5 DAYS UNTIL SCOTTSDALE: CARROLL SHELBY’S CARS

January 5, 2015
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

“Carroll’s Shelby,” this 1969 Shelby GT500 Convertible, is one of more than 140 vehicles from the Ron Pratte Collection crossing the block at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January.

The July 2001 issue of Mustang Monthly listed this 1969 Shelby GT500 Convertible, Carroll Shelby’s personal car, as the number-one car in their “Top 10 Dream Cars” to own. This 1960s Shelby Cobra Mustang was owned by Carroll Shelby since new and he owned it for three decades.

According to the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC), an organization recognized since 1975 as the undisputed authority on the history and legacy of all Shelby automobiles, Carroll’s personal 1969 GT500 was shipped to his company in June 1969. Originally painted white and riding on F60x15 tires, the 428cid engine was connected to a 3-speed automatic transmission. It featured a white top and interior.

Carroll purchased this car with just over 7,000 demonstration miles. Over the years, he tailored the car to his own style with tasteful changes such as 10-spoke Shelby wheels and painting it red. Carroll so enjoyed cruising in the car across Southern California that he never let it go. He cherished the GT500 to the point that he limited the time it was displayed at the Imperial Palace Automobile Collection in Las Vegas, Nev.

In 2007, he asked his friend and Shelby car expert Stephen Becker to oversee the restoration of his convertible. At the hands of celebrated craftsman Jim Coles, every mechanical piece, from the automatic transmission to the 9” rear end, was rebuilt or replaced to its original 1969 condition and the body repainted in Carroll’s favorite color.

“Carroll’s Shelby” (Lot #2511) will cross the auction block in Scottsdale on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Ron Pratte’s prestigious collection of automobilia will kick off the 44th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction beginning Saturday, Jan. 10 at 9 a.m. and running through Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. Pratte’s vehicles first cross the block at 4 p.m. on Tuesday with lot numbers 2000 through 2109 and will continue with lot numbers 2500 through 2530 on Saturday, Jan. 17.

1949 MG TC Roadster Race Car

The first car that Carroll Shelby drove in a road race, this 1949 MG TC Roadster Race Car (Lot #2510) was the car that started Carroll’s racing career. In May, 1952, his good friend, Ed Wilkins, let Carroll Shelby drive this MG TC in a road race in Norman, Okla. – a race he won. He won the second race too, easily outrunning the Jaguar XK120s.

Those races and this car changed the course of his life as he went on to achieve immortality as creator of the Shelby Cobra and Mustang, as well as other significant cars.

This vintage race car was part of the famous Syd Silverman Collection for 20 years before being purchased by Ron Pratte and it’s well-known throughout the MG vintage race car circuit. This historic MG was awarded the prestigious Collier Cup in 2005 at the all-MG vintage race in Watkins Glen, NY.

It sports the original 1250cc four cylinder engine with a 4-speed transmission that has since been built up to 100+hp and is race ready. It still has the SCCA Log Book, as well as the original fenders, bonnet and mechanical parts that were stripped from the car for competition.

This 1949 MG TC Roadster Race Car (Lot #2510) will cross the auction block in Scottsdale on Saturday, Jan. 17.

1967 Shelby GT500

The first year of the big block Shelby Mustang debuted in 1967 when Ford installed a 390cid V8 engine in the standard GT model. It opened the path for Carroll Shelby to take the whole concept a bit further by offering a 428cid dual-quad big block to his elite group of Shelby car enthusiasts. The results were a radical departure from the standard-looking Mustang.

Through the extensive use of stylized lightweight fiberglass on the hood, trunk and side air scoops, the already highly popular car was transformed into an aggressive race-ready-looking grand touring muscle car we know today as the Shelby GT500. The ’67 Shelby sported good looks, performance and a whole host of upgraded options such as H.D. suspension with thicker anti-sway bars, functional brake scoops on early cars along with inboard headlights, power steering cooler, 15×7″ cast aluminum wheels, functional roll bar and shoulder harness, oil pressure and amp gauge cluster, traction lock differential and a 140 mph speedometer with 8,000 rpm tachometer.

This 1967 Shelby GT500 (Lot #2512) is one of the rarest examples of Shelby history. Car #943 was a family car given to Mike Shelby by his father, Carroll, in his favorite color combination: Midnight Metallic Blue with Parchment interior. Documented as authentic in the Shelby Registry and beautifully restored to concours original condition by one of the leading Shelby restoration experts, this GT500 is one of the most collectible cars in Shelby history.

This car is a matching numbers example of preserved authenticity retaining its California black license plate. Beautifully finished in the original color Midnight Metallic Blue with Parchment interior, Wimbledon White stripes, inboard headlights, top loader 4-speed, brake ducts, 10-spoke alloy wheels and original, very rare “one-year-only” wood steering wheel and horn button.

This 1967 Shelby GT500 (Lot #2512) will cross the auction block in Scottsdale on Saturday, Jan. 17.

2007 Shelby GT “Serial #001”

The Shelby GT was the newest performance Mustang to join the lineup in 2007. It began production at Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas in January 2007. This 2007 Shelby GT (Lot # 2525) was the first to be produced and carries Shelby CSM #001.

The Shelby GT Mustang combines the best in classic Shelby looks and Ford Racing Performance Parts for a well-balanced, corner-carving Mustang that is equally at home on the track or the street. This car started life as a Mustang GT at the factory in Flat Rock, Mich., and was then shipped to Las Vegas for modification by Shelby.

Ford Racing power and handling upgrade packages increase performance by approximately 25hp, and lower the car 1.5″ while tightening the suspension and improving handling. The car is also fitted with a Hurst short throw shifter and X-pipe exhaust. Some key Shelby design components include hood scoop, hood pins, grille insert, sill plate and floor mats, “Shelby GT” side stripe, “Shelby” badging on trunk lid and a custom authentication plate on the dash.

The 2007 Shelby GT “Serial #001” (Lot #2525) will cross the auction block in Scottsdale on Saturday, Jan. 17.