Carroll Shelby

[REAL 1]

The Americans down play the AC role.

The Brits down play the Shelby role.

I think we Yanks got it right unless you count Ken Miles.

Cheerio.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

The Americans down play the AC role.

The Brits down play the Shelby role.

I think we Yanks got it right unless you count Ken Miles.

Cheerio.

Without Shelby the AC would have suffered the fate of the Berkeley. Without AC Shelby would have faded into oblivion. It was a very symbiotic relationship.

And you're right about Ken Miles.

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

The Americans down play the AC role.

The Brits down play the Shelby role.

I think we Yanks got it right unless you count Ken Miles.

Cheerio.

What about Ford?!?

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by saturnkk

What about Ford?!?

For that part of the story read AJ Baime's Go Like Hell.

[REAL 1]

I think you underestimate Shelby. We will never know though.

Ford played an instrumental role in the success of SAI and the Cobra. Not well publicized but real none the less.

[B.M.B.C]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

There are many here well read on Caroll Shelby and I take no sides on this debate of the good vs. the bad. The man's character is what it was, and those elements of it (whether you view them as good or bad), is probably what it took to birth the Cobra. For example, many view George S. Patton as a social failure and total a-hole, but if you're going to war, who are you going to send in? Ok, you get it - be happy the man lived, otherwise you would probably be another run-of-the-mill vette owner

But, I also believe some have gotten the short end of the stick with the Cobra story. Yes, Shelby had the vision - but he did not do this on his own. Very little is said about the talent involved across the pond from AC, the genius behind the chassis and body design. I would like to know who those gifted people were - no easy feat to put massive power to the road in a good handling package with sex appeal off the charts. Who were these men from AC lost in the Shelby shadow, they deserve some light of there own.

Alan Turner was chief engineer at AC Cars very rarely does he get mentioned on either side of the pond. I'm sure there was several other un named people that wrenched on the prototype cars back in the 60s.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by B.M.B.C

Alan Turner was chief engineer at AC Cars very rarely does he get mentioned on either side of the pond. I'm sure there was several other un named people that wrenched on the prototype cars back in the 60s.

BMBC that's what I was curious about, WikipediA says Turner was responsible for the re-design of the early cars to accomodate rack and pinion. I'm sure more to the man than that, AC's racing history is not trivial. Found this Shelby Timeline via a European forum/enthusiast? Can't vouch for the accuracy of what is said here so I'll let the experts refute if they feel a need. The AC COBRA history

Note the fine print at the top ...
Written by Jerry Heasley with thanks to Rick Kopeck and the Shelby American Automobile Club for their help in providing the historic information presented here as well as Carroll Shelby who added points never before published. Used by permission of Carroll Shelby: Carroll Shelby - An American Icon

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

I say, "Buy it!" It's a smooth read with a lot of fun stories---even in just the little bit I've read so far. I'll be referring back to it for anecdotes, no doubt.

As for "authorized" I'd like to think Shelby would read the unseemly moments and think, "Well, $#it, that's pretty much what happened..." but only Shelby and perhaps Rinsey could answer that.

Oh, another tidbit: That whole, "left the chicken farm in a hurry to get to the races so he showed up in his farmer overalls" story? Not true, according to the "authorized biography". But I'll let you guys read that one for yourself.

Cheers,
DD

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words
Vale Carroll Shelby - Texas chicken farmer, racer, philanthropist, automotive entrepreneur

[REAL 1]

Vast majority of the performance engineering came from SAI and Ford.

[Dangerous Doug]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words
Vale Carroll Shelby - Texas chicken farmer, racer, philanthropist, automotive entrepreneur

You'll have to read Rinsey Mill's book. The chicken farm failed long before he got into any real racing. Yes, he wore the overalls---because they were cooler (thermally...) than anything else---but it appears the rush to leave chicken farm to catch a race car seat is merely legend.

DD