Carroll Shelby Helped Make Ford The Company It Is Today
Carroll Shelby is widely regarded as one of Ford's greatest innovators. His innovative thinking and design knowledge led to the creation of some of Ford's most legendary vehicles, propelling the motor company to the top of the racing world in the 1960s. Let's explore the life and career of Carroll Shelby, who some regard as Ford's savior.
The Early Life Of Carroll Shelby
Born in Leesburg, Texas, to Warren and Eloise Shelby in 1923, from a young age, Carroll Shelby was afflicted with a heart valve leakage problem that would continue to cause complications throughout his life. Shelby had a fascination with speed and cars, despite their infancy and relatively low speed in the 1930s.
Sherry Lambert Stapleton, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
He Was Mostly Bed-Ridden In Childhood
Due to complications arising from his heart valve issue, the young Shelby would spend most of his early life in his bed, unable to do anything too strenuous on his tender heart. It would be seven years until doctors would clear him to do all the normal things that kids do.
Moving To Dallas
In 1930, Shelby moved to Dallas, Texas, with his family. Being newly-declared fit and healthy enough to 'be a kid', Shelby clearly took that seriously and began a lifelong relationship with cars. His parents would buy him numerous car-like kids' toys during his younger years, including a sit-on four-wheeled car.
Bwilliams85, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Planting The Seeds For The Future
Shelby's father, Warren Shelby, shared his son's passion for cars and would frequently take him to car and dirt bike races in Dallas, planting the seeds of Shelby's passion for motor vehicles. This culminated in him driving and caring for his dad's old Ford at the age of 15.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
His First Car
At the age of 18, Carroll Shelby graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, and was given his first car: a 1934 Dodge. This was followed shortly by a 1938 Willys. Although these were not the speed demons that Shelby would later come to be associated with, they further instilled a passion for automobiles and motorsport.
Joining The US Army Air Corps
Like so many young men in the 1940s, Carroll Shelby did his part in World War II, joining the US Army Air Corps in 1939 and earned his wings at the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center, where he began instructing young fighter pilots.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
The High-Flying Carroll Shelby
Despite never leaving the United States during the war, Shelby became a Second Lieutenant and flew a variety of bomber aircraft, including the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-29 Superfortress. After WWII, Shelby would open a chicken farm to support his (by now) growing family.
Balon Greyjoy, Wikimedia Commons
Shelby's Farm Falters, But His Love For Cars Doesn't
Unfortunately for Shelby, his farm eventually faltered. He turned to car racing and found a local drag meet at the Grand Prairie Naval Air Station in January 1952, racing with a custom-built hot rod, made by his friend, Ed Watkins. Watkins' hot rod was powered by a Ford V8 engine. It didn't give Shelby victory, but did pave the way for his first proper race in May of that year.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Turning Up In Overalls & Farm Dress
Unlike almost all the other racers, who wore racing attire to that January race in Dallas, Shelby turned up as if he'd walked straight off his farm (because he had). Smelling like chickens and wearing blue denim overalls, Shelby's attire would become his standard racing attire and achieve legendary status.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Shelby's First Race Win
Shelby's first proper race occurred in May 1952 in Norman, Oklahoma. Sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), Shelby would draw the nation's attention by winning the race in the underdog of cars, the MG TC race car, powered by a 1.3L 55 hp engine. He would first win in his class, racing against other MGs, and then take first place again later in the day, against the much more powerful British Jaguar XK120.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Building His Racing Acumen
Shelby would begin to win races steadily, building his acumen as one of America's most up-and-coming racers of the 1950s. By the end of 1952, he'd won four races. In 1953, he raced with two different cars: the Allard J2 Cadillac, a sports roadster powered by a 3.6L Ford V8 engine, and the Roy-Cherryhomes J2. He would win seven consecutive races by the end of the year.
