Written with carroll shelby s full collaboration and with a foreword by edsel b. Of the first three cobra replica companies in the business, unique motorcars, e. Cobra shelby ac book portfolio gold brooklands 427 289 260 fits. In this book, shelby cobra the snake that conquered the world colin comer takes us on the trail of carroll shelbys wild yet simple idea of putting gargantuan power into a relatively light car.
It was engineered and purpose built for auto racing, specifically to take on ferrari and its 250 gto in the gt class. Sorry, the book that you are looking for is not available right now. Shelby cobra fifty years is not only a complete history and celebration of shelbys cobra, but also about the people that made it great and. Shelby expert wallace wyss reports copies of shelby the man, the cars the legend are still available from enthusiast books. How lee iacocca and carroll shelby changed detroit hagerty. This is the story of the man carroll shelby who managed to create a car shelby cobra that won the minds and hearts of sports car fans all around the world. It thoughtfully combines the names of ac cars of thames ditton, down the river west from the centre of london, and carroll shelby, the wily texan snake charmer, garage owner and exracing driver, with the name of cobra. Shelby is best known for his involvement with the ac cobra and mustang for ford motor company, which he modified during the late 1960s and early 2000s. By the books, csx2075 is the first 289equipped cobra. The book is a revised and enlarged version of the cobra story, covering the cobra s successes in 1965 and 1966, as well as including technical specifications for the 289 and 427 cobras. With extensive details, specs, and photographic coverage, this book. The story of carroll shelby s success in building and racing cobras is a legend.
Jul 12, 2019 less well known is the role iacocca played in the creation of another significant automobile, the shelby cobra, and his very fruitful relationship with carroll shelby, which would go on to yield four consecutive le mans victories. Shelby cobra is a complete history of shelby s cobra sports cars. Shelby cobra daytona coupe the autobiography of csx2300. Shelby s story of his life and racing through 1964. When carroll shelby began developing a low volume sports car in 1962 with a visceral ford v8, he had little idea that this thenmodest project would continue to resonate with collectors and enthusiasts almost sixty years later. Pete brock is one of the icons of american automotive engineering, hes probably most famous for designing the shelby cobra daytona but he also holds the distinction of being the youngest designer ever hired by gm at just 19.
Comer is the author of the critically acclaimed books shelby mustang 50 years, the complete book of shelby automobiles, shelby cobra fifty years, and coauthor of the. Shortly after its publication, carroll shelby and phil remingtonthe two most important men behind the shelby cobrapassed away. Stories on softspoken wwii vet and cobra driver, ed hugus, private owners, barrey robles and richard messersmith will have you shaking your head in delight on their extraordinary stories. The ac cobra, sold as the shelby cobra in the united states, is a britishamerican sports car with a ford v8 engine, produced intermittently in both the uk and the us since 1962. If you appreciate the historical significance of big block 427 shelby cobras with racing provenance, youll want to know more about this 1966 shelby cobra csx3195. Apr 15, 2012 it was motoring author rinsey mills passion for ac cars and motorsports history that led to his first meeting with carroll shelby. Gone to the luckiest new cobra owner in the country, way over in raleigh, north carolina. Desiring to sell shelby cobra book, magazine, and photo collection.
First three shelby cobras built csx2000 csx2001 csx2002 book bruce carroll ford fits. A revised and enlarged version of the cobra story, covering the cobras successes in 1965 and 1966, as well as including technical specifications for the 289 and 427 cobras. The official registry was developed to catalog authentic shelby vehicles and retain their history. It is related to the shelby cobra roadster, loosely based on its chassis and drivetrain developed and built as an advanced evolution of which. Shelby american retired from the series at the end of the 1969 racing season after a very successful fouryear run. Carroll shelby himself disagreed at least technically. This fascinating 66 cobra includes over thirty years of receipts, racing log books, magazine articles, pictures, and related documentation materials. The ford mustang cobras history is closely intertwined with that of the shelby mustangs. A phenomenal collection of 270 photographs, brochures, race programs, posters, and shelby memorabilia that tells the inside story of how the team built its production cars and went racing.
