Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Established: August 17, 1962
Founder(s): Carroll Shelby

Few other names are as synonymous with performance as that of Carroll Shelby. The legendary car maker’s mark on American sports cars and racing is indelible. Shelby raced cars in the 1950s, winning the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans and he set several international speed records along the way. At Le Mans he noticed the performance of an English GT car, the AC, which later became the AC Cobra or Shelby Cobra. The accomplishments of these cars on the raceway meant that they were the only competitions Ferrari ever feared, and they feared them with good reason. Shelby went on to help build the GT40 and a lineage of Mustangs bearing his name that would become some of the most valuable muscle cars in history.

The Shelby name is also borne on performance models from Dodge and, without Shelby, the now legendary Viper would not be what it is. With Shelby’s passing in 2012, the end of an era marked by more than 50 years building the greatest, fastest American cars, has passed. Fortunately for us, the cars that have his influence and name upon them will last for generations to come.