Carroll Shelby, R.I.P.

Legendary racer and car designer Carroll Shelby passed away this last Thursday, May 10 at the age of 89.  Although I don’t intend to completely cover the story since many of the major new outlets such as the Washington Post have written lengthy articles about the life of this man, I do have a few things I wanted to say.

Shelby, most famous for the Shelby Mustangs & Shelby Cobra, is one of my automotive heroes.  The 4th Generation Ford Mustang (1994-98) was the first car I fell in love with.  The Mustang wouldn’t be the Mustang without Carroll Shelby, because Carroll Shelby created the muscle car.  His 1962 Shelby Cobra creation is still one of the revered cars ever produced.  And the 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350s gave the public the opportunity to have their own street-legal racecars.

Shelby helped and influenced many in the armed forces, auto industry, and raised millions for charity.  And by sheer coincidence last Friday I got to cruise up and down Woodward Ave. in one of his final & finest masterpieces: a 1-of-7, white, 750 HP, 2007 Ford Mustang GT500 Super Snake.

Words can’t really describe what it feels like to be tossed around in this beast… Thank you Shelby.