2018 Carroll Shelby Tribute

6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2018 Carroll Shelby Tribute

Words By: Brandon J. O'Brien

Images By: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

It has been six year's since the passing of Carroll Shelby. Every year the Shelby American Organization has remembered him by hosting a tribute in his honor at the old Shelby Engine Production shop located in Gardena California.

An interested crowed of listeners gather around Cobra owners Hank Williams and Lynn Park, "Mr. Cobra" discussing the finer points of owning original Cobras.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This year was probably one of the better years for having a nice representation of most of the models, both old and newer, made famous through Carroll Shelby's efforts.   If you are fan of Cobra's, Shelby Mustangs, or even GT 40's there was something there to peak your interest.  

The view many Corvette racers feared.  1964 289 Cobra, CSX 2355.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1965 "427" Cobra, CSX3201 was the first of approximately 100 Cobras produced with the 428 Pl engine producing 385-hp. vs the 427's 425-hp.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Beautiful Red 1966 Shelby GT 350, 6S743.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2011 Shelby GT350.  Image Credit:  2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The "Bullitt" Prototype was on display at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit:  2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Not only is this time taken to focus on the man, his automobiles, and his Foundation it is also a time for Shelby American to show-case new vehicles it is producing at their Las Vegas production facility and announce new projects.

The current 2018 line-up of vehicles produced include the Shelby Super Snake, Shelby F-150, Shelby F-150 Raptor, F-150 Super Snake, and the Shelby 1000 Diesel.

2018 Shelby Super Snake on display at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Shelby Super Snake is newly revised for this year and can be optioned with a 800+ hp Carroll Shelby Engine.  The body has an all-new front fascia assembly including a new hood with divided hood grille and rockers to yield much improved under-hood cooling for the turbo's.  The model comes standard with a Shelby-tuned performance suspension with a track suspension available as an option.  Also available as an option is a widened body to accommodate enhanced tire width.

2018 Shelby F-150 as seen at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Shelby F-150 comes with a 755-hp Carroll Shelby Engine with direct fuel-injection. To accommodate all this power the truck comes with a sport-tuned suspension, 20 in. wheel/tire combination, and 10-speed transmission.  Visually the truck sports a Shelby designed hood, front grill, bumpers, and badging.

The F-150 Super Snake has all of the above features along with a lowered street suspension.

2018 Shelby F-150 Raptor on display at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Shelby F-150 Raptor,  designed for off-road use, has a 525-hp Carroll Shelby Engine and FOX 3" Raptor Stage 2 shock system and 6x wheels/tires.  Exterior changes include Shelby badging, Shelby Ram-Air hood, bumpers and chase rack along with interior upgrades.

The Shelby 1000 Diesel features 1000 lb/ft torque.  Enough to smoke the tires while pulling a trailer laden with a Shelby Super Snake.  The truck features both exterior and interior upgrades.

Two speciality cars were also on display and a third received it's world-wide unveiling.  The Original Venice Crew (OVC) Shelby Mustang GT 350 - Competition Model was announced in 2017.  On display was one of the two prototypes.  

Prototype OVC Shelby Mustang GT 350 - Competition Model on display at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The idea was to build the cars as close to the way it was done in 1965 except for safety items and design features that Peter Brock had on his drawing board at that time but did not have the time or budget to consummate in 1965.  

Only 36 cars will be built by Shelby American and they can be ordered with either the solid rear axle as originally supplied or with the independent rear suspension that was being tested by Ford Advanced Vehicles in 1964/65.  Visual changes include a more efficient front fascia, rear quarter windows, rear brake ducts (both features became standard on the 1966 GT 350), and revised rear window glass without the hump.  Pricing is $249,995.00

The other car on display which had been unveiled earlier this month was the 1967 GT 500 Super Snake Continuation.  Only 10 of these will be produced.  These cars will be built with a special Carroll Shelby 427 engine, 4-speed transmission, Detroit locker, and upgraded interior.  They will be serialed with Shelby serial numbers reserved back in 1967.  Pricing was announced to be $249,995.00

1967 Shelby GT 500 Super Snake Continuation model on display at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The world premier was of the most advanced Shelby American product to be produced to date.  Shelby American announced the limited production of the Shelby Series 2.  Visually based on the 1999 Series 1 this is an all new vehicle. Along with the Series 1 this is the only Shelby street vehicle that was designed from the ground up by Shelby American.  The new Series 2 will be made available either with an aluminum body (only one produced per year) or the "standard" carbon fiber body (limited to 3 per year).  

The unveiling of the Aluminum bodied Shelby Series 2 at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Front view of the Aluminum bodied Shelby Series 2 unveiled at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The buyer will have a choice of custom engine options from the Carroll Shelby Engine company attached to a 5 or 6-speed transaxle.  The suspension is based on the push rod system used in Formula 1.  All of this is mated to a honey comb aluminum chassis.  Pricing for the Carbon Fiber version will be $349,995.00 and the Aluminum bodied version will be $849,995.00.  Think of it this way - with such limited production, the value can only go up.   

In place of the Oldsmobile Aurora V8 Shelby American has been testing a Carroll Shelby Engine in Series 1 CSX 5249. Note the Formula 1 Push Rod front suspension components.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Tribute seems to get better each year.  This year there were more varied cars both on display, in and around the building and also along the street.  Assuming there will be a 2019 Tribute it will be held on May 18th.  It's not too early to put a reminder into your smart phone.

TAGS: Carroll Shelby, Carroll Shelby Tribute, Cobra, 289 Cobra, 427 Cobra, GT 350, GT 500, Motor Driven Images, Raptor, Shelby, Shelby Tribute, Shelby Series 1, Shelby Series 2, Shelby 1000 Diesel, Super Snake, Series 1, Series 2