In addition to the cars showcased in our Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Preview, a collection of Shelby milestone vehicles will cross the block. Eight vehicles from the Carroll Shelby collection including concept vehicles, test mules and development units will sell on Saturday April 3rd. They include an ’06 Shelby GT-H coupe prototype (Lot #678.2), Shelby SR prototype (Lot #370.2), Ken Miles edition MKII GT40 Chassis #GT40P/2001 (Lot # 370.1), Shelby Turbo prototype (Lot # 374.2), 2007 Shelby GT Show Car (Lot# 374.1), ’88 Shelby CSX-T (Lot# 55) and ’99 Shelby Series 1 (Lot# 663.2).
Each vehicle marks a milestone in the history of Carroll Shelby’s companies. Some are unique views into a moment in a car line’s development while others represent a path not taken. Each is highly collectible and historical. Most were displayed at the Shelby factory in Las Vegas alongside Carroll’s personal collection.
The 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H coupe is the prototype for the 517 units that were built. They were fitted with a custom Shelby appearance package, Ford Racing Power Pack to add horsepower and torque to the 4.6 liter V8, suspension stiffing components, new exhaust system, special wheels, a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly and interior touches.
A pair of cars introduced last year to great fanfare will also be sold. In 2009, Shelby Automobiles unveiled the Shelby SR and the Shelby Turbo post-title packages for 4.6L V8 powered 2005-2009 Mustang GT. Both are 550 horsepower prototypes and only one of their types built.
The SR was used for a press event and appeared in numerous media stories worldwide. The car was extensively developed on the drag strip, oval and road course of Las Vegas Motor Speedway at the hands of Shelby test drivers. It was also the prototype for a new Shelby supercharger and short throw shifter.
The “Shelby Turbo” car appeared in numerous publications and on the floor of the SEMA show. It was tested at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where Shelby test drivers and media put it through its paces on the road course. We took a ride in the Shelby Turbo Mustang last fall and can tell you it is extremely fast.
Shelby will also sell a Ken Miles edition MKII GT40. This GT40 continuation is built to exacting standards with over two thirds of the rolling chassis’s parts interchangeable with an original car. The left-hand drive car has never been driven and is set up to accept a period correct Ford 427 F.E. engine and a ZF or RBT transaxle; the drivetrain is not included with the car. The car is sold with an MSO as it has never been titled.
The 2007 Shelby GT Show Car has a custom paint scheme created for display at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway “Neon Garage” during the first Shelby 427 NASCAR race in 2009. The paint scheme reflects a Las Vegas theme with familiar icons such as the Navy Thunderbirds team, a white tiger and showgirls. It is a one-off show car built to demonstrate the versatility of the car for customization and styling.
When Carroll Shelby’s good friend, Lee Iacocca, asked him to inject some performance excitement into Chrysler Corporation during the 1980s, he responded with a series of “pocket rocket” front wheel drive cars. That included a line of cars called the CSX-T using the “Shadow” body style for Thrifty Car Rental. The CSX-T was only sold to Thrifty, and 1,001 were produced. One of those cars, CSX-T 475 will be sold after a stint in the Shelby Museum.
The Shelby Series 1 was a high-performance roadster manufactured by Shelby American from 1996-2002. The car to be auctioned has a carbon fiber body, sophisticated chassis and a 4.0 liter V8 engine. Weighing 2,650 pounds, sports car went 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and recorded 12.8 in the quarter mile; top speed was 185 mph.
This was the first running car and the “pre-production” #1 Series 1 that was featured on the cover of Motor Trend, as well as various other magazine articles through 1998-99. “PP1” was used for dealer and public drives given by NASCAR legend Davey Hamilton and Shelby test driver Gary Patterson. The car is sold with an MSO as it has never been titled. The Series 1 will be listed in the Shelby World Registry
