[JWilly]

I was in high school (I graduated in 1965) about the time Carroll Shelby was wreaking havoc in the car world. I grew up poor as a snake in the rural South and the only exposure I had to the Cobra was through magazines (e.g., Motor Trend, Hot Rod). BTW, I still have the copies of those mags that contain the Cobra road tests. There was no one anywhere near me that had a Cobra. In fact, I saw my first original Cobra, just a few years ago. But I spent hours reading and re-reading those articles. I thought the Cobra was, without a doubt, the coolest car ever made. As an adult, there would be occasional conversations in which the exploits of the Shelby Cobra was the topic but I had pretty much given up on ever even seeing one, much less owning anything that resembled a Cobra. When I was in my 50’s, I attended a car show that had a SPF replica on display. This was the first I knew of replica Cobras. At that show, they let me sit in the car and I was hooked. A few years later I purchased an SPF. Later, I decided I wanted something that had Carroll Shelby’s name on it and purchased a CSX 4000/6000 series car. Now, I am ready to retire. I worried for years that since I had no hobby, how can I make my retirement fun and meaningful? These cars are a part of the answer to that question. Even though I do not have and cannot afford an original Cobra, the Shelby Cobra has enriched my life in ways I never could have imagined. I have dozens of friends and have had innumerable great times I would not have had without these cars. I am really glad Carroll Shelby produced the coolest car ever made.