.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Aston Martin Are Impressed
With Shelby's 12 race wins in two years, he began to attract the attention of Aston Martin, the UK's premier racing brand of the 1950s. He received an offer in 1954 to race for Aston Martin, who wanted an American face for their burgeoning US market—and someone to test the mettle of their DBR3.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Shelby Spends A Year Racing In Europe
After accepting Aston Martin's offer to race for them, Carroll Shelby would spend a year in Europe, racing Aston Martins in England first, then was offered a seat in the company's DB3S race car at the prestigious Le Mans race. He raced alongside Paul Frere, but a malfunction caused Shelby to not finish the race.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Injured While Racing For Austin-Healey
After leaving Aston Martin, upon his return to the US in August of 1954, Shelby began racing for Austin-Healey. In November of that year, while racing in Oaxaca, Shelby's car T-boned a large boulder and flipped four times. Shelby shattered his elbow and broke numerous other bones.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Shelby's Recovery & Racing For Ferrari In 1955
It's safe to say that racing was one of the most important things in Shelby's life. More important than recovery, as he continued racing (this time with Ferrari) in a custom-made fiberglass cast and with his hand taped to the steering wheel. He would race in a 3.0L Monza Ferrari at Sebring, and was named Sports Illustrated's Car Driver Of The Year in 1956.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
1957: The Year Shelby Dominated The Racing Scene
In 1957, Shelby would have his most successful racing year yet, winning 19 consecutive races. Talk about being back with a bang. Shelby would again win Car Driver Of The Year in 1957.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Shelby Begins Building Cars
Although racing was Shelby's passion, building cars was probably where he should have been all his life. In 1957, he opened Carroll Shelby's Sports Cars in Dallas, with financial backing from the Hall brothers, one a car builder himself (Jim), the other (Dick) a Texas oil tycoon.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
From Front To Back In 1959
One of his most famous racing feats (there were many) came toward the end of his career in 1959, when Shelby spun out on the track while driving a Maserati in a race. He would end up at the back of the pack and surge his way forward, passing everyone to win the 100-mile race.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
1960 Was A Tough Year For Carroll Shelby
While 1959 was one of his most memorable years, 1960 might be the one that Carroll would want to forget. It began in February of 1960, when he started to experience chest pains at a friend's home. The doctor who saw him incorrectly told Shelby it wasn't a heart-related issue.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Shelby & His Wife Separate, Shelby Moves To California
Later in the month of February, Shelby and his wife Jeannie Fields separated and Shelby moved to California. He opened his first Goodyear Racing Tire distributorship in Southern California. Three months later, doctors diagnosed Shelby with angina pectoris, a hereditary heart condition, and advised that he stop racing.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Shelby's Final Race
Shelby's last race occurred at the Los Angeles Times-Mirror Grand Prix. He drove a Birdcage Type 61C Maserati and finished in fifth. However, the points he accrued were enough to win the United States Auto Club Championship for 1960. Talk about finishing on a high.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
The Legendary AC Cobra Build Begins
After building engines and chassis for other car manufacturers in 1961 and early 1962, Shelby began to build the now-legendary AC Cobra. He received the body of the AC Cobra from England by way of AC Cars. In eight hours, he and his team wedged a 260 Hi-Po V8 engine in the engine bay with a four-speed transmission. The build was completed by April 1962 and was displayed in the Ford booth at the New York Auto Show.
Carroll Shelby's American Auto Club - at the famous Watkins Glen street course, Wild About Wheels
Shelby American Racing Is Born
After the hyper-successful release of the AC Cobra, the Shelby American racing team was born. Carroll Shelby homologated the AC Cobra for racing and launched the AC Cobra into the LA Times Grand Prix in October. It didn't finish the race but was, nevertheless, a success. Shelby later signed Ken Miles and Dave MacDonald to his team.
Carroll Shelby's American Auto Club - at the famous Watkins Glen street course, Wild About Wheels
Shelby American Loses On Their Own Turf & Begins The Rivalry With Ferrari
In 1963, Shelby entered his AC Cobra into a Daytona race. Enzo Ferrari had also entered, in a Ferrari 250 GTO. After a loss to Ferrari in 1963, Ford's VP, Lee Iacocca, proposed that Henry Ford II purchase Ferrari and the pair were on the verge of a deal when Enzo suddenly pulled out. This led to Henry Ford ordering Iacocca to build a car that could beat Ferrari in a race.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Shelby Is Hired By Ford
Fueled by a desire to win and Henry Ford's immortal words, "If we can't buy Ferrari, we will beat them", Ford hired Shelby to build the car that could beat Ferrari. He began the design work on a brand-new hot rod: the Ford GT. This car would become the infamous Ford GT40.
Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Focusing On The New Build
Shortly after the start of 1965 and being hired on by Ford, Shelby pulled all of his AC Cobras from competition, keeping Ken Miles and Dave MacDonald on the payroll so that they can race in the upcoming Le Mans race, which Ford was preparing for.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Making Sweeping Changes
In order to beat Enzo Ferrari, Ford knew that the GT40 had to be something very special. Shelby and his team of engineers started building the car from the ground up. He made sweeping changes to Ford's original design, starting with the height: It was only 40 inches tall, to reduce drag and improve stability at high speeds. He also redesigned the transmission and a 7.0L V8 engine, necessary for competing in the gruelling 24-hour race.
Ford GT40 Chassis Construction at Abbey Panels by Adam C
The First Race Was A Failure
Ford would complete the GT40 Mk I in time for the 1965 Le Mans race, aiming to beat Ferrari this time around and send a shockwave around the racing world. It was not to be. Despite all the changes, none of the Ford GT40s finished the race. This made Shelby's boss, Henry Ford II, absolutely furious.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
One More Chance
Ford decided to give Carroll Shelby one more chance to build a racing car that could beat Ferrari. Several more changes were made to the Ford GT40 Mk II, including a four-speed gearbox (as the five-speed had struggled last time around). This new engine was finely tuned by Shelby's team and they felt it would provide the best chance against Ferrari in the Le Mans race of 1966. In fact, Shelby staked his career on it.
