Carroll Shelby 1923–2012

We start the day with the sad news that American muscle car legend Carroll Shelby has passed away. He had been suffering from pneumonia for several weeks and died peacefully at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. He was 89 and is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth and his wife Cleo.

Shelby earned his stripes racing cars in the 1950s, and he was damn good at it too. He competed in eight F1 races in across the 1958 and 1959 seasons. As part of the Aston Martin factory team he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959.

But it was his Cobra muscle car for which he became best known. It was a simple concept, a big American V8 shoehorned into a British roadster, the AC Ace. The “Shelby Cobra” as it became known has existed in a number of configurations, starting with the original 289s in 1962. The more powerful 427s followed in 1965.

The beautiful mid-century curves, the brutal and dominant roar of a powerful V8 engine: The motoring world owes Shelby a quiet nod of thanks. He has given us a true icon, which will now serve as a fitting legacy to his life.

We’ve assembled a few pics and videos for you after the break to pay raucous respect. Also included is a press release from Shelby American.

Legendary entrepreneur Carroll Shelby passes away

LOS ANGELES – May 11, 2012 – Carroll Shelby International, Inc., (OTC: CSBI.PK) announced today that Carroll Hall Shelby, a man whose vision for performance transformed the automobile industry, has died at age 89. Mr. Shelby passed away yesterday at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Born on Jan. 11, 1923, Carroll Shelby was one of America’s greatest success stories. Championship-winning racecar driver, “flying sergeant” wartime pilot, philanthropist, entrepreneur, car manufacturer and racing team owner, he embodied the ingenuity, tenacity and grit to overcome any obstacle. He is perhaps the only person to have worked at a visible level with all three major American automobile manufacturers.
Carroll Shelby founded Carroll Shelby International, a publicly held corporation involved in many industries. His licensing arm has agreements with industry giants, such as Mattel, Sony, Ford Motor Company and Electronic Arts. His car company, Shelby American, has a thriving parts business as well as a line of muscle cars including the Shelby GT500 Super Snake, Shelby GT350 and Shelby GTS. The Las Vegas-based company also manufactures a limited number of the 1960s Shelby 289 “street,” 289 FIA, 427 S/C and Daytona Coupe Cobras.

Shelby considered his greatest achievement to be the establishment of the Carroll Shelby Foundationâ„¢. Created in 1992 while Shelby was waiting for a heart transplant, the charity is dedicated to providing medical assistance for those in need, including children, educational opportunities for young people through automotive and other training programs and benefitting the Carroll Shelby Automotive Foundation.

Shelby remained active in the management of each of his companies and the Foundation until his death, even though he endured both heart and kidney transplants in the last two decades of his life.

“We are all deeply saddened, and feel a tremendous sense of loss for Carroll’s family, ourselves and the entire automotive industry,” said Joe Conway, president of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and board member. “There has been no one like Carroll Shelby and never will be. However, we promised Carroll we would carry on, and he put the team, the products and the vision in place to do just that.”

Shelby is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth and his wife Cleo. Funeral plans are not currently available. Donations to the Carroll Shelby Foundation are encouraged in lieu of flowers. Information about the Carroll Shelby Foundation is available at www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org.