Date of Birth: January 11, 1923
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: May 10, 2012
Biography
Carroll Hall Shelby was an American automotive designer, racing driver, and entrepreneur, widely recognized for his contributions to the high-performance automotive industry. Born in Leesburg, Texas, Shelby initially pursued a career in the military and aviation before rising to prominence in the world of motorsports. He made a name for himself as a talented driver in the 1950s, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Aston Martin in 1959. Following his racing career, Shelby shifted his focus to automotive design and engineering. He founded Shelby American in 1962, where he developed the iconic Shelby Cobra, a car that combined British chassis engineering with powerful American V8 engines. His partnership with Ford Motor Company led to the creation of the legendary Shelby Mustangs, including the GT350 and GT500 models. Shelby’s innovative designs and engineering prowess left a lasting legacy in the automotive world, influencing generations of performance car enthusiasts.
5 Interesting Facts about Carroll Shelby
1. Carroll Shelby was a World War II flight instructor and test pilot before turning to automotive racing.
2. He was diagnosed with a heart condition called angina pectoris, which eventually led to his retirement from racing in 1960.
3. Shelby’s collaboration with Ford on the GT40 program led to Ford’s historic wins over Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1960s.
4. He founded the Carroll Shelby Foundation to provide medical assistance and educational opportunities for children.
5. Carroll Shelby was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Carroll Shelby
1. “I’ve always been asked, ‘What is my favorite car?’ and I’ve always said ‘The next one.’”
2. “Yesterday’s history. Tomorrow’s a mystery. So live for today.”
3. “If I were to characterize myself, I’d say I’m a pretty good combination of a visionary and a builder.”
4. “Performance is my business.”
5. “Winning has always meant much to me, but winning friends has meant the most.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Carroll Shelby’s net worth was estimated to be around $40 million.
Children
Carroll Shelby had three children: Patrick Shelby, Michael Shelby, and Sharon Shelby.
Relevant Links
1. [Official Carroll Shelby Website](https://www.shelby.com/
2. [Carroll Shelby on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carroll_Shelby
3. [Carroll Shelby Foundation](https://www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org/
4. [Shelby American Inc.](https://www.shelby.com/en-us/Vehicles
5. [Biography on Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/athlete/carroll-shelby
