Shelby

Shelby | CAR REVIEW | Shelby or Carroll Shelby International was founded in 2003 from custom performance vehicle manufacturer Shelby American when, founder and owner, Carroll Shelby took the company public, and additionally forming Shelby Automobiles as a subsidiary from which to continue manufacturing vehicles and parts.

Shelby GT-350, 2010

In 2009, "Shelby Automobiles" was officially renamed to "Shelby American", bringing back the original company name to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the 427 Cobra and GT350. Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc. is the second wholly owned subsidiary that forms Carroll Shelby International, which is based at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Clark County, Nevada.

Shelby GT-500 Super Snake, 2010

Shelby American currently manufacturers component automobiles, including the small block Cobra, the big block Cobra, the Shelby GT350 and the GT500 Super Snake. Since 2005, Shelby American has been releasing new models every year.

Shelby GT-350-SR, 1969

Shelby or Carroll Shelby International was previously working with Texas-based Unique Performance to create new Mustang-based Shelby cars such as the GT350SR and GT500E. On November 1, 2007, Unique Performance was raided by the Farmers Branch Police Department due to VIN irregularities and subsequently declared bankruptcy, which effectively ended the Shelby continuation "Eleanor" production and the relationship.

Shelby 427 Cobra, 1967

Shelby American was founded by Carroll Shelby in 1962 to build and market high performance parts and modified cars for individuals. Some of the automobiles produced by Shelby American were the Ford Mustang-based Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500. Shelby American also created the legendary Shelby Cobra which was an AC Ace with a Ford V8.

Shelby 427 Cobra

The company was also highly involved with racing, with Shelby cars winning many races at the drag strip, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and America's first win at the World Manufacturers' Championship. In 1966, the same year that Shelby American helped Ford Motor Company land America's the World Manufacturers' Championship, Shelby American also provided support to Ford for their successful campaign to win the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Shelby CSX-4000, 1965

Shelby American moved in 1995 to Nevada becoming the first automobile manufacturer in Nevada and began production. The line included:

• 427 S/C Cobras


• CSX1000-series British Made Frames and Aluminum Bodies (of modern production)


• CSX4000-series Various Manufacturers , Fibreglass and Aluminum bodywork available


• CSX6000-series Continuation of the CSX4000 Series


• CSX7000-series 289 FIA Cobra Roadster


• CSX8000-series 289 Street Car


• CSX9000-series Shelby Cobra "Daytona" Coupe , Released in 2009.

Shelby Cobra 289 FIA Roadster

In 2003, the company name was changed to "Carroll Shelby International, Inc." from "Shelby American" and it was taken public. Shelby Automobiles was also created as a subsidiary and manufacturing arm of the new company.

Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe

On December 15, 2009, Carroll Shelby International announced in a press release that Shelby Automobiles was being renamed to "Shelby American" in celebration of the 45th anniversary of 427 Cobra and GT350. - CAR REVIEW

Shelby

Shelby Cobra

Shelby Cobra | Car Review | The Shelby Cobra, also known colloquially as the Shelby Cobra in North America, is an Anglo-American sports car that was produced during the 1960s. Like many British specialist manufacturers, Shelby Cars had been using the smooth, refined Bristol straight-6 engine in its small-volume production, including its Shelby Ace 2-seater roadster.

Shelby-Cobra CSX2000

This had a hand-built body with a steel tube frame, and aluminium body panels that were made using English wheeling machines. The engine was a pre-World War II design of BMW which by the 1960s was considered dated. Bristol decided in 1961 to cease production of its engine and instead to use Chrysler 331 cid (5.4 L) V8 engines. Although untrue, it is commonly believed that Shelby was left without a future source of power and that American ex-racing driver Carroll Shelby saved the company from bankruptcy. Shelby started using the 2.6 litre Ford Zephyr engine in its cars. 

Shelby Cobra 1965

In September 1961, Shelby airmailed Shelby a letter asking them if they would build him a car modified to accept a V8 engine. Shelby agreed, provided a suitable engine could be found. He first went to Chevrolet to see if they would provide him with engines, but not wanting to add competition to the Corvette they said no. Ford however, wanted a car that could compete with the Corvette and they happened to have a brand new thin-wall small-block engine which could be used in this endeavor. It was Ford's 260 in³ HiPo (4.2 L) engine – a new lightweight, thin-wall cast small-block V8 tuned for high performance. Ford provided Shelby with two 260ci engines. 

Shelby Cobra 1969

In January 1962 mechanics at Shelby Cars in Thames Ditton, Surrey fitted the prototype chassis CSX0001 with a 260ci Ford V8; the 221ci was never sent. However, early engineering drawings were titled "Shelby Ace 3.6". After testing and modification, the engine and transmission were removed and the chassis was air-freighted to Shelby in Los Angeles on 2 February 1962. His team fitted it with an engine and transmission in less than eight hours at Dean Moon's shop in Santa Fe Springs, California, and began road-testing. - CAR REVIEW

Shelby Cobra