Shelby fans...

[sirbob]

A neat article in todays Hagerty newsletter about a Shelby museum in CO. I thought some here might enjoy reading.

Superstars and Stripes: A stroll through the Shelby American Collection - Hagerty Media

A spin around the Shelby American Collection is sure to inspire awe, with its unparalleled collection of historically significant cars.

www.hagerty.com

 

[rivrrts429]

You don’t have to be a Shelby fan to admire this. Anyone who appreciates anything with a motor is likely left with their jaw dropped.

 

[rivermobster]

You don’t have to be a Shelby fan to admire this. Anyone who appreciates anything with a motor is likely left with their jaw dropped.

Unless you're a chebby fan. Then you'll just be all sad and shit!

 

[playdeep]

Found this picture on the internet.
Caption read- Carroll Shelby's first Cobra and his Secretary .
Thought it was cool.
...never knew he had a hot Secretary.

 

[sonicss31]

Thanks for the link.

 

[OC Mike]

Unless you're a chebby fan. Then you'll just be all sad and shit!

Most of probably know the irony on this is he went to Chebby first and got turned down because they didn't want a challenger to the Corvette.
Se he went to Iacocco @ Ford and made the deal with a promise to kick the s-it of the Corvette.

And yes, nice link sirbob, thanks for sharing...

 

[rivermobster]

A neat article in todays Hagerty newsletter about a Shelby museum in CO. I thought some here might enjoy reading.

Superstars and Stripes: A stroll through the Shelby American Collection - Hagerty Media

A spin around the Shelby American Collection is sure to inspire awe, with its unparalleled collection of historically significant cars.

www.hagerty.com

View attachment 1101867

Great read with my breakfast this morning. Thanks!

 

[rrrr]

My musician brother lives in a suburb of Denver, and he became aware of the museum by doing a gig there. He's been hounding me to come visit him and go to the museum with him. He said it's the coolest car related thing he's ever seen.

 

[rivermobster]

Most of probably know the irony on this is he went to Chebby first and got turned down because they didn't want a challenger to the Corvette.
Se he went to Iacocco @ Ford and made the deal with a promise to kick the s-it of the Corvette.

And yes, nice link sirbob, thanks for sharing...

Never heard that "rumor" before...

Is Carroll Shelby Responsible For Chevy's Late 1960s Racing Success?

Yes, you read the title right and no, we haven't lost our minds. In more ways than one, Carroll Shelby was a major contributor to Chevrolet history!

www.streetmusclemag.com

 

[monkeyswrench]

Found this picture on the internet.
Caption read- Carroll Shelby's first Cobra and his Secretary .
Thought it was cool.
...never knew he had a hot Secretary.

Did you think he was going to have anything else? Sure, he could go for the one that new shorthand...but they could have also left the stock motor in the Bristol...what fun would that be?

 

[SkyDirtWaterguy]

Kid Rock just sold his Ford GT supercar for a small fortune

Kid Rock has sold his 2004 Ford GT at auction for $638,000, which is significantly more than the vehicle typically goes for.

www.foxnews.com

 

[OC Mike]

Here's an Iacocca link.

How Lee Iacocca and Carroll Shelby changed Detroit - Hagerty Media

We celebrate a little-known element of Iacocca’s influence on the domestic car industry.

www.hagerty.com

"Give him the money and get him out of here...before he bites somebody."

 

[rivermobster]

Kid Rock just sold his Ford GT supercar for a small fortune

Kid Rock has sold his 2004 Ford GT at auction for $638,000, which is significantly more than the vehicle typically goes for.

www.foxnews.com

Saw that the other day. Such a beautiful car.

 

[OC Mike]

Link to GM and Ferrari connection, pre Cobra, pissing them both off.

Scaglietti Corvette

Carroll Shelby’s Scaglietti Corvette Combined Yankee Engineering with Euro Styling

www.lsxmag.com

 

[SBMech]

Link to GM and Ferrari connection, pre Cobra, pissing them both off.

