last SVT Lightning, we finally have a true replacement. Although it might not carry the same badge, the Lightning’s roots run deep within this new street truck by Shelby American.

36


SERVING ALL OF CALIFORNIA!

CERTIFIED SHELBY PERFORMANCE INSTALLATION FACILITY. PHOTOGRAPH  SHELBY F150 SUPER SNAKE STREET TRUCK

VISIT US ONLINE TO VIEW OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY.

www.kengrodyford.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Orange County

San Diego

Redlands

6211 Beach Blvd. Buena Park, CA 90621 (888) 891-2471

5555 Paseo Del Norte Carlsbad, CA 92008 (888) 891-2471

1121 W Colton Ave. Redlands, CA 92374 (888) 891-2471

37


Team Shelby

Legacy Texas Car SHow Words By Austin Maness Pictures By Brandi Kozlovsky The Shelby Car Show is an annual event, celebrating the automotive genius of Carroll Shelby. The show is hosted and sponsored by the Legacy Texas Bank, the Shelby Family, and the Shelby Cobra Association of Texas. In honor of the 10th Annual show, Team Shelby Texas put together a variety of events to continue to build exciting content for Team Shelby members. On Friday, participants arrived from the far reaches of Texas and beyond. Shelby American set up at AutoNation Ford, a local dealership in Frisco, in order to host members of the media and Team Shelby members to get “hands on� exposure to some of the most exciting new products in production. Participants were even allowed to drive the Shelby prototype vehicles, or ride shotgun with president of fun himself, Mr Gary Patterson. 38

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Saturday morning came bright and early, as Team Shelby members lined up to enter the car show. Because of the every growing popularity of this event, registration had filled up in only a few short days. Led by our Dallas chapter director, Brandi Kozlovsky, Team Shelby members parked together and enjoyed cool refreshments with Mrs Rafella Golden and Ms Brianna Fawn over at the Team Shelby Lounge and Team Shelby merchandise trailer. By the end of the show Team Shelby Southern Plains Region had signed up dozens of new members! After the car show and some much needed pool time, Team Shelby members gathered again for evening dinner at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, TX. During the evening meal, members bought raffle tickets, and bid on auction items, with all proceeds going directly to the Carroll Shelby Foundation. Thanks to the hard work of the all the directors, Rafella, and Brianna, Team Shelby Texas pulled in an impressive $3,000 for the Foundation! The fun was not over yet as everyone woke up early on Sunday to attend a local event known as “Fueled Up Meet”. The Shelby American rig and the Team Shelby merchandise trailer, surrounded by 100+ Shelby’s and Mustangs, drew the attention of over a thousand car enthusiasts that attend the event. The company that organizes the monthly event, Park Up Front, stated they were blown away by the amount of participation from Shelby enthusiasts from across the state. They added that without a doubt the local Mustang and Shelby owners set the bar extremely high for other clubs that attend their event. Team Shelby Texas will continue to build upon this amazing event and hope to bring even more enthusiasts together in the coming years.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

39


SI

40

TABLE OF CONTENTS


XT

Rent-a-CAr

Shelby GT-s First Drive

Words By Matt Stone

Every Shelby enthusiast is familiar with the Hertz/Shelby car rental program, that began in 1966 with the original Ford Shelby Mustang GT 350H, which has come and gone and evolved over time. It is without question the most successful co-branded automobile production and car rental program ever. Shelby American’s model line of Shelby Mustang’s is virtually all new for 2019, and with it comes a new car rental program, with different premium brand car rental company joining the fold, to offer the first supercharged Shelby Mustang model ever launched into a rental fleet. You may or may not have heard of SIXT, but you should know that it’s one of the oldest car rental companies in the world (pronounced like “Sixed”, and not “Sixty) and has announced it will team up with Shelby American to offer a special SIXT edition supercharged Mustang GT-S in select markets, so far named as being Southern California, South Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada. SIXT is a multinational company with more than 2200 locations in over 105 countries worldwide, and since 2011 is now America’s fourth largest vehicle rental firm. Most significant about this program is the car that can be rented at those select SIXT locations is a genuine Shelby Mustang, equipped with a tempting smorgasbord of proper Shelby American equipment and modifications; most notably in the form of a Shelby supercharged 5.0-liter DOHC all-aluminum V-8 rated at 600 horsepower. The car’s suspension and handling portfolio have been suitably upgraded to make the most of the SIXT GT-S’s prodigious power; all of which includes Shelby alloy wheels running beefy oversized Shelby brand tires that maximize grip and response. The suspension hardware has been firmed up accordingly, with the goals being to make the most of the high performance rolling stock, while preserving a substantial modicum of ride comfort. Equally the brakes are upgraded to Shelby/Brembo spec calipers to ensure the “whoa” matches the “go.” All Shelby SIXT GT-S Mustangs will be equipped with Ford’s uber responsive 10-speed automatic transmission, with shiftpoints and other performance parameters specially calibrated by Shelby American. Just as much as you’ll recognize those early 1966 rental Shelbys due to their now iconic black and gold livery, you won’t have any trouble identifying the SIXT Shelbys either, as they’re finished in SIXT’s flagship orange and black livery. The cars are fully serialized and badged as genuine Shelby Mustangs, and also wear appropriate SIXT branding. The effect is stunning; somewhat recalling the orange and black livery used on Ford’s factory entered SCCA Trans-Am championship winning Boss Mustangs of 1970 as driven by Parnelli Jones and George Follmer. All Shelby SIXT GT-S cars will be fastback coupes for the duration of the 2019 program. Inside you’ll note a special gauge package mounted high on the center stack, as well as orange leather highlight panels (and Shelby I.D.) stitched into the black leather power sport seats. The car also earns a special lightweight composite Shelby hood, and the new-for-2019 Shelby front splitter and fascia designs. And it just wouldn’t be a Shelby Mustang

TABLE OF CONTENTS

41


without a proper rumbly stainless steel quad tipped exhaust system. The initial program announcement encompasses the building and distribution of just 20 of these very special cars into SIXT premium rental fleets. “The SIXT edition Shelby GT-S combines terrific handling with astonishing power, excellent braking, a muscular exhaust note and striking good looks,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and Head of Development. “We worked closely with SIXT to design a car that makes a bold statement when you see it and then delivers when behind the wheel. SIXT is giving the public a very rare opportunity to enjoy one of the best sports cars in the world at some of the most exciting destinations in the US. This is the rental car experience that people could only dream about before the Shelby GT-S.” LaViolette should know, as he and company president Gary Patterson did the lion’s share of the development driving for this very special model. “Our customers are itching to get behind the wheel of the first SIXT customized Shelby,” said Sebastian Birkel, CEO, SIXT USA. “We’re always looking to grow our fleet with premium cars that bring passion and excitement to the drive. We can’t think of car that better fits that idea than Ford’s brand new fully loaded Shelby. This will be the first ever supercharged Shelby available to rent and we are thrilled to have it at SIXT.”

