Shelby’s ’59 Le Mans Victory Artwork
Carroll Shelby may be best known for his FIA-winning Cobras, SCCA championship GT350s and the GT40s that triumphed at Le Mans, but his proudest moment came as a driver. In 1959, Shelby won the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a driver for Aston Martin, becoming only the second American in history to win the grueling endurance race.
This painting celebrates the moment of Shelby’s victory, capturing him as he smiled to acknowledge his team and co-driver Roy Salvadori. As he did throughout his career as a driver, Carroll is wearing his famous bib overalls, which reflect his start as a chicken farmer, when he would rush from farm to track without having time to change. Roy told Carroll that fans would remember him if he kept wearing them, which Carroll did at every race he entered.