Scaglietti Corvette

Carroll Shelby’s Scaglietti Corvette Combined Yankee Engineering with Euro Styling

www.lsxmag.com

That's a great link to the real story, rather than the bullshit about GM hating him.

There are more than a few unique hot rods out there inspired by ideas of American V8 power, like the Sunbeam Tiger/ AC Cobra and the majority of them are GM powered, like the Iso Grifo and the Bizzarrini Strada to name just a few. Actually drove an Iso Grifo myself, what a bad ass little hot rod! Had a 375HP 327 in it with the Muncie...later cars had the 427 Rat in them.

The real reason GM round binned the idea is that while Harley and Duntov were actively supporting Shelby to kick Ferrari's ass at Le Mons but GM had a corporate ban against racing in any form at the time, when the penny pinchers found out it ruined the deal.

I used to consider myself (and lets be honest, I got a bowtie tattoo!) a hard core chevy guy when I was younger, now that I've seen and worked on hundreds of classics, I consider myself a lover of all things that go fast and make loud noises...regardless of who made them!

 

[rrrr]

Never heard that "rumor" before...

Is Carroll Shelby Responsible For Chevy's Late 1960s Racing Success?

Yes, you read the title right and no, we haven't lost our minds. In more ways than one, Carroll Shelby was a major contributor to Chevrolet history!

www.streetmusclemag.com

Me neither.

Your link has a great photo of a younger Carroll Shelby in a "Birdcage" Maserati Tipo 61. It was taken in 1959. A look at the photo easily reveals how the car got its nickname.

The chassis was like a geometric puzzle, over 200 pieces of 10 and 15 mm tubing welded into load bearing triangles, somehow made rigid enough to handle the racing loads placed on it.

The cars showed promise, but suffered from an underpowered and unreliable engine.

 

[rivermobster]

Me neither.

Your link has a great photo of a younger Carroll Shelby in a "Birdcage" Maserati Tipo 61. It was taken in 1959. A look at the photo easily reveals how the car got its nickname.

The chassis was like a geometric puzzle, over 200 pieces of 10 and 15 mm tubing welded into load bearing triangles, somehow made rigid enough to handle the racing loads placed on it.

The cars showed promise, but suffered from an underpowered and unreliable engine.

We never heard of it because it didn't happen! lol But that article clears up where that rumor actually did come from.

So much great history back in those days. People thinking outside the box, to come up with the next mile per hour or two. Today it's just some egg head sitting in front of a computer trying to come up with the next big thing.

It will be all electric cars soon. The powers that be will make certian of that. But, it has to happen. There is only a finite amount of petrol on this rock. We'd be in deep shit if we used it all up.

So glad I grew up in the old days.

 

[rrrr]

We never heard of it because it didn't happen! lol But that article clears up where that rumor actually did come from.

So much great history back in those days. People thinking outside the box, to come up with the next mile per hour or two. Today it's just some egg head sitting in front of a computer trying to come up with the next big thing.

It will be all electric cars soon. The powers that be will make certian of that. But, it has to happen. There is only a finite amount of petrol on this rock. We'd be in deep shit if we used it all up.

So glad I grew up in the old days.

Yeah, I was just affirming your observation.

And speaking of small British cars powered by American V-8s, my buddy Stef, a friend of mine in Albuquerque, has a Sunbeam Tiger with 7,000 miles on the odometer. Other cars in his collection are a 1966 Mustang Shelby GT-350, a 1968 Mustang Shelby GT-500KR, a 289 Cobra, and a 427 Cobra. None of these cars have been restored, they're all original.

The GT-500KR is the high mileage car of the group, it has about 45,000 miles on the odometer. The rest of them have less than 30,000 miles on them. I dunno what he paid for them, but they were all purchased before 2000. I'm pretty sure he could make a little money by selling them.



I was really grooving on his Tiger, so Stef told me I could take it for a spin. I quickly found out I couldn't fit in the damned thing.