42


We picked up our Shelby SIXT GT-S test unit at the Shelby Los Angeles facility, choosing to drive where many rental customers may also decide to; The South Bay legs of California’s storied Pacific Coast Highway 1 are just a few miles south of Shelby LA, so we scoped out a route that would take us through interesting, scenic, and historic touchpoints along the Shelby American trail; the South Bay beach communities of Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo Beaches, then on into El Segundo near LAX Airport (where GT350 production was based back in the day, and also where Carroll Shelby lived for some time), under the famous LAX tunnel, then on to Venice (home of the Shelby American racing team shop for some time) Santa Monica, and then up Highway 1 along the coast into the canyons of Malibu – great scenery and great driving roads combined. Lighting up the SIXT GT-S is as simple as thumbing the starter button mounted down low on the center stack, and the fortified, 600 horse Shelby supercharged V-8 awakens with a chesty bark, immediately settling to a smooth yet authoratative idle; the burble of those quad exhausts overlaid with the gentle whir of the blower at idle. Select Drive and your away. Pootling the car around town at low revs is a cakewalk; the sound and throttle response a constant reminder that big game performance is available as close as the end of your right foot; yet when you’re on the cruise and down-low, this Shelby is docile enough for your grandmother to drive. That’s how we did most of our time through Hermosa, Manhattan, and Redondo – resorty beach towns with mellow speed limits and plenty of radar guns. What strikes you immediately is how well this car rides, given its decidedly handling biased suspension and rolling stock; it’s firm, crisp and responsive, but never punishing, no matter the road surface. The only distractions are the urge to unleash the beast, and the attention you’ll get from onlookers – constantly giving you thumbs-up and snapping camphone pix of the brilliant orange and black livery. While parked, more than a few passersby asked what kind of car this was, or more correctly, “what kind of Mustang is this.” But once they read the Shelby badges, they knew. More than a few jumped in for selfies with our tester. Decker Canyon, Malibu Canyon Drive, and Mulholland Drive are all historic canyon roads through the mountains north of Santa Monica and Malibu; home to the famous Rock Store bar and diner, plus other sports car and motorcycle enthusiast haunts. Steve McQueen used to carve up these canyon roads when he lived in nearby Brentwood, and later Malibu. The perfect place to let the SIXT Shelby off the chain a bit. The only word to describe its 600 horsepower delivery is ferocious, yet controllable and with an air of sophistication; unabashedly American, with big power available all over the tach, this car builds or carries speed with so little effort it nearly isn’t funny. And the chassis has the moves to keep it all pointed where you want it; of course you can burn rubber, and hang the tail out if you wish, but there’s little need for that, as the steering is so precise, the control so confidence inspiring, and the grip limits so high it’s really much more fun to stay on line and make time than to drive it like a monkey. All, again, with a firm yet controlled ride that never punishes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

43


And a word to those who may poo-poo the 10-speed autobox; actually, just don’t. Because it’s that good. Ford’s 10R80 Transmission is a serious, technologically advanced bit of kit; it combines some technologies from “autoclutch manuals” or “sequential manual gearboxes” in that it contains 10 forward ratios and employs internal clutches; a CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission, known as a highly efficient design; and a conventional automatic transmission in that it employs a torque converter. The 10R80 offers a standard Drive mode, where the transmission shifts up and down completely automatically, and smoothly, dependent on vehicle speeds and power demands employing all 10 ratios, plus a Sport mode which locks out the top overdrive ratios, offering the engine only lower and mid-range gear selections to maximize performance; plus manual control via steering wheel mounted shifter paddles, by which the driver can summon near instantaneous up-and down-shifts with the flick of the paddle (the right hand paddle controls upshift, while the left hand paddle commands race quality downshitfts). In standard Drive mode, the transmission shifts seamlessly up and down through the gears, always responsive to throttle commands by the driver; in Sport mode, the shifts are a bit firmer and more crisp, yet still fully automatic; when driven “on the paddles” in Manual Sport mode, shifting is of course up to the driver, again with firm, crisp, quick responding shifts. Hard core stick and clutch drivers will be highly impressed with this transmission, and as calibrated in this Shelby GT-S specification, it’s likely more efficient, faster on track, and easier to drive than a 6-speed manual. Unless your last name is Andretti, you can’t shift faster than this box. Period. Just to further test its ability to read the driver’s mind (and right foot) we summoned up a full throttle passing situation while on the cruising up to speed on the freeway yet still at about 50 MPH. The transmission shifted down from 7th or 8th gear into 3rd, and actually broke the rear tires loose once all 600 horsepower connected to the rear end; it was completely controllable, borderline violent, and silly fun – now, honestly, when was the last time you burned rubber on the freeway? Besides your chance to rent and drive a fabulous car in an iconic vacation spot, another benefit of the SIXT program is that it can offer you an extended test drive should you be considering the purchase of a new Shelby GT-S. La Violette summarized it, saying “of course our dealer will facilitate a test drive in any new Shelby product, but imagine being able to spend a day, a weekend or a week in one – it may be the ultimate expression of ‘try before you buy’ a new Shelby.” Like all Shelby products, each SIXT GT-S will wear its own Shelby American serial number, and be included in the official Shelby Registry. For those of you who purchase and collect Shelby rental models, you’ll be interested to know that Shelby American and SIXT have publicly announced that these cars will be sold off into private hands once this first phase of the Shelby/SIXT program has come to a close. That date has yet to be determined or announced, and will not likely come prior to summer 2020. Shelby American has earned a reputation for building the most exciting rental cars for over fifty years,” said Gary Patterson. “Our team is honored to make history with SIXT by offering the first supercharged V8 Ford Mustang available at multiple rental car locations across the US. The hot new SIXT edition 2019 Ford Shelby GT-S Mustang will make any trip an amazing and memorable adventure.”

44

TABLE OF CONTENTS


TABLE OF CONTENTS

45


Heritage MKII GT40 LIFESTYLE COLLECTION

The race-winning Mark II GT40 is as iconic today as it was 50 years ago because of the blockbuster movie “Ford v Ferrari.” Ken Miles (portrayed by Christian Bale in the film) drove the #1 car for the Shelby American team during the 1966 racing season, winning Sebring and Daytona; he was declared second in the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year. Although he lost Le Mans due to a technicality, Miles is recognized as the true winner of the race. Ford has never forgotten the GT and its legacy. After reviving the Ford GT for the 2005 and 2006 model years, the blue oval surprised the world with a new generation car in 2016. The current generation (2017 model year) Ford GT was a game changer for the automotive world when it returned Ford to the ranks of supercar manufacturers. A critical reason that Ford returned the car to production was to compete at Le Mans during the 50th anniversary of the 1966 win. The Ford GT gained enormous credibility when this “underdog” won its class at Le Mans, as well as taking third and fourth place. Nothing on the road has the presence quite like a Ford GT. Whether its the racecar that dethroned Ferrari in the 60’s or the track weapon built in the 21st century, the Ford GT symbolizes a championship-winning heritage.

