Thread: Carroll Shelby, Legendary King of Speed, Dead at 89

Carroll Shelby, driver and automotive legend, died today, May 11, 2011, at the age of 89, due to complications from an illness. Rumor has it that he had been in the hospital for several weeks suffering from pneumonia. Throughout his childhood he suffered poor health but by his teenage years, his health had improved. After serving in World War II as a flight instructor and test pilot, he became a driver for companies such as Allard, Aston Martin, and Maserati. He actually won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Aston Martin in 1959, his last year of driving.

After driving, he began doing was his was ultimately known for, building various fast cars. He could take an ordinary automobile and reinvent it into something extraordinary. He created amazing iconic machines like the Shelby Cobra and the infamous “Eleanor”, a 1967 Shelby GT500 that was one of the main starts besides Nicholas Cage in the 2000 movie, Gone in 60 Seconds. He will forever be remembered for his beautiful fast machines, charitable personality, and most importantly, his one-of-a-kind heart.


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Truly an automotive icon!! He will be missed

Rest in Peace, Mr. Shelby.

A true Automotive great! His legacy of creating fast cars will live on. May he rest in peace.

Just seen this jewel last week on the North Shore of Long Island NY .

I was watching a documentary of him and his car and I was laughing that he wanted to give an impression that he had produced many vehicles so he took the same vehicle and painted it a different color for every magazine event .