RIP Carroll Shelby

[dezeldoc]

Carroll Shelby, an international automotive icon who rose from a bed-ridden childhood in Texas to build one of the most iconic sports cars ever and become a world-champion racer died Thursday at the age of 89 after a lengthy illness. His cars will live forever.

A winner at Le Mans in 1959, a driver in everything from Formula 1 to the Bonneville Salt Flats, Shelby's lasting impact will be the cars he built, namely the Shelby Cobra 427 that beat Ferrari in Europe and his variations of the Ford Mustang that he was involved with from the 1960s through his death.

Throughout his career, Shelby battled and overcame his physical limitations, from racing crashes to a congenital heart defect that required several surgeries and eventually a heart transplant in 1990.

Born Jan. 11, 1923, in Leesburg, Texas, Shelby was the son of a rural mail carrier. After being confined to bed for much of his first several years, his heart grew strong enough for Shelby to take an interest in cars. During World War II, Shelby served as a flying instructor, and wrote letters to his fiancée by putting them in flying boots he'd drop on her farm.

Married with children after the war, Shelby began a racing career that quickly rose to international acclaim. After rushing to the track for his early races wearing the same bib overalls he wore at his chicken farm, the look became his trademark. Sports Illustrated named him driver of the year in 1956, and Shelby won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 -- driving some races with a nitroglycerin tablet under his tongue.

[1941Rick]

Rip ;(

[40P10touring sedan]

That's unfortunate.

I'll always remember what he did for one of the mopar cars since I had one, an 86 GLH turbo....man that lil 4 cylinder car was quicker than snot! I blew away V8 mustangs and Cameros left and right. That car ran from 84-86, 84 and 85 had regular motors while the 86 had a turbo option. I heard Carroll gave that car the "GLH" name , stood for "goes like hell"{direct quote from him, pardon me for that}, and it did go like heck! They even made a "Shelby edition" that same year that had an air-to-air intercooler, body badging/stripes and special monogrammed seat covers.

[RobertKB]

Loved his cars, especially the Cobra. I prefer the look of the small block cars although the big block Cobras are better known.

Actually, can't feel sorry for the man as he lived to a ripe old age but always feel sorry for those left behind. However, due to the fact of modern medicine, he actually lived 22 years longer than he would have in a different time.

As mentioned, he will live on through his iconic cars.

Edited May 12, 2012 by RobertKB

[bamfordsgarage]

I had the pleasure of meeting the man at the Monterey Historic Races a number of years ago when he autographed a poster for me in exchange for my donation to a favourite charity — he, of course would have forgotten our 10 second encounter within the next minute, but it's one I'll never forget.

[deathbound]

RIP:(........Now Cobras aren't going to be so cheap.

[Young Ed]

! They even made a "Shelby edition" that same year that had an air-to-air intercooler, body badging/stripes and special monogrammed seat covers.

When I was a teen the street rodder neighbor up the block had one. Blue with silver stripes. It was an awesome little car. Eventually something went wrong with the fuel system and rather than upgrade it he sold it off.

[yourpc48]

My father worked for him in LA years ago. He was doing odd stuff like installing bumpers etc. on the original Cobras. He still has one of the uniform shirts that he had to wear. Cobra patches and all.

The automotive industry has lost an Icon.

[40P10touring sedan]

When I was a teen the street rodder neighbor up the block had one. Blue with silver stripes. It was an awesome little car. Eventually something went wrong with the fuel system and rather than upgrade it he sold it off.

I got too many...uhm, speeding tickets. A guy made me an offer I couldn't refuse for it.

[fstfish66]

i just learned about this a few days ago,,, weather he lived to a ripe old age or not,,,the car guy has lost an icon,,,

i didnt realize his transplant was in the 1990s i thought it was earlier then that,,,,

next month i am going to the ford nationals at carlisle fair grounds in PA,,,they are trying to have a guniess book record event of the most shelbys together at one place,,,

this 2012,, is the 50th anniv,,for shelby america,,

[old stovebolt]

I am going to a WSATI meeting this Thursday at the Caroll Shelby enterprise facility in Torrance, CA., where they manufacture the Shelby Corbra. I will take some photos and post them for everyone. There is quite a collection of

antique race cars on site.

[fstfish66]

kool cant wait to see the pics,,,