46

TABLE OF CONTENTS


GT40 Black Hat

GT40 Mk II Racing Flags Black Tee

Smarter, Faster, Nastier Black Tee

Ferrari’s Ass Is Mine Socks

GT40 Mk II Blue Tee

CS “Ferrari’s Ass Is Mine” Royal Blue Tee

1:18 Scale 2017 Ford GT #9 Diecast

1:24 Scale Ford GT Concept #6 Gulf Diecast

Mk II GT40 Poster

Ferrari’s Ass Is Mine Blue Mug 47


48

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Ken Miles Words By Art Evans Ken Miles and I became friends shortly after he moved from England to the USA. Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles were close, if not best friends. During the Shelby American years (the 1960s), Ken was the preeminent engineer and top driver for Shelby. Here’s how it came about. Beforehand, Ken had his own repair shop, Ken Miles Limited, in North Hollywood. He occasionally raced a Sunbeam Alpine for Rootes Motors. In 1963, Rootes thought a 260 Ford V-8 would fit and do the trick. They delivered engine-less Alpines to both Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles. The first conversion was completed by Miles in only one weekend. Unfortunately, Ken was a much better driver and mechanic than a businessman. One day his employees came to work to find that the IRS had closed the shop. So, Miles went to work for Shelby as Competition Manager. Until then, Cobras had been raced, but without much success. With Ken doing the preparation, Cobras placed first and second at Riverside on February 3, 1963. Ken went on to drive in more races for Shelby than any of the other team members. His record was also better than any of the others. According to Shelby, “Ken was unique. We always got along just fine; he was the heart and soul of our testing program. He made the Daytona Coupe work. Ken was a world-class driver. He was also helpful to the other drivers on my team. In the years before Shelby American, we knew him as kind of a hothead, but it never showed up during the time he was with me.” During 1963, Miles raced a Shelby Cobra 16 times, winning three and placing second in six. The following year, he won ten events in a Cobra. The next year (1965), Shelby American took over the Ford effort to prepare and campaign GT40s. The first time out was Daytona where Ken and Lloyd Ruby won the 24 Hours. At Sebring, he and Bruce McLaren were second overall and third at Monza in Italy. Due to Shelby, Ford became a serious contender for the World Manufacturers’ Championship. 1966 was a fateful year for Shelby and Miles, filled with their greatest triumphs and unspeakable tragedy. In those days, the triple crown of road racing was the 24-Hours of Daytona, the 12-Hours of Sebring and the 24-Hours of Le Mans. Ken, with co-driver Lloyd Ruby, won both Daytona and Sebring. Daytona was a clean-sweep for Shelby with his GT40s taking first, second and third.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

49


Towards the end of the 24-Hours of Le Mans, it became rather obvious that the Shelby MkII GT40s would win. Miles, with co-driver Denny Hulme, was leading with the Bruce McLaren/Chris Amon car second and a third GT40, driven by Ronnie Bucknum and Dick Hutcherson, some 60 miles behind in third. At the last pit stop for the three leading cars, the drivers were informed that Henry Ford II (the “Deuce”) had decided it would be good publicity for all three to finish in a dead heat. Both Miles and Shelby objected saying that this would be unfair to Ken and Denny. Actually, a dead heat with three winners with all three cars crossing the finish line at the same time was impossible. According to the rules, the car that travels the farthest distance wins. Since the cars don’t start together, but rather are lined up in a row along the pit wall, if the first car and the second car at the start/finish end in a dead heat, the second car would be the winner having traveled about ten feet farther. If Miles and McLaren were to cross the line exactly together, McLaren would be the winner because the McLaren/Amon car was lined up behind the Miles/Hulme car at the start. After receiving the instructions, towards the end, Miles slowed down for McLaren’s car and then both slowed so that Bucknum could catch up. Ken, angry and disconsolate from being deprived of the triple crown, slowed slightly just before the finish line allowing McLaren to take the checkered flag first. The official results show that McLaren/Amon traveled 0.020 kilometers farther than Miles/Hulme.

50

TABLE OF CONTENTS


I had dinner with Ken and his wife, Mollie, two months later and he seemed resigned to accepting the unacceptable result. He looked forward to bigger and better things and was convinced his driving career had not yet peaked. Although by then he was almost 50 years old. Meanwhile, the Ford Motor Co. was developing an evolution of the GT40 called the “J” car. Miles was to test the prototype at Riverside for Shelby, who was conducting the program for Ford. On August 16, 1966, he unofficially broke the record with a lap of 1 minute, 26.4 seconds. Two days later on August 18, going some 180 mph, the car went off the bank at the end of the long back straight, bounced end over end and caught fire. The car was totally destroyed, and Ken lost his life. I was in Mexico City on a photo assignment when my father called me at four in the morning to relate the news as the Miles family and mine were close. He and Ken were fast friends as were Mollie and my stepmother and. Mollie insisted that my father deliver the eulogy, and during the call, we talked about what he would say. Unfortunately, I couldn’t return in time for the service. According to journalist Jim Crow, “Miles had an ability to alienate people and was sometimes his own worst enemy. But with Shelby, everything seemed to go right. Both were champion drivers deeply involved with the development of cars. Carroll and Ken had a rapport based on mutual respect and admiration.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

51


Before the Shelby years, the Ken Miles story is interesting and unique. In the U.S. during the fifties, there were a number of road racing drivers who went on to international success during the next decade. Phil Hill, Carroll Shelby, and Dan Gurney come to mind. However, if a single fifties-era dominating figure had to be chosen, it would be Ken Miles. He brought to America the European concept of sports car racing, club organization, and road racecar construction. Miles was an important figure with an imposing personality in Southern California. He was not only one of the top roadracing pilots, but he also designed courses, devised rules, set schedules and helped govern the California Sports Car Club (in those days, independent from the Sports Car Club of America). In addition, he was an excellent writer, contributing many articles to motorsports magazines. Kenneth Henry Miles was born in Sutton Coldfield, England, in November 1918 at the house of his grandfather, a tea and coffee importer. As a child, Ken’s interests lay chiefly in taking his toys apart to see how and why they worked and in building complicated mechanical devices. But during school he was a loss as a scholar. At eleven years old, Ken’s interests were beginning to be focused on motor bikes and cars. When he was fifteen years old, he was introduced by a friend to a couple of high school girls. After the meeting, he said to his friend about one of them named Mollie, “I’m going to marry that girl.” To this end, Ken applied himself with such single mindedness that his headmaster finally phoned his parents to plead, “Can’t you do something about this Mollie business?” His parents duly wasted much breath on this project, but Ken continued wooing her and working intermittently on the building of an Austin 7 Special named Nellie. This little car had a modified induction and exhaust system and a higher-thanstandard compression ratio. The little car was a great success and was finally sold during the WW11. After he left school at age sixteen, Ken was apprenticed to Wolseley Motors, where he slowly worked his way through every phase of automobile production from sweeping the floor upwards. For transport, he rode a Velocette motorbike, which he was forced to sell when he lost his driving license for a year because of his speeding.