Brian laban kwon very well the story of carroll shelby and of course ac cobra. This book is an essential addition to the library of any cobra fan, shelby fan, racing fan, or anyone who just enjoys a great story. It was carroll shelby, not ford motor company, who first used the name cobra on a car. The fabulous daytona coupe, brutally purposeful in both looks and performance, was created to win the fia world sportscar championship and duly did so in 1965, beating ferrari in the largecapacity class the. It begins with the events that led up to shelby s decision to build a highperformance sports car, continues with the story of the production cobra street cars and racecars, and wraps up with shelby s continuation cars. The book recalls the early 1960s when carroll shelby, a texas chicken farmer turned champion race driver, had the audacity to think he could start his own car manufacturing company. Carroll hall shelby, american racecar driver and builder born jan. Shelby americanbuilt mustangs earned more victories in the 1968 and 1969 transam seasons. The ensuin dounset resultit in shelby an ac carsangliss releasin a jynt press release wherebi acangliss acknowledged that carroll shelby wis an is the manufacturer o record o aw the 1960s ac cobra automobiles in the unitit states an that shelby himself is the sole person allowed tae caw his caur a cobra. The history of carroll shelby is multifaceted, complex and fascinating. Shelby cobra aug 1, 2017 the cars that made america from brawny engines and curvaceous chrome to the steady eddies and even the clunkers, here are our picks for some of the most influential. The authorized biography was a long time in the making, as mills left no stone unturned in his quest to produce the complete study of shelbys remarkable life. You can mark my dropdead spiffy titanium superformance cobra spo2454 sold. The specific car covered in detail in this book, csx2300, took part in five championship rounds one in 1964, four in 1965 and played its part in shelby americans unique team success.
Fifty years tells the story of carroll shelbys americanbritish. The shelby american original archives 1962 1965 by dave friedman hdbd. Many thanks for all the assets your site brings to help a cobra owner to properly market and sell his cobra your reach to shelby cobra enthusiasts is. The snake that conquered the world collectors by colin comer, carroll shelby isbn. Aug 03, 2018 introduction a brief history of the shelby cobra the motto of the australian special air service regiment is who dares wins. This book by rinsey mills tells the fascinating history of csx2300 which took part in five championship rounds one in 1964, four in 1965 and played its part in shelby americans unique team success. Ffr is now the largest cobra replica manufacturer in the world. For the 50th anniversary of the daytonas title, we spoke with a few of the players.
Designed as a corvettekiller it was one of the fastest cars available at the time. A revised and enlarged version of the cobra story, covering the cobra s successes in 1965 and 1966, as well as including technical specifications for the 289 and 427 cobras. Any early racing history by either ascough or fryes is unknown, but in 1972, noted cobra and gt40 collector les lindley of anaheim. A new book telling the story of the the first three shelby cobras, is being released. The book is loaded with sidebars, which spice the book with people instrumental in assisting shelby and cobra into history. Beginning with a prologue about the events that led up to shelbys decision to build a highperformance sports car, the main portion of the book tells the history of the production cobra street cars and race cars, ending with an epilogue about the continuation cars. Shelby cobra daytona coupe tells the fascinating history of the daytona coupe version of carroll shelbys fabled cobra with special focus on one of the six cars built. In 1965, the cobras captured the world manufacturers championship.
The story of carroll shelby and the shelby cobra is a story of a man who dared, and created a car that won the hearts and minds of sports car fans all around the world. This is the fourth book in the exceptional cars series. For fanatics of all things shelby, a new hardcover book is coming offering a fresh perspective on the life and projects of the american icon driver and marketing man carroll shelby. After its completion, legendary shelby photographer dave friedman recognized csx2416 as more than just another cobra and photographed it in front of shelbys office at 3221 carter st. To drum up interest, shelby showcased the cobra in a variety of ways, including in multiple magazine articles and with prime placement in the ford motor company exhibit at the 1962 new york auto show cobras dominated the racetracks of america. While csx2075 was slated to be the first 289 cobra by the production order, the first customer to actually get a 289 cobra got csx2044. The shelby cobra was originally built using the chassis and. Carroll hall shelby was an american automotive designer, racing driver, entrepreneur, and author. When not writing about cars, colin is an avid vintage racer and pilot. Nor is it simply a reference book for cobra enthusiasts.
