AC & Cobra 1962-2011: A Brooklands Portfolio

The Shelby American Story is about the decade of the sixties. Carroll Shelby is world-renowned for developing the Shelby Cobras and Mustangs as well as the Ford GT racing program. Prior to this, however, Shelby was a championship race driver, culminating in 1959, when he and his co-driver, Roy Salvadori, won Le Mans, the World's premier road racing event. Forced to retire from racing due to ill health, Carroll got the idea of installing small-block American V-8 engines in a light-weight sports car. The English AC had a beautiful body and good-handling characteristics, but a somewhat anemic power plant. Shelby discussed the idea with Charles Hurlock of AC and a roller was shipped to Shelby who installed a 260 cid Ford V8. The first car was finished in early 1962. Renamed the Cobra, Shelby's creations were beginning to appear at race courses by the end of 1962. A sufficient number of cars were built for the FIA to recognize the Cobra as a production (GT) car. Cobras dominated the GT Class in racing for much of the decade, winning Le Mans and Sebring in 1964. In 1965, Cobra Daytona Coupes won the World Manufacturers' Championship. After some success installing Ford V-8s in Cooper Mona-cos (the King Cobra), Shelby teamed with Ford to pursue the triple crown of sports car racing: Le Mans, Sebring and Daytona. Success finally came with the Ford GT in 1966 and then again in 1967. This book tells the entire story including accounts of the most significant races, the engineering and development of the cars as well as something about the outstanding individuals involved with Shelby during the era. It is a must have for all autosports enthusiasts as well as those interested in the history of cars and racing. But most of all, it is essential for the many Shelby fans throughout the world.