52

TABLE OF CONTENTS


When WWII started in September 1939, Miles was called up and sent to camp with the Territorial Army. Then he was posted to an anti-aircraft unit located in the chief armament producing area of England. When Coventry was destroyed during The Blitz, he saw plenty of excitement. But the highlight of his sojourn there was his marriage to Mollie. Next was a transfer to the newly formed Royal Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, where he took a course in engineering and maintenance of military vehicles. Emerging from this with the highest marks of any other student, Ken was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Ken was posted to a tank unit on the east coast. After several more postings throughout England and Scotland, Ken joined the invasion of Europe on D-Day two days after the first landing. Ken saw service in Normandy, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, working on tank reconnaissance and recovery. When a German 88 penetrated a tank’s armor, it left the crew splattered around on the inside. Recovered tanks had to be cleaned and refitted. His was the first British unit to pass through the notorious concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen, a gruesome experience. When the war ended, he was stationed on the Baltic coast of Germany where he spent his off-duty time organizing motorcycle races and sailing yachts. Miles was discharged from the Army in January 1946 after nearly seven years of service. Soon he bought a Frazer-Nash. It was light alloy, and, after Ken had inserted a Ford V8 engine, it went like the proverbial bat out of hell. He ran it with some success in hill climbs at Prescott and Shelsley Walsh and also in club events at the Silverstone circuit. He had returned to Wolseley Motors where he was engaged for some time in tool making. However, there seemed little chance for advancement, and when asked to join a friend in the production of racecars, the offer was irresistible. The racecar was a 500cc originally designed by Paul Emery with front-wheel drive and rubber cord suspension. The overall dry weight was 475 lbs. Ken loved every minute of this work, even though it was very exacting, since it was necessary for him to spend about 100 hours a week on the project in order to carry out their order on time. After several months, the long hours and lack of sleep took quite a toll on his health; he lost 14 lbs, got nervous and run down.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

53


About this time Miles was offered a job with Gough Industries in California by John Beazley, then general manager of Gough, an importer and distributor of British cars. He needed a service manager and Miles fit the bill. Ken left England just before Christmas 1951 and took up his post at Gough where he felt quite at home and happy. Soon, he began entering sports car races, running a stock MGTD at first and later a MG Mark II. Before long, he was working on the production of an MG Special (R-1). The design was entirely his own and except for the engine, the car was composed solely of stock MG and Morris components. Its first race was the 1953 Pebble Beach, then the preeminent, and most hotly contested, Western States event. When Ken arrived there, he had had absolutely no opportunity to test the car. Even so, he won the main event for cars under 1500cc and then went on to win every single event he entered that year, a total of ten races, an astonishing feat. The next year—1954—he sold R-1 and started to work on its successor, R-2. This second car was innovative for its time with a very light-weight frame constructed of small tubes and an aerodynamic envelope body. In 1955, Miles won Pebble Beach in R-2. By then, he had become known as Mr. MG. During the same year, he was elected to the first of three terms as president of the California Sports Car Club. He designed three of the courses (Bakersfield, Pomona and Paramount Ranch) and put together a program of almost a race every month. Undoubtedly this contributed to the success of a number of local drivers because they had seat time than those who lived in other locales. I first met Ken at the July 3-4, 1954, road races at Torrey Pines near San Diego. Miles won the main event (the Over1500cc Modified) in the Troutman-Barnes Special powered by a flathead Ford V8. My off-and-on hobby/profession is photography, so I was on Turn Two with my camera. It was a sharp right-hander that required drivers to slow considerably. It was very near a cliff that dropped off onto rocks on the Pacific shore. If a car missed the turn, the consequences were dire; occasionally some did.

54

TABLE OF CONTENTS


The main event was one hour long, and Miles had built up a considerable lead towards the end. I was drinking a Coke. Apparently, Ken was thirsty because on one lap he stopped and gestured to me to hand him the Coke, which I did. The next lap he stopped again and handed back the empty bottle. In later years, of course, he would have been disqualified for such an infraction. But in those days, things were more relaxed. After the race, I strolled down to the pits, struck up a conversation with Ken and we became lifelong friends. He was also my hero. After a little more than four years on the job, Ken was fired as the result of a disagreement with the boss, Phil Gough Sr. So Ken went to work for John Von Neumann’s Competition Motors, Western States PorscheVW distributor. Miles performed a number of functions, the most important of which was racing John’s 550 Porsche Spyders. Driving a Spyder for Von Neumann during 1956 and ’57, Miles won first overall 16 times. His most successful time with Von Neumann, however, was at the wheel of a Cooper. With a Porsche 4-cam racing engine in place of the usual Climax, Miles won seven out of nine races entered, including a first-in-class and fourth overall at Nassau against the best the world had to offer. The Porsche people in Germany became upset and forced Von Neumann to sell the Cooper. As the result of a dispute with Von Neumann at the end of 1957, they parted ways. Then Ken opened his own shop, after failing at it, he joined with Shelby. Ken’s loss was a personal one for me and my family and I still miss him. Note: Art wrote a biography of Ken, which was published in 2004. You can contact Enthusiast Books (800289-3504 or enthusiastbooks.com) for a copy.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