Truly one of the great cars, the shelby cobra daytona coupe is a most worthy addition to this acclaimed series of books. Carroll shelby in the first cobra carroll shelby is pictured in the first cobra built, csx2000. The shelby american racing team, working with ford and led by carroll shelby, achieved impressive results in the mid 1960s with numerous factory sponsored cars and drivers. From carroll shelbys start in sports car racing, to his dream of building a worldclass sports car, to the impact the cobra had on the motoring world that is stronger than. The men first met in iacoccas dearborn office in the spring of 1962. Let us know what you think of the shelby cobra history in the comments. Shelby cobra is a complete history of shelbys cobra sports cars. The book is a revised and enlarged version of the cobra story. Whether youre looking at a shelby mustang or a cobra mustang, its been established that theyll represent the pinnacle of mustang performance. Comer is the author of the critically acclaimed books shelby mustang 50 years, the complete book of shelby automobiles, shelby cobra fifty years, and coauthor of the allamerican muscle car. The shelby built cars and teams won championships in 1966 and 1967. Download pdf shelby cobra free online new books in politics.
The shelby series 1 roadster is the only car ever designed by carroll shelby from a blank sheet of paper. The story of three cars, the first ac cobras created by the legendary carroll shelby in 1962. Over 50 books with majority signed by just about everyone who had anything to do with the cobra. As such, the daytona was mechanically identical to shelby s cobra roadster, complete with a 289 ford v8. Aug 14, 2015 as such, the daytona was mechanically identical to shelby s cobra roadster, complete with a 289 ford v8. In 1961 carroll shelby took a dated ac ace sports car and installed a ford v8 engine with a borgwarner t10 fourspeed transmission. In 2014, shelby american announced a limited edition production of 50 cars for the 50th anniversary of the original 427 shelby cobra. If you like sports car you will be enjoy with this book. In the wake of this loss comes this special collectors edition of shelby cobra 50 years, shelby cobra.
Carroll hall shelby american racecar driver and builder. The last shelby cobra my times with carroll shelby author. We did a search for other books with a similar title, and found some results for. The photo later appeared on page 86 of friedmans book, shelby cobra. Shelby cobra fifty years is not only a complete history and celebration of shelbys cobra, but also about the people that made it great and have kept the legend alive. Mar, 2016 pete brock is one of the icons of american automotive engineering, hes probably most famous for designing the shelby cobra daytona but he also holds the distinction of being the youngest designer ever hired by gm at just 19. May 06, 2020 carroll hall shelby, american racecar driver and builder born jan. The shelby american original archives, 19621965, and on page 20 of colin comers the complete book of shelby automobiles. The original cobra 427 was made from 1965 to 1967 and in that period shelby produced 348 copies.
Uptown shelby association 211 south trade street shelby, north carolina 28150 704 4843100. If you have any interest in shelby cobras, then read this book. Carroll shelby the lost interview ford v ferrari le. Team victories also included the famous ford gt40 123 finish at le mans in 1966. The shelby mustang is a highperformance variant of the ford mustang which was built by shelby american from 1965 to 1968, and from 1969 to 1970 by ford. Cobras, mustangs, and super snakes details all of shelby s automotive creations, from the first cobras and mustang gt350s of the 1960s through the oneoff race cars to the very latest mustangs shelby produces today. Shelby cobra library, books and literature for sale. The movie ford v ferrari focuses on his involvement with the 24 hours of le mans where he won the race outright with codriver roy salvadori driving an aston martin in 1959. From carroll shelby s start in sports car racing, to his dream of building a worldclass sports car, to the impact the cobra had on the motoring world that is stronger than. Sources in the cobra brand and history confirm this.
He was born to race some of the fastest cars ever to tear up a speedway. Shelby cobra fifty years is a complete history of shelbys cobra sports cars. Ford ii, the greatgrandson of henry ford, this is the definitive record of americas preeminent twentieth century sports car builder. Includes such signatures as carroll shelby, dan gurney, and at. He carried out extensive research and conducted numerous interviews, fully capturing the narrative of carroll shelby within and outside of the automotive racing world. Shelby cobra fifty years is a complete history of shelby s cobra sports cars. Mickeys story is one about risk, and not at all about playing it. The carroll shelby story is a memoir by carroll shelby published in 1967 by pocket books.
