RIP Carroll: Shelby's Greatest Hits

Petrolheads are in mourning this weekend over the passing of one of the  true motoring icons: Carroll Shelby. Synonymous globally with heroically powerful American automobiles, Shelby's 89 years have contributed a wealth of legendary metal to the roads, some of it rare and exotic, some of it blue-collar and brutish. Here we give thanks and pay tribute to a life's work making the world a louder, faster, better place, and a legacy of performance, with 5 masterpieces. Thanks for the memories Mr Shelby.

5. Shelby Daytona Coupe

Often referred to as one of the most beautiful cars ever to have taken to a racetrack, the Daytona Coupe wasn't styled by Carroll Shelby,  though it was based upon his legendary AC Cobra platform. It may have been born of humble stock, but in its rather short racing life the Daytona battled the Ferrari 250 GT, and took endurance wins at Sebring, Le Mans, and in 1965, the 24 Hours of Daytona.

Just six were built before Shelby was reassigned to another famous Ford racing project. Thanks to the rarity and history of the cars, you're going to need deep pockets to call one of the originals your own. In 2009, amid world financial turmoil, chassis number CSX2601 came up for auction in the US, but didn't get close to its estimate of $10-15 million, going for a song at $7.25 million. Bargain.

Happily, you can bag yourself an excellent road-legal replica from Superperformance, a snip at $150,000.

4. Dodge Viper

Shelby's name might go hand in hand with fast Fords, and I'll be honest, I didn't know he had a hand in the Dodge Viper until I researched it, but it turns out Carroll also dabbled with America's latest and greatest supercar. Billed in 1991 as a modern-day AC Cobra (large, powerful engine in the front, manual gearbox, rear drive, and lightweight) the Viper went from motor show to showrooms in three years flat. Then it went about scaring buyers witless with its 8 litre, 400bhp V10, 180mph top speed, and all sampled with no roof, no side windows, and no electronic nannies to get you out of trouble.

Shelby was heavily involved in the design and development of the car, which has scarcely changed in two decades. A frivolous flash in the pan? 'Course not. The third gen Viper has just been unveiled, complete with 8.4 litre V10 power and 640bhp. There ain't no replacement for displacement...

3. AC Cobra

It's been mentioned twice already, so let's get right down to it and explore just why the Shelby Cobra is an instantly-recognisable classic. The story is well-known by now - Britain's AC Ace sports car was hampered by a pre-WWII German engine design which was subsequently binned in favour of a 2.6 litre Ford Zephyr motor. This was still a sticking plaster solution until Carroll Shelby pitched the idea of dropping in a 4.2 litre small block Ford V8, since the Blue Oval was keen to compete with Chevrolet's Corvette. An agreement was struck, the prototypes were completed on the double, and an icon was born. Continual evolution with 7 litre engines, wider bodies and more power persisted throughout the 1960s, with the volumptuous Cobra 427 being perhaps the most desirable. Original examples of the 164mph Ango-American road-rocket are expensive, but the car's popularity has spawned a myriad of replicas, kits cars and tributes. Here's to the 'Special Relationship' at its finest.

2. Ford GT40

Another Shelby, another Hollywood-spec story. Ford tries to buy Ferrari, Ferrari backs out, Ford swears revenge at the 24 Heures du Le Mans, Ford wins on third-time's-a-charm-attempt in 1966. But the happy ending might never have occurred had Carroll Shelby not been switched from the Daytona programme to developing the under-performing GT40, which had retired from both Le Mans and the Nurburgring 1000km in 1964. Shelby was infamously irritated by the dirty state of the cars when they arrived for his attention, incensed that the machines were not being maintained properly.  Nevertheless, his efforts were instrumental in turning the inconsistent and unreliable four-wheeled payback effort into a 7.0 litre V8 monster which took a 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in '66. Another motoring moment which may never have existed has it not been for a Texan WWII veteran and engineer. At what point does a person qualify for sainthood again?

1. Shelby Mustang GT350/500

For me, 'Shelby' is a more natural prefix to 'Mustang' than 'Ford'. The first truly sporting versions of Ford's game-changing pony car emerged in 1965, arguably marking the start of the tuning game. The '65 GT350 featured a 306bhp 4.7 litre V8 (up from 271bhp), toughened suspension, and bigger, more performance-sorted brakes. And of course, there's those stripes. The recipe was a success, and by 1968 the Mustang name was dropped altogether, becoming Shelby Cobra GT350, or GT500, depending on how full-fat you wanted your 'Stang. 1968 was also the year of the Cobra GT500-KR - the 'King of the Road', with power bumped up again to 335-360bhp. Check out this vintage road-test for some hilarious body roll and J-turn shots of the King.

Shelby Mustangs live on today, with the 2012 GT500 being the maddest yet. Its supercharged V8 gives the finger to Enzos and Murcielagos, boasting a ridiculous 662bhp, and is the first factory-spec non drag strip 'Stang to have a top speed of over 200mph. Even President Obama gave it the thumbs up at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, calling it 'sick'!

So there you have it, 5 icons all born out of the blood, sweat, tears and toil of Carroll Shelby, who passed away on Friday, 11th May 2012, aged 89. A legend, for many an American hero, and a creating lasting legacy for years to come without a doubt. If you look up to the heavens today, I might wager those aren't clouds up there, it's a certain gentleman doing a burnout through the pearly gates.

If you've any comments on your favourite Shelbys, or tributes to the man, leave a thought in the comments.