55


four twenty seven Even Matt Damon would be jealous! If you saw Ford V Ferrari, you should immediately enter to win this Superformance Cobra 427 used in the film’s production. What better way to experience a film than having a chance to go home with one of its stars? Plus, your donation will go directly to The Cobra Experience, a museum devoted to promoting, conserving, educating and preserving the cars produced by Shelby American. To Enter, visit www.winacobra.org. Make sure to use promo code ShelbyEzine to receive 20% more entries as bonus! Let’s talk about this car. It’s a 2019 427 Superformance Cobra used in the filming of Ford V Ferrari and comes with a confirmation of authenticity to confirm how unique it is. It’s powered by a Roush 427 SR V8 producing 510 horsepower, and its Tremec TKO-600 transmission was donated by renowned Cobra restorer David Wagner of Classic Motorsports. Last but not least, the paint is a gorgeous Indigo Blue with Wimbledon White Le Mans stripes. This Cobra was finished by Cobra Performance Inc. and company owner Drew Serb. Cobra Performance Inc. is known for attention to detail, excellent craftsmanship, and a commitment to both quality and authenticity in the Cobra parts it sells. It’s also run by one of the few distinguished experts and builders in the Cobra world. Remembering Carroll is what the film and this car is all about, which your donation will do. Proceeds from this giveaway will benefit The Cobra Experience, a 25,000-square-foot museum in Martinez, California whose mission is to educate the public and next generation of automotive enthusiasts about Carroll and his amazing cars. The museum showcases original Cobras, Shelby Mustangs, a Daytona Coupe, GT40, King Cobra, Sunbeam Tigers, and a Lotus. There are engine and wheel displays, posters, photos, and a shop scene as it was at Shelby American in the ‘60s. Unique to the museum is a 40-seat surround sound theater that features an HD film about the cars and the Ford and Shelby American story. You can find out more about the Cobra Experience at www.cobraexperience.org. 56

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Words By Emily Serb Lambert


TABLE OF CONTENTS

57


58

TABLE OF CONTENTS


A Matter Of Record CARROLL SHELBY IS THE ONLY PERSON TO WIN THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS AS A DRIVER, TEAM OWNER/MANUFACTURER AND TEAM MANAGER Words by Austin C. Craig

Photos by Austin C. Craig, Dave Friedman, Michael L.Shoen and Bruce Dowell

The 24 Hours of LeMans is the world’s most grueling sports car endurance race. Held each June on the 8.3 mile Circuit de la Sarthe, near the French town of LeMans, southeast of Paris, it is the ultimate test of speed and endurance for man and machine. The tradition of the “les Vingt-Quarte Heures du LeMans” annually attracts the best international drivers and racing teams each year. Winning the race as a driver is a career accomplishment. However, only one driver went on to win LeMans as a manufacturer/team owner and team manager. That man was Carroll Shelby. He won the race as a driver for Aston Martin in 1959, as a team owner/manufacturer for the Cobra Daytona Coupe in 1964, as Shelby American team manager for the Ford Motor Company’s international race program he won back to back with the Mark II in 1966 and Mark IV in 1967. Carroll Shelby the Driver This year makes the 60th anniversary of Carroll Shelby winning the 24 Hours of LeMans as a driver. By 1959 Shelby had been racing for seven years. From the moment he won his first race in 1952, driving an MG-TC in Norman, Oklahoma, Shelby worked hard and became an accomplished world- class driver. He won major races in the leading sports cars of the day, Allard, Ferrari, Maserati. His racing success in America earned Shelby a seat on the Aston Martin factory team. Shelby remembered; “John Wyer, Aston Martin team manager told me, that no wild, crazy-driving fool ever gets to the top. You have to plan each race and drive as you plan it. He taught me how to plan for myself.” Shelby learned his lesson well, as longtime friend Bill Neale attests; “Shelby was the smoothest driver I ever saw. Lap after lap, he hit the mark in all the turns, there wasn’t any wasted motion.” Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori were paired in one the three Aston Martin DBR1/300s entered in the 1959 24 Hours of LeMans.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

59


Their main competition would come from the potent V-12 Testa Rossa Ferraris, world class drivers, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney and Jean Behra handled the driving chores. The Jaguar D-Types were also thought to be a formidable threat. Unfortunately for Shelby, his Texas stomach and the French cuisine did not agree and he came down with a bad case of dysentery. Add a hot open race car without power steering, a driver with bid overalls not a modern day cool suit and you have an extremely brutal situation. Of course, Carroll Shelby was one tough Texan. After taking the checkered flag to win the 1959 24 Hours of LeMans, Shelby related a story; “We headed to Victory Lane. David Brown, (Aston Martin owner) was very proud. He left the track to shower, change into a new tweed jacket and clean slacks. He looked like a fashion model! He gets in and the car is awash with oil. Along comes some Frenchman and drops Miss Europe right in his lap. That one contact was enough to transfer 24 hours of oil, grease and grime all over David Brown’s clothes!” Carroll Shelby the Team Owner and Manufacturer A victory at the 24 Hours of LeMans is an achievement forever treasured by a driver or a manufacturer. To win the grueling contest as both a driver and manufacturer would be a monumental achievement. Only Carroll Shelby has been able accomplish this significant feat! After retiring from motorsports competition in 1960, Shelby pursued his dream of building an affordable sports car with European handling, powered by an American engine. Working closely with Ford Motor Company and AC Cars in Great Britain, Carroll’s Shelby Cobra became a reality. Always the racer, Shelby had two main objectives when he founded Shelby American. His first objective was to dominate Corvettes in the United States. By the end of their first year of competition, 1963, 289 Cobra roadsters had won every major professional regional and national championship. With the Corvette objective realized, Shelby turned his attention to his second objective, beating Ferrari on the world racing stage. 60


After racing on the European circuits, Carroll knew the Cobra roadster, dominate on the U.S. racetracks with their short straights and slow turns would have trouble competing with the sleek, aerodynamic Ferrari 250 GTO coupes on the long straights and fast corners of the European circuits. A Cobra coupe was needed. Thanks to a loophole in the international racing rules, manufacturers could take off the roadster body and install a coupe, as long as the chassis and engine remained the same. Carroll Shelby turned to Peter Brock, chief instructor for the Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving. Brock had a design background at General Motors, his drawings were the basis for the 1963 Corvette Stingray. In less than ninety days the Cobra coupe was designed, engineered, built and tested in time for the 1964 racing season. The Cobra Coupe was unveiled at Daytona International Speedway, where the press named it the Cobra Daytona Coupe. A name that would strike fear into the hearts of Ferrari enthusiasts for the next two years. By the time the 1964 24 Hours of LeMans rolled around the Daytona Coupe had proven superior in every way to the Ferrari 250 GTO. The second Daytona Coupe built, driven by Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant forever pulled the “cloak of invincibility” from Ferrari’s shoulders; thoroughly vanquishing the 250 GTOs on the way to a GT class win and an incredible fourth place overall. For Carroll Shelby, his return as a team owner and manufacturer, only five years after he won as a driver, was a satisfying time. Some years ago Carroll told me; “Having the Daytona Coupe win the 24 Hours of LeMans in its first attempt was almost as exciting as Cobra winning the 1965 World Manufacturer’s GT Championship for Shelby American and the United States”. Carroll Shelby the Team Manager The success of the Cobras on the international racing stage was not lost on the Ford Motor Company. In addition to the image enhancement the Cobras brought to Ford, it was Carroll Shelby’s ability to attract and hire the best people and let them do what was necessary to achieve success. This really impressed the Ford executives, in desperate need of a winner.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