Alan Raine, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The 1966 Le Mans Race
The day of the 1966 Le Mans race came. Ford entered three GT40s with three drivers: Ken Miles, Bruce McLaren, and Chris Amon. By the end of the first lap, Ford's cars led the pack, with Ken Miles having to go into the pit lane to fix his driver door, which had been damaged earlier. By 8 pm that night, Ford was still in the lead, with Ken Miles having caught up to everyone, leading the way.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
A Historic Victory
Ford would lead the pack all throughout the night at Le Mans, as Ferraris began to suffer overheating. Ford pulled further ahead and by the morning, was on course for a historic victory. In a final showing of defiance and bravado, Ford ordered all of its drivers to cross the finish line at the same time, just as Ferrari had done the year before. Ouch.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Records Set, Egos Intact, All Thanks To Carroll Shelby
Ford would set two records at Le Mans in 1966: the car that covered the most miles (3,039) at a faster speed (125 mph) than any previous entry, and Ford driver Chris Amon was the youngest racer to win Le Mans, at 22 years old. Henry Ford was happy. Carroll Shelby kept his job and Ford began an automotive legacy.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
Shelby Stays On, Helps Ford Build Dominance
Shelby stayed with the Ford racing team, continuing to offer his services to upgrade Ford's cars to improve their capabilities. It worked again in 1967, as Ford would beat Ferrari in the 1966 Constructors Championship. But, at the 1967 24 Hours At Daytona, Ferrari's new P4 330s beat out Ford's GT Mk III, finishing in a 1-2-3 formation, giving Ford a taste of its own medicine.
Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Documentary - Speed Channel's Behind the Headlights, Cobra Authority
A Second Victory At Le Mans
While Ferrari had achieved victory at the 1967 Monza and Spa races, Le Mans was where it really mattered for Enzo Ferrari. Carroll Shelby helped design the Ford GT40 Mk IV, which was ordered to be a complete redesign of the "failed" Mk III.
Nathan Bittinger from Rochester, NY, USA (uploaded by Micap), Wikimedia Commons
Completely Redesigning The GT40 (Again)
Carroll Shelby was once again called upon to help Ford achieve victory over their bitter rivals. This meant another complete redesign. Aluminum honeycomb paneling was introduced, bringing the car's total weight to 2,660 lbs. The tragic death of Shelby's friend Ken Miles in 1967 led to his decision to ultimately leave Ford in 1968.
Twentieth Century, Ford v Ferrari (2019)
A Third Victory At Le Mans
Despite stepping away from Ford in 1968, Shelby was convinced to give Ford one last good year. Ford's new Mark IV took another barnstorming victory over Ferrari in 1968, solidifying Ford's legacy as a racing giant in Europe. Carroll Shelby's innovative thinking, foresight, and planning ability, as well as his leadership and can-do attitude, cemented his own legacy as one of America's greatest car builders ever.
Chernin Entertainment, Ford v Ferrari (2019)
It Wasn't Just Racing Cars He Built
Despite the GT40 being one of his most famous innovations, you may also have heard of the Ford Shelby Mustang. It was a high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang, designed and built by Carroll Shelby himself. The popularity of the AC Cobra spurred Shelby to produce the 1965 Ford GT350.
János Tamás, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Quintessential Mustang
The 1965 Ford Shelby GT350 was designed with a fastback roof and some serious power under the hood. A 4.7L V8 engine screamed out 306 hp and gave a frighteningly fast top speed of 138 mph. Shelby left the Cobra logo on the side of the Mustang and offered it in a cream white with blue racing stripes as a the quintessential color palette.
Retirement & Relocation
In 1976, Shelby retired and moved to South Africa, believing that government regulations on racing were going to end the halcyon days of competitive racing. He would briefly come out of retirement to help Dodge build the legendary Dodge Viper in 1982.
Carroll Shelby's American Auto Club - at the famous Watkins Glen street course, Wild About Wheels
Recognition Of His Contributions
After spending the last few years of his life in and out of the automotive world, Shelby was credited with reimagining Ford's image and brand as a competitor in the high-performance world. He introduced legendary cars like the GT40 and 1965-1967 Mustangs and transformed Ford's luck at a time when they needed his ingenuity. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, and the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1992.
Carroll Shelby's American Auto Club - at the famous Watkins Glen street course, Wild About Wheels
Carroll Shelby Passes Away
Later in life, Carroll Shelby would return to the Ford scene by consulting on the brand-new 2013 Ford Mustang GT-500. He passed away shortly before the unveiling of that car, at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, on May 10, 2012.
Carroll Shelby's American Auto Club - at the famous Watkins Glen street course, Wild About Wheels
Carroll Shelby's First Business Wasn't In Cars
You could be forgiven for thinking that his first business was in the car industry. It was actually making pots of chili! Kraft purchased the business, the "Original Texas Brand Chili Mix", in 1986, despite Shelby beginning the business some 20 years prior and even building a festival around it—the Terlingua International Chili Championship in Terlingua, Texas, in 1966.
You May Also Like:
Cars Likely To Become Collectibles
The Best Cars They Don't Make Anymore
Will Smith's Car Collection Is Fit For A King
Carroll Shelby's American Auto Club - at the famous Watkins Glen street course, Wild About Wheels
.jpg){kind=link}
