The Shelby American Story
By Art Evans
His 2008 release was devoted to Shelby’s career as a racing driver that ended with his 1960 retirement due to heart troubles. This latest work, The Shelby American Story, rejoins the tale, ostensibly looking deeper at Shelby, his race team and company during the 1960s.
Evans explores not only the cars and the races but also the many personalities who weave in and out of the Shelby American story. While some chapters cover obvious highlights like the Cobras and Ford GTs, others are devoted to seminal victories at places like Sebring, Daytona and Le Mans. I believe, however, that the most interesting chapters cover the people who played key roles in making the Shelby American name, personalities like Ed Hugus, John Morton, Ken Miles, Bill Krause and Henry Ford II. Evans’s relationship with Shelby gave him unprecedented access, and when his “insider” viewpoint is combined with images from team photographer Dave Friedman and Shelby’s own scrapbooks, the result is a unique view of a great American automotive success story.
Available for $39.95 (plus $5.95 s/h) directly from the author at 800 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, CA 90277, (323) 325-3980.