61


In the early 1960s, Enzo Ferrari let it be known that he was interested in selling his company, basically to have an influx of funding to continue to dominate sports car racing the world over. Henry Ford II sent a delegation to buy the company. Ferrari stonewalled the Ford effort. Henry Ford II got furious, brought his people home and stated emphatically. “If I cannot buy Ferrari, I am going to beat them!” Easier said than done. After two years the Ford racing program was dismal failure and corporate embarrassment, Ford awarded the Ford GT program to Shelby American in December 1964. The objectives were quite clear. Beat Ferrari and win the 24 Hours of LeMans. The Ford investment in Shelby American generated immediate results. When asked why the Ford GT prototypes won their first race at Daytona, when they had not had a decent finish, yet alone a win during the previous two years, Shelby GT program manager, Carroll Smith explained; “We were not afraid to make changes, hack and rework the bodywork, change engine and suspension to make the Ford GT a winner. The English (who previously ran the program) were.” While the 1965 Ford GT program was reasonably successful wins for the Ford GT, the cars did not win LeMans. Henry Ford II made it abundantly clear that Ford would win the 1966 LeMans contest or Ford Motor Company heads would roll. Being a great team manager meant not only beating Ferrari and winning LeMans. It also meant managing the Dearborn folks where Carroll Shelby’s many people skills won the day. Ford Special Vehicle Director, Leo Beebe said of Shelby. “I think Carroll’s greatest strength was dealing with people. He knew how to give and take, but most of all he knew how to get results. That crew had a winning attitude and there wasn’t anything they could not do. Most of all, they won. And win they did in 1966 as the Shelby American prepared Ford Mark IIs dominated the international racing scene. With convincing wins at Daytona, Sebring and a 1-2-3 finish at LeMans, the crown jewel of sports car racing.

62

TABLE OF CONTENTS


For Carroll Shelby who guided the effort on the track and through the halls of Ford, the victory meant he now had beaten Ferrari as a driver, car owner and team manager. Quite an accomplishment. Never duplicated, before or since. Ford returned to LeMans in 1967 and won for a second year in a row. Again, the winning Ford, this time a new Mark IV, prepared by Shelby American and driven by the All American duo of Dan Gurney and AJ Foyt. Carroll Smith summed up Shelby as a program manager by saying: “One of Carroll’s biggest contributions to racing was that he turned the concept of long distance racing around. Before Shelby, everyone would study last year’s lap times and subtract two percent. With Shelby- we raced. He was a racer and had that mentality. He made things happen and hired the type of people who could also make things happen. That is why we were so successful.” Leo Beebe said it best; “Most of all, he is a winner.’

TABLE OF CONTENTS

63


Club Connect HERE’S HOW REGISTERING IN THE FORD PERFORMANCE CLUB CONNECT PROGRAM ENHANCES CLUB MEMBERSHIP Words By John M. Clor / Ford Performance Communications Manager Ford Performance has launched an exciting new program called “Club Connect” that can help all Ford and Mustang enthusiasts get connected with both Ford Motor Company and each other. Only those clubs who register with the program are eligible for no-cost promotion and support from Ford Performance, so you owe it to members of your Mustang or Ford vehicle club, online forum, or even Facebook Group to register and appear on our Ford enthusiast club map. All it takes is a visit to www.FordPerformanceClubConnect.com and a single click on the “Register Your Club” link. Once you fill out the form and hit “Submit,” you’ll be notified within just a few days of your acceptance in Ford Performance Club Connect -- it’s that simple, and it’s FREE! The primary goal of our Ford Performance Club Connect program is to get everyone to register their club – at no cost – and get themselves on our Ford enthusiast group map so that we can all connect with each other. Once there, you’ll be able to see all of the other clubs and groups who have registered in your region – not just Mustang clubs, but ALL Ford vehicle organizations and Facebook Groups who you may never have known about. The value in that is whenever you plan a club or group activity, you can see what other clubs and groups are in your area that you may wish to contact and ask to join you at a show or event. It also allows Ford Performance to see all the clubs and groups in a certain area, so that when we are coming to town or planning a special event in your city or state, you and your club members can be contacted. 64

TABLE OF CONTENTS


It takes only a few minutes for a club principal or board member to register your club and establish a direct link for your members to Ford Performance. Have a product or parts question that you want answered? Wish you could get some free club event promotion in our weekly “Fast News” e-blast that goes out to a quarter-million Ford fans each Thursday? Looking for event coverage for your show in the Enthusiasts section of FordPerformance.com? Hoping you could find a cool Ford goodie-bag or door-prize item, or a banquet guest speaker? How about requesting on-site show support with an appearance by our Ford Performance Meet & Greet tent, along with FREE Mustang poster giveaways for all show attendees? While requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, they can ONLY be awarded to clubs who are registered! So go to www.FordPerformanceClubConnect.com and click on the “Find Your Club” link to see if you are on the map. If not, then act now to register your club so that you can join this special program, all backed and supported by a real enthusiast staff managed by Ford Performance. If you have questions or want more info, you and your members can always email us at ClubHub@Ford.com, or can simply call our Ford Performance Info Center, toll-free during regular business hours, at 1-800FORD-788 (800-367-3788). So what are you waiting for? Get online and make sure you’re connected. Then make sure you get out there and enjoy your performance Ford this year. Find and attend a club meeting, a car show, cruise, or any driving or racing event, and discover the fun and all the friendly people involved in the world of Ford Performance. We’re sure that being connected with each other and with Ford will make your ownership experience even more enjoyable! No matter what you decide you’d like to do with your free time, the great thing about owning a performance Ford is that – unlike with buying one of those “appliances” produced by other automakers – when you buy a Ford, you buy into an entire

enthusiast world! That’s because Ford vehicles have the kind of personality and style that forges a personal connection with their owners, who in turn celebrate ownership each year at hundreds of enthusiast events across the country. Stay tuned to our “What’s Happening” http://performance.ford.com/ enthusiasts/what-s-happening.htm section under the “Enthusiasts” http://performance.ford.com/enthusiasts.html tab of FordPerformance.com to catch the latest show news. We’ll also provide the best online coverage from some of the top-notch venues sponsored by various Ford enthusiast clubs with our “Quick Look” http://performance. ford.com/enthusiasts/quick-look.html photo galleries, or via the special feature stories posted online in our Enthusiasts Newsroom. http:// performance.ford.com/enthusiasts.html There you’ll get the inside stories on Ford people, events and places as well as unique Ford club content that you can’t find anywhere else on the Web. We do it because, just like you, we’re driving Ford passion!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

