Carroll Shelby - The Authorized Biography

[69hurstSC]

For those of you looking for a compelling read while sitting behind your collector car at a show this summer look no further. Carroll Shelby - The Authorized Biography

[442w30]

Do you think he'll sue the publisher for using his name on the title?

[69hurstSC]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you think he'll sue the publisher for using his name on the title? </div></div>

No.

[Charley Lillard]

Unless he thinks he can win.

[rubbinisracing]

A better read might be &quot;The Unauthorized Biography.&quot;

[69hurstSC]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rubbinisracing</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A better read might be &quot;The Unauthorized Biography.&quot; </div></div>

Have at it, I hope your lawyers are on standby LOL. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img]

[427TJ]

So why do we bash ol'Shel? What did he do that makes people start firing away within a post or two?

[Charley Lillard]

I'm a member of the Shelby club that was started by Shelby fans. They were instrumental in making Shelby cars as collectable as they are today. Shelby did a hostile takeover of the club several years ago. Basically the club ran out of money to defend themselves. My impression is he would do a hostile takeover of anything he thought he could win. I have bumper stickers that say &quot;Honk if you are being sued by Carroll&quot;. I'm not sure I have ever heard what a great guy he is. I have two of his cars but don't care for the guy as a human being. A few years ago I think it was said that almost none of his Children's foundation money had ever gone to the children. Alot of it went to overhead, airline flights etc. He said he was saving it up so there would be a big enough fund to where it would be self supporting. I hope that is true. If he does that for the kids I will feel differently about him.

[bergy]

I have owned and enjoyed several of his '60s cars over the years. In fact, I just got an original black '66 GT350. I did help support the club in it's legal battle - so I'm not a huge fan of Carroll's (that fact probably doesn't keep him up at night). He has, however, accomplished a lot in life, both on and off of the track, and this book is a good read. One of the reasons that his cars are so collectable is because of the <span style="text-decoration: underline">public</span> Shelby Registry. Have I ever mentioned that we should consider doing that for COPOs?

[427TJ]

Interesting. Sounds like he is a hard-nosed businessman who protects his (very valuable) name against real or perceived damage and/or unauthorized profiteering? What did Shelby claim the club was doing that he needed to sue over? (Please attach a link to any previous threads if this has been hashed over before.) As for the foundation, I read years ago that much of the United Way's money also goes to corporate jets, expensive executives, overhead, etc. Probably a great way to make money while evading harsh scrutiny. I did get to stand there and take pictures for Xplantdad (Bruce) while he introduced his daughter to Mr. Shelby at B-J 2007 and it was awesome standing that close to automotive greatness. I first learned what a Shelby was when I was a 6-year old kid and my dentist bought a new '68 GT350 (white, blue rocker stripes, no over-car stripes, mag wheelcovers) so having Mr. Shelby walk up and stand a foot away was pretty cool.