The story of an American race car driver, entrepreneur and car creator. The Cobra, an all-American street and track car, today still manufactured by Shelby American in Las Vegas …
By the 1963 season, the Cobra and its 289 engine were dominating the US domestic race series, going on to only lose one race in its first three years of competition. Each proved to be a testing ground for Shelby and his team as they sought to extract maximum power and performance from their machine. Momentum was building for a run at the ultimate prize: the FIA International GT Championship. Among the keys to success would be a larger engine, capable of out running…
FIA rules ordered manufacturers to create at least 100 production models of each car entered. With that in mind, Shelby set to work testing a 390 cubic inch engine, but it wasn’t enough. With little time before the 1965 FIA season, a decision was reached to create an entirely new Cobra. To make it happen, Shelby recruited Ford to the effort, cementing a partnership that would result in Shelby taking over Ford’s entire GT racing program — and an invitation to convert the Mustang to a Shelby GT350 B-production road racer.
With a massive 427 cubic inch Ford V8 at its heart, the new Shelby Cobra would be the most feared muscle car ever built. Capable of 500 hp, the engine was so heavy that a full chassis redesign was needed, featuring a tubular coil spring design five inches wider for improved handling. Coil springs were installed all around, and the body was streamlined with flared arches that allowed for larger tires and a wider track. In every aspect, the 427 wasn’t just a leap forward for Cobra. It marked a new chapter for the American sports car, with handling, braking and raw power beyond compare.
Throughout racing history, there are wins that have changed a country, manufacturer or team. A precious few also change the entire sport. One such event is the triumph of Carroll Shelby in the 1965 FIA season. Together with a hand-chosen team of drivers and crew, Shelby entered GT competition with one goal: fulfill his dream of conquering Europe’s best with lighter, faster cars, and bring home America’s first international trophy in nearly 40 years. The road to glory required Shelby to earn the best seven performances in 13 out of 20 races, with points only awarded for first through sixth places. In the opening race at Daytona, Shelby stormed to 1st place, and followed it with a 1st place finish at the next race, held at Sebring. From there, the battle was ferociously joined by Ferrari, who had won the GT championship every year since its founding, and held the FIA Manufacturers championship for ten of the past 12 years.
Now the world watched with awe as the Shelby team fought to stay ahead, with 1st place finishes at tracks such as Monza, Le Mans, Nurburgring and Reims. Each race saw man and machine pushed to the limit, in a battle for supremacy more extreme that anyone imagined. In total, Shelby finished first in 11 out of 20 races, including at the final race at Bridgehampton. By that point, history had already been made. Shelby American was crowned FIA GT champion. Carroll Shelby became the first individual to win as a driver, team manager and manufacturer. A feat never repeated in the annals of motorsport.
Who was Carroll Shelby?
Before there was the car, there was the man. His name is the stuff of legend. His accomplishments, the envy of every kid who fell in love with cars and driving and courage and performance. As a 37 year old race car driver burdened by heart disease, he would defy death by downing nitroglycerine pills at high speed. Not just to stay in the race, but to stay alive. Shelby’s vision of what an American sports car could be has shaped an entire generation of high-performance automobiles. To this day, his legacy continues. On a fast track, of course.
Carroll Hall Shelby was born in Leesburg, Texas. Living life in high gear, he would become a flight instructor during World War II. He would drive his first race behind the wheel of a hot rod fitted with a flathead Ford V8. Would break land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1954. Would finish a respectable second place driving an Aston-Martin DBR3 against C-type Jags at Aintree. Would ride with the Aston-Martin team at LeMans in 1954. Would win at Torrey Pines with a 4.1 liter Mexico Ferrari. Would become Sports Illustrated’s 1956 ‘Sports Car Driver of the Year”. And the magazine’s “Driver of the Year” In 1957. Would win a 100 mile race at Riverside in a V8 Maseratti. Would co-drive an Aston-Martin DBR 1/300 and win the coveted 24 hours of LeMans.
Would drive a Scarab to first place at Continental Divide Raceways in 1960. And in his last year of racing, would win the USAC Driving Championship for 1960. Unable to compete with a deteriorating heart condition, his final lap in racing was now history. Fortunately for car lovers, a new path was about to begin.
“Building your own sports car is a dream for any racer, and that’s certainly what the Cobra has been for me.”- Carroll Shelby
His racing career now over, Shelby set his sites on automotive design. On creating cars that would be faster, lighter, more nimble, and able to win against the world’s best.. The result of this quest: The Shelby Cobra. In 1965, the Shelby-American Team, racing Cobra’s at the 12 Hours De Reims In France, scored enough points to win the prestigious FIA World Championship of GT cars. Taking the title virtually owned by Ferrari for a decade. Building on their success, the Shelby-American Team began racing Ford GT4O’s in international competition. The result? A win at the Le Mans 24 hour race In 1966. And another in 1967. At the request of Ford, Shelby began developing a high-performance Mustang for the street and track. The popular success of the Shelby Mustangs of 1965-1970 were, in large part, the result of Shelby’s racing and design skills. But Shelby’s vision of building another high-performance car would continue.
Serving as the guiding inspiration, in the 90’s, Shelby American developed the awesome Shelby Series 1, at the time, the fastest car ever tested in the standing measured. He was also involved in the development of the Dodge Viper and Ford GT. His legacy continues today at the Shelby American facility in Las Vegas with the ongoing production of authentic Shelby Cobra vehicles, and a selection of high-performance vehicle upgrades. A continuing partnership with Ford Motor Company has also moved the brand into the fast lane with new model power-driven Ford/Shelby branded vehicles, proving once again that Shelby’s performance philosophy is as relevant and appealing today as it was 45 years ago.
>>> Discover pictures of the historic Shelby Cobra Production on page 2 >>>
Viva Cobra! An American legend!