Carroll Shelby International


Carroll Shelby International is an American automobile manufacturer formed 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. 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 is the second wholly owned subsidiary that forms Carroll Shelby International, which is based in Nevada. Shelby American manufactures component automobiles, including replicas of the small-block and large-block AC Cobras, the Shelby GT350 and the GT500 Super Snake. Since 2005, Shelby American has released new models each year.
Carroll Shelby International was previously working with Texas-based Unique Performance to create new Mustang-based Shelby cars such as the GT350SR and "Eleanor". 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.

History

Shelby American was founded by Carroll Shelby in 1962 to build and market high performance parts and modified cars for individuals. The company was based at Santa Fe Springs, California, Venice, California. Production was moved to the A. O. Smith Company located in Ionia, Michigan, Whittier, California and Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Ford Mustang platform was adapted by Shelby American to produce the Shelby GT350, and Shelby GT500.
Shelby American cars made their mark in American and international sportscar competition. The Cobra was campaigned successfully in the United States Road Racing Championship series and was the platform for the Shelby Daytona Coupe that competed successfully in the GT class of the 1964 and 1965 World Sportscar Championship seasons. The Daytona Coupe finished first in class at the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans and achieved the first title for an American constructor in the World Sportscar Championship in 1965. From 1965 to 1967, Shelby American also provided support to Ford's World Sportscar Championship effort with the Ford GT40's, clinching the championship with a 1-2-3 finish at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Shelby had success the following year, with wins at Sebring and Le Mans with the GT40 Mark IV.
Shelby American moved in 1998 to Nevada becoming the first automobile manufacturer in Nevada and began production.
In 1999 the company was sold to Venture Corporation, for production of the Series I model. Cobra production was not part of the transfer of ownership.
In 2003, a new holding company was formed called "Carroll Shelby International, Inc.", and it was taken public. Shelby Automobiles was also created as a subsidiary and manufacturing arm of the new company.
In 2004, Shelby Automobiles purchased Shelby American Inc. and the assets to the Series I model.
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.

Model line-up

The Shelby Museum is located on site in Las Vegas, NV. It includes a wide range of Shelby vehicles, from the first Cobra CSX2000 to prototypes of Series 1 and some of the latest creations.

Cobras

Total small-block Cobras 655
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Total Cobras built 1,003

Shelby production totals 1965-89

1965
Total 1965 Shelby Mustangs - 562
1966
Total 1966 Shelby Mustangs - 2,380
1967
Total 1967 Shelby GT Mustangs - 3,240
1968
Total 1968 Ford Shelby Cobra GT Mustangs - 4,451
1969 & 1970
Total 1969-70 Ford Shelby Cobra GT Mustangs - 3,294
Shelby cars totals - 13,912
1986-1989
Total Dodge production- 6,050
Shelby vehicle total- 19,962

Shelby cars