 

[SBMech]

Yeah, I was just affirming your observation.

And speaking of small British cars powered by American V-8s, my buddy Stef, a friend of mine in Albuquerque, has a Sunbeam Tiger with 7,000 miles on the odometer. Other cars in his collection are a 1966 Mustang Shelby GT-350, a 1968 Mustang Shelby GT-500KR, a 289 Cobra, and a 427 Cobra. None of these cars have been restored, they're all original.

The GT-500KR is the high mileage car of the group, it has about 45,000 miles on the odometer. The rest of them have less than 30,000 miles on them. I dunno what he paid for them, but they were all purchased before 2000. I'm pretty sure he could make a little money by selling them.



I was really grooving on his Tiger, so Stef told me I could take it for a spin. I quickly found out I couldn't fit in the damned thing.

Yea they are shockingly tiny. Like smaller than a MG Midget. No way I could drive one now a days, back in my youth I had to shoe horn my 230lbs into one...once! I was lean and mean back then too! Like 8% body fat mean. No joke.

Hope his is a later one with a 289 instead of the first 2 years that had 260's in them, the 289 was far superior!

 

[playdeep]

Yeah, I was just affirming your observation.

And speaking of small British cars powered by American V-8s, my buddy Stef, a friend of mine in Albuquerque, has a Sunbeam Tiger with 7,000 miles on the odometer. Other cars in his collection are a 1966 Mustang Shelby GT-350, a 1968 Mustang Shelby GT-500KR, a 289 Cobra, and a 427 Cobra. None of these cars have been restored, they're all original.

The GT-500KR is the high mileage car of the group, it has about 45,000 miles on the odometer. The rest of them have less than 30,000 miles on them. I dunno what he paid for them, but they were all purchased before 2000. I'm pretty sure he could make a little money by selling them.



I was really grooving on his Tiger, so Stef told me I could take it for a spin. I quickly found out I couldn't fit in the damned thing.

Stef has some cool chit...
I see him putzing around in his Golden Eagle CJ-7.
...it's funny cuz he looks like a homeless guy.

 

[oldschool]

Adam Carolla made a great documentary about Shelby called, Shelby American: The Carroll Shelby Story. Actually, he’s made a few really good docs. 24 hour War, Racing life of Paul Newman and Uppity(Willy T Ribbs story).

 

[rivermobster]

Yea they are shockingly tiny. Like smaller than a MG Midget. No way I could drive one now a days, back in my youth I had to shoe horn my 230lbs into one...once! I was lean and mean back then too! Like 8% body fat mean. No joke.

Hope his is a later one with a 289 instead of the first 2 years that had 260's in them, the 289 was far superior!

Yep. A whole 29 cubic inches superior!

I'm sure you know, but for anyone that doesn't, those two engines are Exactly the same design.

 

[rrrr]

Stef has some cool chit...
I see him putzing around in his Golden Eagle CJ-7.
...it's funny cuz he looks like a homeless guy.

Yeah, Stef looks like a bum, and his brother Johnny is slicked back and driving Porsches. But Stef is a good dude, always smiling and pleasant to hang with.

When John was running the Palms construction for Gavin and his brothers, he would come to Vegas every other week for meetings. I was building a data center on 3rd and Clark downtown at the same time, so when we were both in town we would go to dinner.

We went to Ruth's Chris one night, and John's Vegas showgirl girlfriend met us there. Holy crap, she was hot X 10. We were finishing dinner, and she wanted John to go home with her. He's telling her no, he's been up since 5 AM, and so on.

So she turns to me and says "If I was your girlfriend, would you be too tired to come home with me? I thought for about two seconds, and told her "I'd come back from the dead to go home with you."

She gave me a big smile and said to John "See? You can do it." He gave me a dirty look, I just laughed.

i was hoping she would slip me her phone number, but no joy.

