Hard to feel to bad, he lived one hell of a life.

He said once he was never successful until he did what he liked.

He created some automotive legends and in the process became a legend himself :thumbsup:

He lived 20 years past what anyone would have expected; I believe he was the longest living heart transplant recipient.

He lived more than most of us ever will. :D When you are with the people or doing the things you enjoy you are living. If you aren't doing that you are just existing.

He had a great run, 89 years on this earth, but probably stopped living before yesterday. RIP

I worked the OPTIMA stop box with Gary Patterson - and Gary told me stories about Carrol - that to me - showed his true car guy DNA. Gary said they'd been testing the new Snake -- and that Carrol would come out and want to ride while they were pushing the car hard.... Gary says he'd look over and Carrol was pasty and not looking too well - but when he'd ask if he wanted to go back in and get out - he'd say no way! Gary said he finally figured out that he'd just tell him that he had to go back and collect some data or do some suspension changes to the car - otherwise he said he couldn't get Carrol out of the car.

It was funny at the time -- but really speaks to me about his love for this sport and his love for "cars".

Holman -Moody did way more for ford racing then Carroll ever did.Bud Moore was way better car builder in the trans am and won more races than Carroll ever did.So yes people will achieve more then Carroll did.

its pretty awesome how known he actually is though. Regardless of what type of automobiles crazy folk you are, Carroll Shelby is a house hold name for you!

That 'it' factor he had inspired such a long running, widespread passion in the hi-performance cars that bear his name, starting with the first Cobra built in 1962.

The huge cachet his name had made the current Shelby GT-500 Mustangs Ford builds happen of course, and those cars have done pretty well themselves.

Seems like the current Shelbys may also be largely responsible for helping to create the horsepower war that has also had a wonderful trickle down effect on the PT car scene we're in.

Plus that whole cottage industry that sprang up busy replicating his cars.

He had quite a run. :cool:

Great story and insights Herr Veld. :thumbsup:

BTW-feel free to use that moniker when 'traveling'. :unibrow:

His biographies were always a great read. I'd finish his books within a week they were so entertaining. My favorite was when he grabbed the rights of "KR" right before Chevy was going to put it on their newest Vette. He put Enzo in his place as well. Between Shelby, Smokey, Captain Nice, and Mickey T these guys were way ahead of their time and will be greatly missed. God bless you Mr. Shelby.