The annual 2017 Carroll Shelby Cruise-In was held on Sunday morning, January 15, 2017 at the Petersen Automobile Museum in Los Angeles, California [www.petersen.org]. In what has become an annual event in honor of Carroll Shelby and his automobiles, this January date is connected to Carroll's birthday: January 11. This year, Carroll would have been 94 years old. Clearly, though, Carroll was certainly present in spirit!
For a few of us, the day started early because I was joining a couple of other cars for the drive up to attend the Show....time to wake the neighbors!
I joined up with Rick Holada with his CSX Cobra Roadster, and Rick's long-time friend and neighbor Phil Caliva, driving his 327 Chevy-powered Austin-Healy 3000. We took the cars up to the Museum from Redondo Beach, 'the-long-way' along Pacific Coast Highway. This enabled us to "air 'em out" on the way to the Show.
Early arrivals...that's Sandy's Shelby Series 1 on the left, Rick's Cobra Roadster, ShelbyGuy's Daytona, and Phil's Healey on the right.
Phil's Austin-Healey
Healey cockpit
Rick's CSX4000 Cobra Roadster
ShelbyGuy's Daytona
Paul's beautiful Daytona Cobra Coupe, as near an exact duplicate as can be made, from scratch, totally period-correct, including radium-tipped aircraft switches in the center stack. Magnificent! The craftsmanship is stunning and the result is georgous!
And about now is when Shelbys, Cobras, Tigers, Panteras, GT40s and others began to descend upon the Petersen. Incoming! Including Bruce's Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving "School Car".
What follows is a pictorial review of the variety of Shelby automobiles with their enthusiastic owners and an excited crowd. Also of note is the warm welcome these folks receive as guests of the Petersen Museum. We were all treated to a very well organized Show, along with fresh, hot coffee and a huge assortment of bagels and cream cheeses. Thank you very much, Petersen Museum!
Bruce was 'speeding' through the parking deck looking for a good place to park the 'School Car'.
Phil's 'hood work' on the Healey
Yep, that's ShelbyGuy's Daytona!
Rodney's Twin Supercharger Cobra or as Cosby said in a skit years ago, "Dual everything!"
All in all a fun time at a great show and venue...among Shelby's automobiles and enthusiasts.
Happy Birthday, Carroll!
