An awesome evening with Peter Brock and a few hundred Shelby enthusiasts at the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center. It just does not get any better than that!
On Saturday evening, May 21st, 2022, we had the opportunity to attend this very special event from 5PM to 9PM. In addition to dinner, there was plenty of time to roam around this awesome Center to bask in and see innumerable Shelby automobiles and memorabilia. However, the best part was to greet & shake hands with 'Designer Extraordinaire', creator of the world champion Shelby American Cobra Daytona Coupe, Pete Brock! He is always so gracious with his time and inspiringly humble in his manner. I consider Pete a personal friend. He has helped me to understand the history and meaning of the Cobra Daytona Coupes.
The Segerstrom museum/center is dedicated to the Shriners for Children Medical Center — Pasadena and the Carroll Shelby Foundation.
The Shriners for Children Medical Center — Pasadena provides comprehensive medical, surgical and rehabilitative care to children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burn scars, and cleft lip and palate.
The Carroll Shelby Foundation provides medical assistance for those in need, including children, as well as educational opportunities for young people. The Foundation has continued to aid children battling deadly diseases, while expanding its reach into the classroom through the Northeast Texas Community College’s Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Center.
Rather than describe this magnificent center/museum, in what you will experience here in mere words, I'll let the photos define this gorgeous Center.
The view from the second floor. By the way, that gentleman in the bottom center is none other than Ted Sutton, who these, days, is a member of the Original Venice Crew (OVC).
Peter's fascinating presentation and talk was an in-depth discussion about the origin & history of the Shelby Daytona Cobras...and a very tiny glimpse of 'what's next' for Mr. Peter Brock! I think 2023 is going to be a very special year!
Peter's presentation about the Cobra Daytona Coupes was captivating and powerful. He articulated his early days as a junior designer at GM, working on a secretive Corvette project. He also spoke about his forays into GM's document (paper in those days!) library where he learned about aerodynamics from some old German drawings, and 'boundary layers'. From these drawing is where Pete picked up on the cutoff Daytona tail, and other subtle but effective aero tweaks.
There were always politics encircling the project, especially at the start. Nobody wanted any part of this 'ugly car', so there were very few believers and far more than enough doubters. Ken Miles, for example, was an early adopter, as we say these days, and a fervent supporter. And Ken was a very gifted mechanic, development guru (not to mention as a racecar driver!). Nearly everyone on the Shelby American team had second thoughts. It wasn't until they dragged CSX2287 (the first Daytona) out to Riverside to see 'what'll she do?'. That one trip dispelled all doubts. It was still as rough as a cob, but IT WORKED, and broke the track record right off the trailer! So, development and refinement continued.
These comments from Peter that evening were just few takeaways from his talking points, and each time we speak to one another I have always come away learning something new, a correction of facts, fill-in details, or exciting news. It never ends it with Mr. Peter Brock!
And, hey Peter, if you're reading this ShelbyStory, you'll notice I personally signed the COCAOC poster on behalf of ShelbyGuy for you! On behalf of COCOAOC, and every enthusiastic Shelby American fan, Thank You!
It is always certainly great to see you, Peter! And thank you for sharing your Shelby American Daytona Coupe stories. You are clearly a hero!
Who knew!
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