Chassis No.

CSX4501



Even before his professional racing career and his win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Carroll Shelby had a dream of building sports cars under his own name.

But in the early 1960s, that dream seemed nearly impossible.

Health problems forced him to stop racing, and his other business ventures didn't look promising.

In 1961, however, he received news that the British AC Ace would be discontinued due to the unavailability of Bristol six-cylinder engines.



An entrepreneur at heart, Shelby realized that the light and nimble British roadster would be a perfect match for a powerful American V8, and he could realize his dream of becoming a constructor-not just a retired racing car driver.

Shelby concluded, rightly, that there was no such thing as too much power, and within the decade he fitted 260, 289, 427, and 428 cu-in Ford V8s under the hood of the small British roadster, creating one of the most sought-after, collectible cars ever produced.



Ever the businessm...