Shelby and Ford celebrate Valentine's Month

Shelby and Ford celebrate Valentine’s Month

Compiled by John Floyd

One of the most famous motoring love stories is the one between Carroll Shelby and Ford Motor Company which began in the 1960s. Despite Carroll Shelby’s passing in 2012, it’s a love story so powerful that it continues to be celebrated the world over with new anniversary models dedicated to the legend himself. These include the Shelby GT-H, Super Snake and the many Heritage Cars.

Love for Ford comes in many shapes and sizes but the match between Carroll Shelby and Ford stands out as a highlight, and for this reason Ford South Africa is paying tribute to its relationship with Shelby during this Month of Love. “Throughout Ford’s history, certain individuals have been destined to leave their indelible mark for all to see and experience for generations to come. Carroll Shelby was one such person - an extraordinary human being who took the world by storm through his achievements with Ford from the very beginning. It is a love story for the record books and Carroll’s fierce passion as well as his dedication still shines through Ford Motor Company and Shelby American,” says Atloli Lesela, Brand Manager at Ford South Africa. A chicken farmer by profession, Carroll also had a passion for motor racing and horsepower which earned him a spot in the US Automotive Hall of Fame. During the 1960s, he was fascinated by Ford’s V8 engine and believed that it was well-suited to all forms of motor racing. Under his own company, Shelby American, he began transforming the AC cars by fitting Ford V8 engines to them.

Click on the newspaper below to read more (see page 20).