Shelby Cobra, Mustang and Supersnake: Illustrated History Books & Guides

Shelby Cobras CSX 2001 - CSX 2125 - The Definitive Chassis-by-Chassis History of the Mark I Production Cars

Between 1961 and 1962, Carroll Shelby transformed a British sports car into the Cobra, which went on to win the 1965 World Manufacturers GT Championship for Shelby American. Today, the Cobra remains one of the most recognized cars worldwide.

This two-volume book details the development of the first production Ford-powered AC Ace 3.6 roadsters, now known as the Mark I Leaf Spring Cobras. It offers hundreds of fascinating stories about the people and the cars, appealing to both experienced enthusiasts and newcomers - especially those who had the foresight to acquire these vehicles.

The author has researched all 125 Mark I Cobras and conducted hundreds of interviews with those connected to them. This effort uncovered unknown histories, facts, and rare photographs and documents.

While much of the Cobra's success is credited to Carroll Shelby and his team at Shelby American, a significant part is owed to the skilled craftsmen at AC Cars in the 1960s. Except for the Ford engine and transmission, the Mark I Cobra was hand-built in England by artisans. This collaboration between American power and British craftsmanship resulted in one of the most iconic sports cars ever made.

Product details

Author:	Robert D. Walker
Details:	1060 pages, 11 x 9.1 x 3.19 in (28 x 23 x 8.1 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	1569 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Dalton Watson Fine Books (USA, 2022)
ISBN:	9781854433114

The last Shelby Cobra: My times with Carroll Shelby

Carroll Shelby, the famous racing driver, team owner, and creator of the Shelby Cobra, Daytona, and Mustang GT350, is widely admired by car enthusiasts. However, little attention has been given to the last 25 years of his life. During this period, Chris Theodore, a senior executive at Chrysler and Ford, formed a close personal friendship with Shelby.

This book tells the story of the many vehicles they developed together, including the Viper, Ford GT, Shelby Cobra Concept, Shelby GR1, and Shelby GT500. It offers an insider view of Shelby's return to Ford and the complex five-year effort to place the Shelby name on a Ford production car.

The author shares new insights and previously untold stories about Shelby's strong character, drive, interests, and several unpublished projects he worked on until his death. The book also covers their final unfinished project, the Super Snake II Cobra, and the unexpected events that allowed the author to acquire "Daisy, " the last Shelby Cobra. For his admirers, Carroll Shelby truly was "the most interesting man in the world."

Product details

Author:	Chris Theodore
Details:	160 pages, 9.8 x 8.1 x 0.43 in (25 x 20.5 x 1.1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2021)
ISBN:	9781787117501

1968 Shelby Mustang GT350, GT500 and GT500 KR (Muscle Cars in Detail)

This volume of CarTech's Muscle Cars In Detail series covers the 1968 Shelby GT350, GT500, and GT500 KR. In 1968, Ford took over much of the production process for Shelby Mustangs and increased production to meet sales demand, marking a transition year.

To appeal to muscle car fans rather than race fans, the cars shifted from a race car feel to high-end performance road cars, offering options like 428 Cobra Jet engines, automatic transmissions, and air conditioning. They evolved from sports cars to exceptional muscle cars.

Each volume in the "In Detail Series" includes an introduction and historical overview, an explanation of the design and concepts, a look at marketing and promotion, and an in-depth study of all hardware and options. It also examines the car's current market status and includes paint and option codes, VIN and build tag decoders, and production numbers.

Product details

Author:	Greg Kolasa
Details:	96 pages, 9.1 x 8.25 in (23 x 21 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	130 color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	CarTech Inc (USA, 2017)
Series:	Muscle Cars in Detail (3)
ISBN:	9781613252925

Shelby American Up Close and Behind the Scenes - The Venice Years 1962-1965

In 1962, retired racing legend Carroll Shelby sought his next venture. He had started a racing school at Riverside Raceway in California but aspired to build his own sports and racing car. He found a promising platform in the British AC Ace and installed an American V-8 engine, creating the Shelby Cobra.

Shelby established his workshop in Venice, California, later in 1962, marking the start of the classic Cobra era. This period saw a remarkable blend of talented designers, rapid car development, championship-winning teams and drivers, and bold innovation. The Venice shop produced the 289 Cobra, Daytona Coupe, 427 Cobra, Mustang GT350, Sunbeam Tiger, and more.
Eventually, the facility could not handle the workload, especially when Ford enlisted Shelby to develop a high-performance version of its successful Mustang. Moving to a larger facility and closer ties with Ford somewhat diluted the original spirit.

