Did Carroll Shelby work with Toyota?
Yes, the legendary automotive designer and racing driver Carroll Shelby did collaborate with Toyota in the 1980s. Shelby worked with the Japanese automaker to develop high-performance versions of Toyota's popular sports car, the Supra.
Shelby's Collaboration with Toyota
In the early 1980s, Toyota was looking to expand its presence in the North American sports car market. The company approached Carroll Shelby, known for his work on the iconic Shelby Cobra and Mustang models, to help develop a high-performance version of the Toyota Supra.
Shelby's involvement with the Toyota Supra project resulted in the creation of the Shelby-tuned Supra, which featured a range of performance upgrades. These included a more powerful engine, upgraded suspension, and distinctive Shelby styling cues.
The Shelby-Tuned Toyota Supra
- Increased engine power and performance
- Upgraded suspension and handling characteristics
- Distinctive Shelby-inspired exterior and interior design elements
- Limited production run, making the Shelby-tuned Supra a sought-after collector's item
The collaboration between Shelby and Toyota was a successful one, with the Shelby-tuned Supra gaining a loyal following among sports car enthusiasts. The partnership demonstrated Shelby's ability to work with other automakers to create high-performance vehicles that combined his expertise with the engineering capabilities of his collaborators.
Did Carroll Shelby ever work for Chevrolet?
Even before Shelby retired from racing and started building cars under his own name, he became a part of a team that produced one of the most exclusive Corvettes Chevrolet ever built, the Scaglietti Corvette.
What companies did Carroll Shelby work with?
Shelby produced those cars through 1968, then subsequent cars with the Shelby GT brand were produced in-house by Ford. After parting with Ford, Shelby moved on to help develop performance cars with divisions of the two other Big 3 American companies: Dodge (Chrysler) and Oldsmobile (General Motors).
What was Carroll Shelby's personal car?
And it is on the mecum auction block here in kissimmee 2021. One of only five 427 cobras finished in charcoal gray. During carol shelby's ownership it went through a lot of evolutions.
Who inherited Carroll Shelby's money?
Carroll Shelby told his adult children — Mike, Pat and Sharon — that he planned to leave the majority of his estate to the Carroll Shelby Foundation, which he formed after his heart transplant in 1991. He set aside an undisclosed marital trust for Cleo, Mike Shelby said.
What car did Carroll Shelby drive?
Carroll Shelby the Driver. The pinnacle of Shelby's driving career came in 1959 when he won the crown jewel of international sports cars racing, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving an Aston Martin. A heart condition caused Shelby to retire from racing in 1960.
When did Carroll Shelby stop working with Ford?
Carroll Shelby's departure from Ford in the 1960s was primarily due to a combination of creative differences and business disagreements. After the success of the Shelby Cobra and the Ford Mustang GT350, Shelby wanted more independence to pursue his own projects and racing endeavors.
What was Carroll Shelby's favorite car?
Although he preferred the 289 to the 427, Carroll never shied away from claiming the Cobra was his favorite personal car. It's a car that happened in part because of a lucky timing coincidence. British company AC cars needed an engine for the Ace roadster, and Ford had just crafted a new small-block V-8.
What is Carroll Shelby's most famous quote?
1. "There's never enough horsepower... just not enough traction."
Did Shelby work with Ford?
Shelby American worked with Ford to re-engineer the GT40 for the '66 season, replacing the 289 cubic inch (4.7 L) engine with Ford's larger, more powerful 427 cu. in. (7.0 L) engine.
What disease did Carroll Shelby have?
angina pectoralis
In May 1960, Shelby was diagnosed with angina pectoralis, a hereditary cardiac condition, which causes reduced blood flow to the heart, and ultimately caused Shelby's early retirement from racing in 1961. He lived with this condition for about 30 years, receiving a new heart in June 1990.