 

[Hammer]

Great article. I love reading the stories about innovation and triumph in racing from those days. I'm hoping one day I can visit this museum. Thanks Sirbob.

 

[SBMech]

Yep. A whole 29 cubic inches superior!

I'm sure you know, but for anyone that doesn't, those two engines are Exactly the same design.

Actually there are more than a few differences, but not as drastic as early Chevy 265 to 283 changes.

Differences noted:

First the 260 has a slightly larger intake lift on the cam (being 0.2375) than the 289 - but the HP289 was much larger..around 0.28xx). The exhaust lifts are the same for both.

The crankshaft casings are identical until 1968.

The cylinder block bore is 3.80 for the 260, and 4.00 for the 289. Note, the 260 CANNOT be bored out to accept heads from a 289 because the walls are too thin.

Intake valves are the same for both small headed engines.

The "1964" 289 had a 4v carb, unlike the 260 which has a 2v.

The combustion chamber in the 260 (EARLY) is around 45cc, whereas the 289 is 54.5. Some people (rumors) say that VERY EARLY 289s had less than 54.5cc...but I have not seen it.

The 45cc combustion (260) ratio to head is 9.9:1
The 54.5cc combustion (260) ratio to head is 8.7:1

The 289 - many early versions has over 10.x:1 for its 2v versions, and its 4v version is 11.5:1

For the 260-289 and even HP289, connecting rods and crankshafts are identical

The 260, 289, 289hp, and 302 blocks are IDENTICAL to the eye - even experienced machinists can't determine the differences without having model numbers/uncover valve covers..etc.

These reasons make the 260 feel like quite the dog compared to the 289.

 

[rivermobster]

Actually there are more than a few differences, but not as drastic as early Chevy 265 to 283 changes.

Differences noted:

First the 260 has a slightly larger intake lift on the cam (being 0.2375) than the 289 - but the HP289 was much larger..around 0.28xx). The exhaust lifts are the same for both.

The crankshaft casings are identical until 1968.

The cylinder block bore is 3.80 for the 260, and 4.00 for the 289. Note, the 260 CANNOT be bored out to accept heads from a 289 because the walls are too thin.

Intake valves are the same for both small headed engines.

The "1964" 289 had a 4v carb, unlike the 260 which has a 2v.

The combustion chamber in the 260 (EARLY) is around 45cc, whereas the 289 is 54.5. Some people (rumors) say that VERY EARLY 289s had less than 54.5cc...but I have not seen it.

The 45cc combustion (260) ratio to head is 9.9:1
The 54.5cc combustion (260) ratio to head is 8.7:1

The 289 - many early versions has over 10.x:1 for its 2v versions, and its 4v version is 11.5:1

For the 260-289 and even HP289, connecting rods and crankshafts are identical

The 260, 289, 289hp, and 302 blocks are IDENTICAL to the eye - even experienced machinists can't determine the differences without having model numbers/uncover valve covers..etc.

These reasons make the 260 feel like quite the dog compared to the 289.

Not many 289's came with a 4 barrel carb! lol

A stock 260 is 164 screaming hp. A stock 289 came with a massive 30hp increase! lol

And as we know, torque is what makes cars move down the road. The torque is identical in both of those engines. Why? Cause they both have the exact same stroke!

They ran just about the same, in stock form. The 289 with a 4bbl took to mods a bit better though. The 260 could be built to be run pretty good as well.

Well, as well as a whopping 200hp w/258ft lb engine could built to be run! They were both pretty gutless pieces.

And yeah, I've driven em both. I had a 64 Falcon Sprint back in the day. My buddie had a Falcon with a 260. Neither of our cars were stock. Pretty fun cars back then.

 

[SBMech]

Apples to Oranges really. It was more like 60HP for the 2bbl and almost 80 for the 4bbl, much less the HiPo that was a smoker! Both you could easily feel in your pants.

Man those were the days though, you could order all sorts of awesome shit to a base car, just tick off the right boxes and whoa nelly you got a monster!