Shelby, a renowned sports car driver and team manager, began his involvement with Ford Motor Company in 1962 by installing a Ford engine in a British AC roadster. Named the Cobra, it went on to win the FIA Manufacturers Grand Touring World Championship in 1965, making Shelby the only American car company to ever do so.

The Shelby Mustangs of 1965 through 1970 were the products of Ford's great success with Mustang. The sporty looking sales sensation of 1964 didn't have much of a performance image, so Ford asked Shelby to help them make the Mustang successful in racing. Soon there was a factory at the Los Angeles, California airport pumping out a couple hundred GT350s a month. GT500s and other now famous Shelby Mustangs followed.

Perhaps Mr. Shelby's greatest achievement has been the establishment of the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation and its new British arm, the Shelby Transplantation Trust. Carroll Shelby has received both a heart and kidney transplant.