This book explores the Venice shop during the crucial 1962-1965 period. Author and photographer Dave Friedman, Shelby's official photographer, documented everything from Cobra construction to race wins. It offers an insider's view through Friedman's photos and firsthand accounts from Shelby's key players. This book is essential for understanding this pivotal period in Shelby's history and American racing.

Product details

Author:	Dave Friedman
Details:	240 pages, 10.25 x 12.8 x 1.06 in (26 x 32.5 x 2.7 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200 b&w and 100 color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Motorbooks International (USA, 2017)
ISBN:	9780760351987

The First Three Shelby Cobras : The Sports Cars That Changed the Game (Exceptional Cars)

This book, the fourth in the Exceptional Cars series, tells the story of the first three AC Cobras created by Carroll Shelby in 1962. The prototype, CSX2000, is considered "the most important modern American car, " built on a British AC Ace chassis with an American Ford V8 engine. CSX2001 was the first production Cobra, and CSX2002 was the first to race, leading to many competition successes that made Shelby's Cobras famous worldwide.

- CSX2000, the only prototype, was kept by the Shelby family until 2016, when it sold at auction for a record $13.75 million.
- CSX2001, the first production car, was delivered to American race driver Ed Hugus and later sold to Frenchman Jean-Marie Vincent, who raced it in the Tour de France and various European hillclimbs.
- CSX2002 nearly won its first race at Riverside, driven by Bill Krause, but was sidelined by a broken rear hub. Dave MacDonald secured the first Cobra win with this car at Tucson in March 1963.

Pages of the book "The First Three Shelby Cobras : The Sports Cars That Changed the Game"

All three cars are now prized possessions in U.S. collections. CSX2000 and CSX2002 are part of the Larry Miller Collection, while CSX2001 belongs to California-based motorsport enthusiast Bruce Meyer. The book features a rich mix of period and contemporary images, many previously unseen.

Product details

Author:	Gordon Bruce
Details:	128 pages, 9.8 x 11.4 x 0.75 in (25 x 29 x 1.9 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	120+ b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Porter Press International (GB, 2017)
ISBN:	9781907085550

Carroll Shelby: The Authorized Biography

Motoring author Rinsey Mills' passion for AC cars and motorsports history led to his first meeting with Carroll Shelby. Initially, Shelby rebuffed Mills' suggestion to collaborate on an accurate record of his life and achievements, but later embraced the idea enthusiastically. This authorized biography is the result, featuring fascinating photographs from Shelby's personal collection.

Mills left no stone unturned in his quest to produce a complete study of Shelby's remarkable life. He conducted extensive research and numerous interviews, capturing Shelby's narrative within and outside the automotive racing world, including his:
- Childhood in Texas
- Wartime service with the Army Air Force
- Postwar entrepreneurship
- Earliest race wins in 1952
- Legendary 1959 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Release of the first Cobra and formation of Shelby American in 1962
- Long-lasting partnership with Ford
- Personal interests and travels
- Present-day legacy

Product details

Author:	Rinsey Mills
Details:	552 pages, 9.25 x 6.3 x 1.26 in (23.5 x 16 x 3.2 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	illustrated
Language:	English
Publisher:	Motorbooks International (USA, 2014)
ISBN:	9780760346464

The Shelby American Story

Le Mans winner Carroll Shelby was one of the best American drivers in the 1950s. Unfortunately, his racing career ended after the 1960 season due to a heart condition.

Shelby, always interested in car design and construction, created the successful Cobra, followed by the King Cobra, Cobra Daytona Coupe, and Shelby Mustangs. His company, Shelby American, won the World Manufacturers Championship in 1965. Leading the Ford GT program, he achieved victories at Le Mans, Sebring, and Daytona.

This book covers both the triumphs and tragedies, profiling key figures such as Mario Andretti, Phil Hill, Ken Miles, Dan Gurney, and many others.