The ford shelby cobra concept was a continuation of fords effort to bring back the retro sports cars that had been successful in the 1960s, including the ford gt40 and the fifth generation ford mustang. And for that reason its an exceedingly important automobile, even though just 249 were built before the factory ceased production. Shelby cobra fifty years is not only a complete history and celebration of shelby s cobra, but also about the people that made it great and have kept the legend alive. His autobiography, the carroll shelby story, was published in 1967. Carroll shelby had become one of the greatest race car drivers of all time culminating with his1959 victory in the 24 hours of le mans. The ac cobra is a hybrid american sportscar consisting of a british roadster with an american engine and transmission.
The most expensive shelby cobras ever sold reincarnation. Before he starting to race professionally and won the 24 hours of le mans, carroll shelby had a dream to create his own sports cars under his personal name. Following the introduction of the fifth generation ford mustang in 2005, the shelby nameplate was revived as a new highperformance model, this time designed and built by ford. The first three shelby cobras the sports cars that changed the. History of the shelby cobra shelby cobra hemmings motor news. Shelby cobra fifty yearsthe complete book of shelby automobiles two beautifully illustrated, wellresearched and interestingtoread books by shelby whiz kid, cobra dealer, cobra owner and author colin comer. New book tells the tale of the original shelby cobras. To drum up interest, shelby showcased the cobra in a variety of ways, including in multiple magazine articles and with prime placement in the ford motor company exhibit at the 1962 new york auto show. New book tells the tale of the original shelby cobras uk. The shelby cobra was originally built using the chassis and body of the british ac ace sports car, and a ford v8 to create the legendary angloamerican car.
Shortly after its publication, carroll shelby and phil remingtonthe two most important men behind the shelby cobra passed away. Most of the 427s have been produced as street cars 260 examples but shelby offered a competition package for owners with racing aspirations and semicompetition package for people who wanted a street car which they could race from time to time. Ac cobra simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Beginning with a prologue about the events that led up to shelby s decision to build a highperformance sports car, the main portion of the book tells the history of the production cobra street cars and race cars, ending with an epilogue about the continuation cars. This book by rinsey mills tells the fascinating history of csx2300 which took part in five championship rounds one in 1964, four in 1965 and. While still a relatively unknown driver shelby envisioned wh. The racing log books of csx3195, and related documents, tell the story of a 427 cobra originally driven as a street car. The exciting new feature film ford v ferrari starring matt damon as shelby and christian bale as fellow racer ken miles immortalizes the smalltown texas boy who won the notorious le mans 24hour endurance challenge and changed the face of auto racing with the legendary shelby cobra. Shelby cobra 427 by 1963, the cobra was subject to its first major design refresh mark ii and in 1965, a new chassis was designed mark iii for what would become the platform for the cobra 427. This fascinating 66 cobra includes over thirty years of receipts, racing log books, magazine articles, pictures, and related. But just as reached the top his doctor told him he had to. From carroll shelby s start in sports car racing, to his dream of building a worldclass sports car.
Many details and wonderful pictures in this book one of my preferred. Ac 427 shelby cobra csx3357 titles, records, and ownership history. Beginning with a prologue about the events that led up to shelby s decision to build a highperformance sports car, the main portion of the book tells the history of the production cobra. Shelby cobra, the snake that conquered the world by colin comer. Hard work and a few lucky breaks along the way had helped him achieve his goal. In 2004, at the north american international auto show in detroit, ford unveiled a concept for a modernized ac cobra. In 2011, shelby enthusiast colin comer wrote shelby cobra 50 years. The last shelby cobra by chris theodore reincarnation. Designed as a corvette killer it was one of the fastest. Carroll shelby is pictured in the first cobra built, csx2000. Its very informative and thoroughly covers the history of the cobra including several great interviews. The story of the shelby cobra daytona told by pete brock.
The racing log books of csx3195, and related documents, tell the story of a 427. Carroll developed the series 1 as a modern version of the original shelby cobra, although the fact that he was free to design the car as well as the. Most of the 427s have been produced as street cars 260 examples but shelby offered a competition package for owners with racing aspirations and semicompetition package for people who wanted a street car which they could race from time. Shelby cobra colin comer, foreword by carroll shelby. The highly acclaimed shelby cobra fifty years is comers third book and proves what we all knew. The ultimate guide to cobra kit car manufacturers diy ford.