Shelby Cobra, Mustang and Supersnake: books - history

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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