Ken Miles: The Shelby American Years

by Dave Friedman

Ken Miles is one of the most famous sports car racers in history, and his time at Shelby American was the pinnacle of his career. Ride shotgun with Ken Miles through the twists and turns of Sebring, Laguna Seca, Riverside, and Le Mans as seen through the lens of Shelby American photographer Dave Friedman!

The hiring of Ken Miles by Carroll Shelby in February 1963 initiated arguably the greatest pairing of driver/owner partnerships in the history of motorsports. Not only did Shelby hire Competition Manager Ken Miles as an accomplished road racer but also Miles brought professionalism, innovation, and a keen attribute of being able to surround himself with budding, talented individuals.

The list of race cars that Ken piloted at Shelby American is nearly unrivaled: the Shelby 289 Cobra, 390 Cobra, 427 Cobra, King Cobra, Shelby Daytona, Mustang GT350R, and Ford GT. Ken dominated the 1964 United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) racing season by winning 8 of 10 races to secure the Manufacturers' Championship. However, it was at Le Mans where Ken Miles became a worldwide household name.

The robbery that was the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans is laid out in excruciatingly accurate detail as Ford royalty Carroll Shelby, Carroll Smith, Homer Perry, Leo Beebe, Charlie Agapiou, Bob Negstad, Carroll Smith, and Peter Miles recall the race and the tragedy that followed two months later.

Recapture Ken Miles's career as told by esteemed Shelby American photographer Dave Friedman in this firsthand account titled Ken Miles: The Shelby American Years!

Genres: Racing

240 pages, Paperback

Published May 25, 2021

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who were recently introduced to Ken Miles in the movie Ford versus Ferrari, here is a pictorial "auto" biography of Miles and his time at Shelby American. He was the consummate engineer and driver.

The book features many historic pictures of 60s sports car racing with Ken Miles and other notable drivers of the time. Great stories are shared by Dave Friedman who was the photographer for Shelby American.

While the movie depicts Leo Beebe of Ford Motor Company's dislike for Ken Miles. Quotes captured by Dave Freedman reflect a completely different relationship between them. The images give a feeling of stepping back in time and provide an intimate glimpse of Ken Miles at his best.

A great book for car aficionados...

[Rick Fifield · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author was the photographer for Shelby American and he uses the pictures to tell the story of Ken Miles from the time he came to Shelby American until his untimely death on August 17, 1966. The pictures are wonderful, the story is thin but adequate. If you are interested in the development of the Cobra and Ford GT this book is for you.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make no mistake, Dave Friedman’s “Ken Miles, the Shelby American Years” is no literary masterpiece, nor is it particularly polished. And that’s just fine. One can also forgive the typos, occasionally confusing text and misplaced photo. Instead, you are treated to an earnest, authentic portrait of Ken Miles during his years with Shelby. Mr. Friedman was the official photographer for Shelby American and thus perfectly positioned to capture the legendary team during, arguably, the zenith of American sports car racing. Anyone familiar with Mr. Friedman’s work won’t be surprised at the starkness and intensity of his photography. Mr. Friedman’s lens has captured the focused, weather worn faces; the plucky, grease covered mechanics; the battle scarred cars; and the sheer determination of Shelby’s motley band of racers. Pampered prima donnas they were not, yet there are some lighthearted moments as well.
Most importantly, we get a candid, insiders look at Ken Miles, an unassuming yet gutsy and colorful character. And one hell of a race car driver. What a fine tribute to one of motorsport’s genuine heros and someone I have always admired.

[Thomas Petri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Librarything Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review. If a picture is worth a 1000 words, this book is too full to for the book shelve to hold. Dave Friedman, the author and photographer, was employed by Shelby American and gives a first hand recount of the history in the book. In addition to the many photograph, Friedman fleshes out the action with enough narrative to put the story into perspective. Much of the book is action and (especially) humor. You get the impression that all the difficulties they encountered were just challenges , no more than running against a strong opponent in a race. At the head of this all is Ken Miles, working hand-in-hand with Carroll Shelby. So, in the midst of all this upwards struggle, there are problems and trials, betrayal by those close to Miles, et.al. A dark cloud and tragedy follows. But, to the end Miles is true to his principles, making the his story all the sadder.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ken Miles The Shelby American Years is a an excellent book on a legend who sadly was robbed of his much deserved triple crown win, I am far from a Miles or Ford Fan but I know about and admire him and Angers me to no end what Ford did by stripping of him of Le Mans. I Highly recommend this book and the wonderful Work Of Friedman.

[M. Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ll researched and we’ll spoken.

Tremendous voice to this piece of history from many of the people who made it especially Ken Miles. More people should know about his contributions to racing.