If you get hot while driving a Shelby Cobra, you go faster, if you need a cup holder, bring a friend; if you’re wondering if that left front tire seems a bit low, you’d better get out and check. And if you’re losing traction in the turns, well, then you’re just not driving it right. Today we live in an automotive world of overindulgent pampering. A world-class performance machine does not require traction control, stability, tire pressure monitors, side windows, cup holders, computer-adjustable struts, or air-conditioning – it requires something our ancient forefathers called… legacy.
A legacy that was already well on its way when Mr. Carroll Shelby had the brilliant epiphany to cross a tiny British roadster with a Ford 427 cubic-inch big block. What resulted was a Molotov cocktail on wheels that was about as eloquent as a Gorilla in a boxing ring. “There is no other car that provides the raw power and visceral excitement of the Cobra,” describes Rick Kopec, Shelby historian and one of the Authors of the book, Shelby American 60 Years of High Performance. “You have to work at driving it, it can get away from you easily in tight-handling situations and it has the overall feel of being a little on the ragged edge [a.k.a. Gorilla] because of its construction.”
In its top form, a modern-day Shelby S/C Cobra should be on tap for somewhere around 535 horsepower (750 with a supercharger), and this is unarguably a good bit more than should be required to propel any man down the road surrounded by just 2,460 pounds of steel, fiberglass, and/or aluminum. “It was not a clean-sheet-of-paper modern design with all parts meant to work in harmony with each other,” describes Rick. “But a conglomeration of components which were never intended to be used together.”
Never intended to be used together, yes, that is a good point, Rick. And the singular deciding factor of this conglomeration of parts leading to one’s fate of either finding themselves nose-deep in a barricade or leading the path to racing domination was one word… talent. “Throw in an honest racing heritage and some of the best sports car drivers who ever lived,” explains Rick. “And you have something that was unique and timeless.”
And we’re talking old-school drivers that learned the sport the old-fashioned way. You know, those lessons that only come from falling off your bike again and again, letting the blood clot and stains set in, and not giving up until you had either tamed the beast or more appropriately, become one with it.
“[Shelby] produced something that was far more than the sum of [its] parts, [and] all were accomplished by a mere 655 examples,” Rick reminisces. “It’s no wonder that these cars now regularly fetch a million dollars.” But not to worry, if you’d like to add one of these beasts to your garage, a modern S/C by Shelby American or quality reproduction can be had at an average price of somewhere around $50,000 (give or take, depending on age, condition, options, location, etc.).
The idea of how fun these cars are to both race and cruise brought up a very important question. Is there any vehicle being manufactured today that has the same flare and fun factor as the original Shelby Cobra 289? Well, no. Not even close. “In my opinion, the modern vehicle that comes closest to providing the ‘fun factor’ of the original 289 Cobra would be the Porsche 911 of the same vintage,” answers Rick. “And even then it is comparing apples to oranges.”
So, apples to apples, there is nothing quite like an original Shelby Cobra – not even a modern Shelby. But there is nothing like any other Shelby for that matter, and we have left a lot of legendary Shelby vehicles out of the discussion so far, including the Daytona Coupe, GT40, King Cobra, Charger, GLH (“Goes Like Hell”), and GT350. Each of these cars has its own legendary tale that is worthy of its own book. And the only bridge that has connected these vehicles together for the last 60 years is the man himself, Caroll Shelby.
“Name someone else who had that kind of consistent presence in the automotive world?” asks Rick. “Even after his passing his name continues to represent performance.” Yes, there are very few times in the business world when one man’s name can maintain the staying power to go beyond his life, blood, flesh, and own success. When one man’s spirit can evolve into a movement that continues to breathe his legend and build momentum through others who have diligently followed his footsteps and bravely attempt to go beyond where they last stood.
“The Shelby brand has demonstrated a staying power in the automobile industry,” Rick points out. “Carroll Shelby was a unique personality who was able to be successful as a race driver, car manufacturer, promoter, and automotive visionary for almost seven decades.” And he would have been 100 years old this year, and he would have most likely had a prominent seat at the table in the discussions among car manufacturers and performance enthusiasts asking that all-important ‘post-gasoline’ question, What comes next?
And that does sound like a pretty good question, what does come next, Rick? Can the Shelby brand adapt itself through the changes to come and find a place at the table for the next 60 years to come?
I’m not sure the Shelby brand has enough staying power to maintain itself as a leader in the performance world for the next 60 years. I don’t think any brand does. No one can know what it will be like then. Especially with talk about banishing the internal combistion engine in the next ten years. That will change the calculus of everything. The future will be nothing like the past or the present and fewer people will be around who remember the past. We have to play the cards we’re dealt and the deck is being reshuffled right now.
And there are so many other great tales of Shelby that we’d like to share with you, but rather than condense them here, we invite you to read the full stories with original photos and illustrations in Rick and Colin Comer’s new book, Shelby American 60 Years of High Performance.
About Dr. Eric J. Leech
Eric has written for over a decade. Then one day he created Urbasm.com, a site for every guy.
About Dr. Eric J. Leech