January 11, 1923 – Carroll Shelby is born
Carroll Shelby, race car driver, team owner and car builder, was born on this day in 1923. Shelby is perhaps best known for his role in the creation of the Shelby AC Cobra and the Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s. However, his career spanned decades of racing, engineering and production feats.
Shelby’s need for speed was present as far back as the 1930s when he cruised around his high school town in Texas in a modified Willys. After graduation he served in the Air Army Corps during WWII. There he earned his wings as a test pilot and flight instructor. Upon discharge he held positions in the oil fields and on a poultry farm before finally getting a chance to grab the wheel during a professional auto race.
Above: 1965 Cobra 427. By PLawrence99cx CC BY-SA 4.0. Top: Shelby racing an Aston ...
