Drivers Becoming Constructors: Carroll Shelby

After a racing career that peaked in 1959 with Aston Martin's victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Carroll Shelby was forced to retire due to heart problems. The American driver decided to stay in racing as a constructor by founding Shelby-American in 1961, which led to the birth of the Cobra. The starting point was the Ace, a car designed by John Tojeiro, powered by Bristol and produced by the British AC, which had impressed in 1959 at Le Mans by finishing seventh overall and first in the 2.0 class. Left without an engine supplier for the following year, AC was the perfect opportunity for Shelby, who proposed to Ford to combine the modified and stiffened English tubular chassis with the American V8 to create an explosive mix of agility and power. Only a racing champion could have envisioned this idea. Its name would be Cobra.