The Carroll Shelby Story

by Carroll Shelby

Carroll Shelby wasn't born to run. He was born to race some of the fastest cars ever to tear up a speedway. Carroll Shelby wasn't born to run. He was born to race some of the fastest cars ever to tear up a speedway. The exciting new feature film Ford v Ferrari --starring Matt Damon as Shelby and Christian Bale as fellow racer Ken Miles--immortalizes the small-town Texas boy who won the notorious Le Mans 24-hour endurance challenge, and changed the face of auto racing with the legendary Shelby Cobra. But there's much more to his high-velocity, history-making story. A wizard behind the wheel, he was also a visionary designer of speed machines that ruled the racetrack and the road. While his GT40s racked up victories in the world's most prestigious professional racing showdowns, his masterpiece, the Ford Cobra, gave Europe's formidable Ferrari an American--style run for its money. If you've got a need for speed, strap in next to the man who put his foot down on the pedal, kept his eyes on the prize, and never looked back.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Sports, Cars

ebook

Published November 11, 2019

Reviews

[Trevor Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as a heads up, this book was written in 1967, so a lot of the opinions on current events are what was happening then. The book is a mix of Shelby’s career up to that point, how his childhood shaped his interest in cars/motor sports, and the development of the Cobra. Good read for any motorsport enthusiast.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for book club. I'm probably not enough of a car guy to really appreciate this one.

[Vincent Cervoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelby vs. the World

I ordered this book after seeing Ford vs. Ferrari. As it turns out, that script is based on less than 10% of this story. Shelby’s unstoppable vision and drive could be inspirational to any entrepreneur. He took on the world of racing and won.

[Rich Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK

Interesting facts about Mr. Shelby and where he started. Would have been better if there were more on the Cobra, GT 350 and GT 40 development. The race recaps weren't that interesting. Lots of typos in this book too.

[Beaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dry. Selling cobras

[Arnold T. Blostein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

It was great to read this account of Carroll Shelby. He dis so many things so well. I did not realize before what a superb race car driver he was.

[Susan Clingman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish the author had continued past 1966. He was the oldest heart transplant recipient. But maybe that's another story.

[Mr. Mustela frenata · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.33

[Hannah Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the Ford v. Ferrari movie but the book was way too long, had a very boring style, and had so many car stories and Shelby life details that didn't interest me.

[Ethan Jarrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a big car buff, and am actually building a hot rod myself. That's the reason I bought this book, because I thought it would cover more of the history of how Shelby engineered his iconic cobra, or helped Ford with the GT or Shelby mustang. So part of that is my fault for not realizing what part of Shelby's history this covers. But apparently it covers his childhood, early life, and racing career. I personally have never really been into racing, so the only thing more boring than watching a race would be reading about a race in excruciating detail. I also listened to this book on audible, and the narrator was difficult to listen to without wanting to go to sleep.

[Tommy Kiedis · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Army Air Corps pilot to chicken farmer to world class racing driver to automotive visionary, the name of Carroll Shelby (1923-2012) adorns trophies and one of the most celebrated automobiles on asphalt.

I think this book is outstanding, particularly for the lesson on vision that comes from the life of Shelby and his pursuit of the Cobra. Additionally, one can see the power of purpose when one has it and gives himself/herself to it.

Please visit On My Walk to see my full review!