I was lucky, not only did I grow up during this period of great cars, but I even had the pleasure of working in the industry for a good while. And got to know many of those legendary guys. Sadly I never met Carroll Shelby. I wish I did, but I can say I certainly know him... from his contributions to the automotive world. And the impact he made on many of us who love and still drive those legendary cars.
I don't know what was said at his funeral or what is on his tombstone but I can tell you that his true epitaph is in the sweet rumble of a “Shelby” pulling into the "Cruise In".
Nothing else like it.
Nothing!
By now I am sure everybody has heard that Carroll Shelby has passed. A sad milestone indeed. In my youth everybody knew of Carroll Shelby, mostly from his Mustang heritage. I was a street and strip aficionado and to me, if a car didn't have over 400 cubic inches, well it just wasn’t a contender! And the “hot” Mustangs of the day sported a beefed up 289 small block engine. I remember well the first time I saw one in a friends Mustang... it was so small it looked cute, quaint even. In fact a short time later my friend totaled the Mustang and I inherited its bucket seats for my “bench seat” Falcon "run around car". Of course I had heard of Carroll Shelby, everybody had. And a short time later I saw my first AC Cobra at a car show. Now that got my attention! To think he actually shoe horned a monster 427 Cubic Inch motor into that tiny car... that really amazed me. A real suicide machine that! But sexy! WOW!
Carroll Shelby came up with some marvelous cars... mostly Fords but Chrysler products also. Over the years, whenever I was at a car show or a cruise in, if there was a Cobra or a Shelby GT Mustang in the corral, I always took time to look it over. You simply couldn't help but admire the guy. First he was an accomplished driver, then a builder and ultimately found his calling as a designer.
Back when most of the big name guys were coming up with ways to hop up an existing car, he was building them from the ground up.... That Cobra Mustang is a far cry from its production line counterpart!
You are cordially invited to the Memorial Day Ceremony on May 28, 2012 at 12 pm at the Military Wall of Honor in Downtown Waxhaw.
Gatsby Gala-
Museum of the Waxhaws
Fund Raiser
Waxhaw, NC
- On Saturday evening, June 2, 2012, the Museum of the Waxhaws invites you to travel back in time to the Roaring 20’s and the world that F. Scott Fitzgerald described at the
“Gatsby Gala” at the Henry Hall Wilson House at 1301 Franklin Street in Monroe.
The Henry Hall Wilson House, which is on the national historic registry was built in 1926-1927 by a Charlotte architect Louis D. Sutherland… The mansion was the setting for many gala social occasions in the late twenties and early thirties. Extensive use was made of the third floor ballroom and the outdoor gardens for entertaining.
Gatsby Gala-
Museum of the Waxhaws
Fund Raiser, continued:
That tradition will continue for attendees at the Gatsby Gala. Attendees are invited to wear their best “Great Gatsby attire, to reinforce the theme of the evening.
The event will feature live music by Walter Phillips and Jan Ringleing. Festivities begin at 7 PM with a happy hour, and continue with both dancing in the ballroom and card and casino games in the garden.
Hot and cold Hors D'oeuvres and a cash bar are available throughout the evening. There will be a drawing for raffle prizes, and at 10 PM, the top players of the games will be announced.
The proceeds of the Gatsby Gala will benefit the Museum of The Waxhaws. Tickets are $75 per person and $150 per couple. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.museumofthewaxhaws.com. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
The Museum of the Waxhaws is dedicated to the premise of presenting historically accurate experiences to student groups and visitors, showcasing the local culture, history and its relevance to our nation as it was being formed. The museum offers a variety of visual and interactive historical displays and arenas that portray life in the Waxhaw’s and the surrounding region from the time of its Native American inhabitants up to the early Twentieth Century.
There's a bingo fundraiser for the Perez family Saturday evening at the Cureton Clubhouse in Waxhaw. In January 2012, Robert Perez was diagnosed with an inoperable Stage 4 Glioblastoma (brain cancer) and will soon lose his health insurance.
All of Waxhaw should be playing three cards given that price and the cause.
For more info or to donate, his friends have set up aweb page >.
