The Shelby American: An All-American Cinematic Dream

What happens when a chicken farmer in Texas decides to take on the largest hot-rod, luxury vehicle brands in the world? Once he succeeds, he not only influences the history of American racing, but has his stories and cars star in action-packed, critically acclaimed films.  

Carroll Shelby raised the standards of American racing when he took on the international sports-car industry in the 1960’s. By using Ford V-8 engines and framed by lightweight British roadsters, Shelby developed what we know today as the American Shelby brand where vehicles today that easily sell for seven figures. Most recently at  Scottsdale Barrett Jackson, an ultra-rare 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 CSX 3356 effortlessly sold for $1,210,000.00! 

Carroll Shelby’s compelling story has influenced cinematic culture since the 1960’s, and if his story isn’t centered around a script, his cars are. The racing titan and his signature cars have been featured feature films like Love Bug and most recently, Academy Award winning  Ford v Ferrari.  

Remember Herbie the Love Bug? It’s hard to forget the famous white Volkswagen Beetle that had a mind of its own. The Shelby Cobra CSX’s feature in the film as an extra racing against America’s favorite bug. Thanks to careful preservation, this vintage treasure has been an active racer and show car in the years since its motion picture debut, appearing at the Goodwood Revival, the Coronado Festival of Speed, and the Australia F1 Grand Prix. 

2. 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – I Am Legend (2007)  

In the opening scene of the post-apocalyptic 2007 film, US Army virologist Robert Neville played by Will Smith drives through the abandoned streets of New York City in the revered 2007 Shelby Mustang GT500. Despite only one appearance in the film, the roar of the 5.4 liter Shelby engine echoes through the empty streets making the scene, and the car, legendary. After filming, the Shelby (only one of six) was preserved and can be purchased for a cool $150,000.  

3. 1966 Shelby GT350H – Grand Prix (1966) 

In the memorable 1966 American racing drama Grand Prix, actor James Garner drives this 1966 Shelby GT350 loaned to the production by Carroll Shelby, who acted as a consultant during the filming to create an authentic depiction of F1 racing. Filmed in Monaco, the epic racing movie depicted the extremely fast and most noteworthy vehicles at the time, including the classic, timeless GT350H later given to Garner. 

4. 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 – Gone In 60 Seconds (2000) 

In the year 2000, Gone in 60 Seconds featured Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, and Eleanor, the 1967 Shelby GT 500. The film centered around stealing cars made audiences obsess over this Ford Shelby model, and it quickly became one of the most coveted movie Mustangs of all time. Carroll Shelby developed a new Shelby GT500 E after the film. The ‘E’ aptly named after Eleanor.  

5. Ford GT40 Mk II – Ford v Ferrari (2019) 

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