65



Film ICons NEW “CINEMA SERIES” SHELBY AND GT40 CARS CELEBRATE FILM’S FINEST VEHICLES Words By Austin Spencer A new line of vehicles was introduced in November 2020 by Shelby American, Shelby Legendary Cars and Superformance called the “Cinema Series.” These stunning cars celebrate some of the greatest icons of film. The initial group will include Shelby Cobra roadsters, Daytona Coupes and GT40s as seen in the epic movie “Ford v Ferrari.” Based on vehicles successfully raced by Ken Miles, Chris Amon, Lloyd Ruby, Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren, Dave MacDonald and driven by Carroll Shelby, only 100 total cars in the series will be offered worldwide. Each vehicle will be based on a car shown in the movie and come with complete documentation. The Shelby roadsters will bear a CSX8100-8199 serial number and the Daytona Coupes will have CSX9199-299; the Ford GT40s (MkI and MKII) will have a CSGT40-P series chassis number. “The epic story of Shelby American and Ford taking down the powerhouse Ferrari was worthy of a blockbuster film and a line of commemorative cars,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “The heroic struggle on the racetrack thrust American automobiles onto the world stage, gaining critical respect to compete internationally. Everyone is so excited about ‘Ford v Ferrari’ that we’re celebrating it with these special cars, which are the ultimate movie souvenir.” Carroll Shelby was a racing superstar, winning sports car races worldwide. When he retired due to health issues from driving, he turned to building automobiles. His first car, the Shelby Cobra, combined the lightweight AC roadster with Ford Motor Company’s new small block engine. It was fast, reliable, light and nimble. Carroll Shelby planned to race the Cobra from the beginning and his cars dominated sports car racing in the 1960s. The competition roadsters and Coupes were piloted by legends including Ken Miles, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, Dave MacDonald, Allen Grant and Bob Bondurant. They won America’s only FIA sports car championship in 1965. The success of the Cobra program encouraged Ford Motor Company to turn the GT40 program (or Ford GT as it was initially called) over to Shelby American after the car continually failed in racing. Led by Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles and Phil Remington, the men did what many thought impossible and dethroned Ferrari at tracks worldwide, including the crown jewel of Le Mans in 1966. Ford’s GT40 ended up winning Le Mans overall for four consecutive years, an incredible feat that has never been repeated by any American car company.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

67


Their story was so compelling that Fox Studios turned it into the film directed by James Mangold with stars Matt Damon and Christian Bale. The production company approached Lance Stander of Shelby Legendary Cars/Superformance to supply vehicles for the movie. Key scenes featured Shelby Cobra roadsters, Daytona Coupes and GT40’s from Stander. “I’ve worked on many exciting projects since I began offering Shelby and Superformance Cars,” said Lance Stander, CEO of Shelby Legendary Cars, Superformance and Hillbank USA. “Nothing has been as exciting as the opportunity to supply cars for Fox Studio and Disney’s ‘Ford versus Ferrari’ movie. I really enjoyed working with them and the film is simply incredible. I believe it is the best ‘car movie’ ever.” The Cinema Series Shelby cars will be built to the same specs as those supplied to the movie. They are offered as a turnkey car with Avon CR6 ZZ tires, minus the engine and transmission; final finish can be completed by the customer or an installer. The Shelby Cobra roadsters are: • The blue 1962 “Carroll Shelby” edition based on CSX2000, the first Cobra driven by Matt Damon in the film • The white 1963 “Ken Miles” edition based on the initial street Cobras converted for racing; this model will include a Carroll Shelby Autographed (engraved) wrench and a spare cracked race windshield as seen in the movie • A red 1963 “Dave MacDonald” edition that resembles a Cobra driven by Dave’s son Rich MacDonald in the film while portraying his father The other car models include: • The blue and white stripe and orange flashes “Ken Miles” edition MkII big block GT40 based on chassis P/1015 that was driven to victory at Daytona in 1966 and competed at Le Mans • The 1966 black “Amon/McLaren GT40 (based on chassis P/1046) awarded victory at Le Mans by the ACO • The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe is available in aluminum like the original cars or as a modern evolution in fiberglass; this edition will wear the same livery as CSX2299, the car that won its class at Le Mans in 1964 All the cars used to film the movie were sold by Stander’s company within 48 hours of their availability to the public; Carroll Shelby International board member Aaron Shelby and his brother Randall, (grandsons of the icon), each purchased one. Peter Miles, son of Ken Miles purchased the Cobra driven in the movie by Christian Bale starring as his father Ken; Rich MacDonald bought the “Dave MacDonald” Cobra driven in the movie. “It’s wonderful to see Shelby American’s success played out on the big screen,” said Aaron Shelby. “While the people in the movie cer68

TABLE OF CONTENTS


tainly draw a lot of attention, it’s the cars of that era that everyone dreamed of driving. That’s why Shelby American partnered with Superformance for a limited run of special Cinema Series vehicles. Getting behind the wheel of one of these cars celebrates the story of everyone who made America a winner as part of that team.” The Shelby Cobra roadster in fiberglass will start at US$98,995. The fiberglass Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe will start at US$179,995. The GT40 will begin at US$189,995 and the aluminum Daytona Coupe will start at US$395,995. The Shelby cars will be built to order and delivered with a Shelby American serial number for documentation in the Shelby American Worldwide Registry. Orders are now being accepted. For more information, visit www.shelby.com, www.shelbylegendarycars.com or www.superformance.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

69


Have you seen our growing line of Truck Parts and Accessories?

