Carroll Shelby - The Authorized Biography

[old5.0]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69hurstSC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow!! It appears your blanket statement should be reconsidered. From the sounds of it he's been a hero to many.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: old5.0</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Good for him and all, but let's not pretend he's some sort of hero. </div></div> </div></div>

You're right, that was a very broad statement. I have no intention to retract it, but I will clarify it.

I have not and will not speak to Shelby's charity efforts because, simply, I know nothing about them. Others have raised concerns, and that's their prerogative. I do, on the other hand, have strong opinions on his treatment of enthusiast groups (i.e. SAAC), to whom the man owes at least a modicum of gratitude.

Eber and Kopec worked for years creating the sort of documentation framework that most owner groups ask Santa to bring them for Christmas. But the efforts of the club with regard to the vintage cars is well documented, and won't be repeated here. There is, however, more to the story.

I feel with absolute conviction that the current horsepower race, as well as the state of modern &quot;street car&quot; drag racing is directly attributable to the 5.0 Mustang. I'm sure many will disagree, and that's fine, but I feel the facts back it up. In it's heyday, it was a grassroots movement without equal, before or since, and it was nurtured to life by a relatively small group of street racers, magazine writers, and factory engineers, a few of whom had cut their teeth street racing on Woodward Ave. And, whether by extraordinary foresight or sheer dumb luck, SAAC was right in the middle of the growing maelstrom. I remember, as a car obsessed high schooler, recognizing and appreciating the connection between Shelby and the SAAC cars. And I have no doubt that more than a handful of young guys like myself were drawn to learn more about SAAC, and by extension Shelby, after watching SAAC XD-1 make yet another 8 second, 170+ mph pass in Pro5.0 competition.

While all of the above was happening, Carroll was... doing what, exactly? And now, 20 years later, we seem to have come full circle. Shelby is selling cars whose existence is due, in large part, to a very small group of individuals with the vision to know a good thing when they saw it, of whom Eber and Kopec were were two. The 2005-present Shelby GT500s are incredible cars, but they would have been equally incredible had they simply remained SVT Cobras.

I'll reiterate my statement. Carroll never cared about cars; Carroll cared about making money. I don't begrudge the man a dime of it; indeed, if I can achieve a quarter of what he has in the world of business, I'll consider my life a success. In the 60's, he saw an opportunity and struck while the iron was hot, and I admire him for that. But, insofar as we all love cars for what they are (even though we all have our favorites), I don't believe Carroll was ever &quot;one of us&quot;.

Bergy was correct in his observation that there are two sides to every story. My side is that Shelby's treatment of SAAC was shabby at best. Carroll built the cars, but SAAC kept his legacy and name relevant years after the last vintage Shelby Mustang was sold, much as this club has done for the Yenko cars. And we haven't even delved into the &quot;lost&quot; CSX4000 cars.

No, I'll stand by my statement. As far as his automotive exploits go, particularly over the past quarter century, he's no hero.

[427TJ]

Thanks for the links Charley. Interesting. Looks like Shelby doesn't like anyone making a buck, no matter how small, on his name.

[Sportyworty]

word is from respected insiders approx 10% gets to the kids. 2 sides to any debate. With out Shelby there would be no cars thus collections or even careers made on his marque. The second is the enthusiasts provided the destiny and longevity thus provided him with the long time career. I am of the latter school. He was a promoter and a good one at that. Carroll also was good at selecting the right people at the right time like many good promoters and sales people. From personal experience he is a &quot;slow pay&quot; and has always been known for this over zealous projections that lead to the little guy holding the bag at times.

[bergy]

Definitely 2 sides to every story!

[427TJ]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bergy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Definitely 2 sides to every story! </div></div>

Yep.

[427TJ]

Jeff, when Mr. Shelby walked over to meet Xplantdad's daughter Holly at B-J '07 he put his hand on Holly's shoulder and said, in his Texas drawl, &quot;Hi Holly, which one?&quot; (Which organ did you have replaced.) It was like two old war veterans meeting--two old war vets who speak a common language from common experience. I'm a bit of a sentimental type and it was touching to see the two of them interact for a couple of minutes. That's so sad about your son Jeff. I don't know what I would do...

Tibor would call me a &quot;bleeding heart.&quot; In this case, yes.

[Xplantdad]

Bill it was cool.

Also, When Holly was 6 months old, we got a poster from Carroll autographed with a note. His neighbor was a friend of my oldest sister. They started the chili cookoffs together... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

[Charley Lillard]

Ask the founders of the Shelby club that he stole if he is a hero. I'm glad he is apparently doing some good things but it does not excuse any of the bad things.

[L72copocamaro]

Say what you want, but I doubt anyone would do anything differently. It's no different than Microsoft, Google or whomever protecting their rights or image. It's just business.

[427TJ]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: L72copocamaro</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> It's no different than Microsoft, Google or whomever protecting their rights or image. It's just business. </div></div>

And when practiced at a high level it if often very mean and nasty. Not to defend Shelby, but ruthless businessmen do it 'better' than the rest. They smell the money--gains and losses--and act accordingly. I wonder if Shelby saw possible legal exposure with the SAAC? Maybe the SAAC was vulnerable, and thus Shelby saw himself as vulnerable to possible litigation/financial loss? Perhaps Shelby was advised to take over the SAAC and reduce his risk of potential litigation?

As for the 5.0, I bought a new '87 LX at Hayward Ford upon getting my USAF commission. The exhaust note was so sweet and then I drove it. Man, what a thrill after all those years of CRAPPY American &quot;muscle&quot; cars. I put the AC on high and it pulled a steep hill by the dealership with three adults onboard, going up there like a raped ape. All that and 25 mpg highway? Sold.