Product details

Author:	Art Evans
Details:	128 pages, 8.7 x 11 x 0.43 in (22 x 28 x 1.1 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Iconografix (USA, 2010)
ISBN:	9780979721939

Cobra and Shelby Mustang 1962-2007 Photo Archive - Including Prototypes and Clones

In recent years, interest in Shelby-American cars has surged. Good Shelbys are becoming increasingly rare, and their values are rising significantly. With only about 1.000 A.C. Cobras made, they are nearly impossible to find. Consequently, replicas have emerged, and there is intense competition among replica owners to create the most faithful reproductions.

This book not only showcases the originals but also highlights the creativity of replica Shelby and Cobra owners in modifying their cars to capture the spirit of the originals. It also includes the replica Cobras and Shelbys sold by Shelby himself.

Any enthusiast who reads this book will be inspired by the spirit and enthusiasm that characterized the Shelby-American plant from 1962 to 1967 - a period when they rose from obscurity to lasting fame. The book also covers Ford's 2007 Shelby Mustang GT500, developed with Carroll Shelby as a consultant.

Product details

Author:	Wallace A. Wyss
Details:	128 pages, 8.7 x 10.25 x 0.39 in (22 x 26 x 1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	230 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Iconografix (USA, 2007)
ISBN:	9781583881989

Shelby: the Man, the Cars, the Legend (2nd Edition)

This updated and expanded edition provides deep insight into the life of Carroll Hall Shelby, from his humble beginnings as the son of a rural Texas postman to his death in 2012.

The updates include 16 additional pages of photos, updated information, larger text, a 50-question Shelby trivia quiz, a new foreword by Bob Bondurant, and coverage of Mustangs through 2013.

Discover the detailed stories only an unauthorized biography can offer.

Product details

Author:	Wallace A. Wyss
Details:	320 pages, 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.63 in (23 x 15.5 x 1.6 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	78 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Iconografix (USA, 2007)
ISBN:	9781583881828

Shelby Cobra (1962-1969) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book featuring Shelby Cobra models from the years 1962-1969. Describes the Shelby Cobra 260, 289, 427, 427SC, BOSS 351, Daytona and Autokraft Mk IV.

• The 37 period articles, brought together from leading British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and engineering.
• Also driving impressions, original road tests, comparison tests, technical data, etc.

More information about Brooklands Portfolio books

Product details

Details:	180 pages, 10.6 x 7.9 x 0.39 in (27 x 20 x 1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	350 photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 1992)
Series:	Gold Portfolio
ISBN:	9781855200234

Shelby Mustang

When Ford wanted to strengthen the position of its new Mustang, it asked Carroll Shelby to provide the necessary sports credibility. Using a 1965 Mustang fastback with a "Code K" 289 ci (4.7 liters) engine, Shelby applied the recipe that made the Cobra successful: more power, less weight, and better handling.

The GT 350 quickly became a serious competitor in American and European races, on winding roads and straight lines. Genuine Shelby Mustangs stopped being produced in 1970, but in 2006, Ford and Shelby resumed their collaboration to create new high-performance Mustang Shelbys.

This book traces the complete history of these cars, from the first prototypes made in Shelby's workshop in Los Angeles to the current models produced by Ford with the most advanced technologies. Illustrated with old and new photos, in black and white and color, this book will appeal to Mustang and motorsport enthusiasts.

Product details

Author:	Colin Comer
Details:	240 pages, 12 x 9.8 in (30.5 x 25 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	250 b&w and color photos
Language:	French
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2020)
ISBN:	9791028304010

Shelby: Cobra - Mustang - GT40 ...

Carroll Shelby, the Texan racing driver and businessman who passed away in 2012, dedicated his life to building performance cars and creating icons. He is known for the legendary Cobra, the Ford Mustang's robust image as an American sports car, and challenging Ferrari with the GT40.

Pages of the book "Shelby: Cobra - Mustang - GT40 ..."

But did you know about the Sunbeam Tiger, the Viper connection, the Cooper Monaco "King Cobra, " or the Talbot Horizon, which competed with the Golf GTI in the USA as the Shelby Dodge? Shelby also transformed the Toyota 2000GT into a racing car.
Read the captivating story and enjoy fantastic photos spanning more than five decades.

Product details

Author:	Colin Comer
Details:	256 pages, 11.6 x 10.25 x 1.38 in (29.5 x 26 x 3.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	350 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Heel-Verlag GmbH (D, 2013)
ISBN:	9783868528107