2015-2019 Shelby CS45 Black $333.86

2015-2019 SuperCrew Floor Mats $229.00

SHELBY RAPTOR X-LITE GRILLE $1,549.95

2015-2019 Shelby F150 Coolant Tank $499.99

2009-2019 F150 Shelby 9.75 Diff Cover $249.99

Shelby American Hitch Cover $34.99 TABLE OF CONTENTS

70


on the block A MUSTANG IN PURSUIT OF IMMORTALITY Words by Roger Johnson As far as many of us are concerned, the most important thing that happened in 1967 was the fact big blocks were offered in all our favorite pony cars. Camaros could be ordered with the 396, Barracudas had the 383 and the Mustang provided the 390 option. It seemed only fitting that Carroll Shelby would up the ante with a potent 355-horsepower, dual-quad 428ci Police Interceptor engine to help transform the Shelby GT500 into one of the most desirable pony cars of all time. While today’s brand-new high-performance Mustangs are certainly fantastic, there is far more to the ultimate equation for collectible cars than mere numbers, and the first 428 Shelby Mustang is still proving that fact to this very day. This particular GT500, which will be selling with No Reserve at the 2020 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction as Lot #1348, was first assembled at Ford’s San Jose, California, facility and then finalized at Shelby America on June 19, 1967. Candy Apple Red paint and a black interior provide the perfect color combo for that vibrant period in our history. A C6 3-speed automatic transmission provides the driver the opportunity to use both hands on the wood-rimmed steering wheel to control this 8-barreled, road-ravenous beast. If you’re not use to the feel, or sound, of driving a dual-quad big block, you are in for a thrill you’ll always remember. The louvered hood extracts engine heat while other body mods do their share of quiet aerodynamic harmonizing. A twin-intake fiberglass hood scoop sucks in fresh air to help cool the power plant underneath. The Shelby’s side scoops were designed to operate outside the boundary layer of the wind blowing around it at highway speeds. The lower ones direct air flow to the rear brakes. Those at the B-pillar are designed to exhaust stagnant air from inside the cabin. The front and rear facia, as well as the deck spoiler, are fiberglass, which made the production of these pieces practical, while reducing weight at the same time. Special features include a power-assisted 16:1 steering box ratio for quicker response, high-performance Gabriel adjustable shocks at all corners in addition to a 1-inch diameter front anti-sway bar. The car’s optional air conditioning mandates a special engine oil cooler. The Courtesy Light Group, Sport Deck rear seat and power front disc brakes are all part of this particular package. The Interior Décor Group includes tinted glass, trip odometer and tachometer. Pioneering front seat shoulder harnesses remind us of the car’s racing heritage.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

71


A 3.50:1 ratio ring & pinion make for the ideal setup for any kind of road work. Kelsey-Hayes 5-spoke Mag Star wheels help seal this car’s classic status. The sequential rear turn-signal lights were acquired from Mercury’s Cougar of the same year. ’Ol Shel had influence with Mr. Ford, after all. The GT500’s exhaust sound was toned down a bit by the factory to keep owners from being targeted by the local constabulary any more than necessary. After all, it is a Candy Apple Red Shelby Mustang, which simply cannot ease through traffic unnoticed. A well-respected Shelby expert, who owned this car for 20 years, personally supervised its restoration, which was performed to the highest concours standards. The process was completed in 2008. Extensive documentation is provided on this fabulous example of Mustang’s glory days. A Deluxe Marti Report, a Shelby American Production Order, vehicle invoice and a copy of the original Window Sticker are all provided for the new owner. As sweet as this Shelby Mustang looks with period-correct everything, it does have another personality just waiting to come out. And with this GT500 offered at No Reserve, you could easily be galloping with the best of them. If you’re looking for a collectible that will continue to live in our hearts forever, this Shelby GT500 is the one. When Car & Driver magazine first road-tested GT500s in their February 1967 issue, the writers called this creation an adult sports car. On the other hand, the older it gets ‒ and the more you drive it ‒ the younger it will make you feel.

72

TABLE OF CONTENTS


The Legend Continues THE 1965 SHELBY G.T.350 CONTINUATION MUSTANG GALLOPS IN Words By Austin Spencer The blockbuster film “Ford v Ferrari” has made the Ford GT and Shelby Cobra international film stars. While everyone saw Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles turn those cars into racing champions on the big screen, they also transformed the Ford Mustang into a dominating force on the track. In 1965, Shelby American gave Ford its first true highperformance Mustang, the Shelby G.T.350. With its trackready features and twin Le Mans stripes, the Shelby version of the Mustang was one of the most recognizable performance cars in the world. And like the Shelby Cobra, Daytona Coupe and Ford GT, it became a racing legend. In fat, Miles drove the Shelby to victory in its first race on February 14, 1965. Only 562 were built in 1965, a scarcity that makes these cars highly collectible. But one of the best ideas from the 1960s is back as with the introduction of the 1965 Shelby G.T.350 Continuation car. The cars are built for Shelby American by Legendary GT, the company that collaborated on the limited production 1967 Shelby Super Snake continuation car. “This is a unique opportunity to ‘turn back time’ and buy a ‘new’ Shelby G.T.350 street or competition model directly from us,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “And there are some very cool options that allow you

to make the car all original or opt for subtle upgrades like electronic ignition, aluminum block and improved brakes. The ‘good old days’ are today.” Built from genuine 1965 and 1966 Mustangs with factory VINs intact, these cars are outfitted like their 1965 counterparts. They can come equipped with either a cast iron or aluminum 289ci V-8 from the Carroll Shelby Engine Co. and backed by a top-loader 4-speed. “Our craftsmen hand build beautiful cars that deliver incredible performance,” noted Barry Smith, CEO of Legendary GT. “And best of all, the Continuation Shelby G.T.350 offers a pure driving experience unlike anything else available today. This collectible Shelby is equally as at home on the track, a vintage car rally and a cruise night.” Production of the Continuation 1965 Shelby G.T.350 street and competition Mustangs is limited to 100 cars. Each will be included into the Shelby Registry as an official Shelby vehicle. To learn more, contact Shelby American at 702.942.7325.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

73


LISTEN. ADVISE. EXCEED.

BridgePoint Risk Management is one of the few firms nationwide with a focus on providing commercial and personal risk management solutions for successful individuals, families, and family offices. We operate on a national platform, with associates throughout the country. We maintain property and casualty insurance licenses in all 50 states, enabling us to respond to our clients’ evolving needs. Our team has extensive experience managing the complex needs of business owners, high-profile executives, athletes and entertainers, and collectors of fine art, jewelry, wine and automobiles. Our boutique service platform, coupled with a sophisticated team of professionals and independent access to best-in-class markets, ensures you benefit from a competitive, customized insurance program designed to address your specific exposures.

WHAT SETS US APART Experience • Independence • Carrier Relationships • Client Solutions Affluent Personal Property & Casualty Insurance Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance Entertainment Insurance Professional Liability Insurance Collector Car Insurance

Contact Nathan Sheets, Team Shelby Client Advisor 419-794-7866 | nsheets@bridgepointrm.com


The revolutionary ideas of Carroll Shelby that led to the creation of the Cobra and various other “Shelby” cars also resulted in the birth of a legend. Legendary G.T. Continuation Cars provides you with the opportunity to be a part of the legend and own a piece of American automotive history. It’s just like owning an original Shelby Cobra Coupe - only new! Visit us online at LegendaryGT.com or call us 1-888-224-6932 to get behind the Shelby Continuation car of your dreams! We are an official Shelby Licensed vehicle.

Find your next Shelby at

LegendaryGT.com


WAIT ‘TIL YOU HEAR THE EXHAUST NOTE

THE ALL-NEW 760-HP MUSTANG SHELBY © GT500 © IS HERE


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.