Shelby Car Museum a local gem

There is a museum of cars right here in Gunbarrel, that according to its website, "has some of the rarest, most valuable and authentic cars on display anywhere in the world."

The Shelby American Collection Car Museum has been right here in our neighborhood at 5020 Chaparral Court for over 28 years. The museum was founded almost thirty years ago by five gentlemen, including those who raced Shelby vehicles. It was opened in this location, "just because we all live here," said Steve Volk, co-founder and current Executive Director.

In addition to this vast and deep collection of authentic race cars (no rebuilds or imitations), that includes the earliest racing vehicles that Carroll Shelby built for the Ford Motor Company beginning in 1965, the Shelby American Collection Car Museum also houses an array of memorabilia that includes art, historic photos, and original race records. On display are the histories of the ground-breaking creatives, in addition to Shelby, that include Enzo Ferrari, Henry Ford and others.

A newer addition to the museum is the Event Center which houses the museum's Ford GTs and GT40s. This space is available to the public for booking private events.

One especially poignant tribute stands sentinel inside those doors. There is a bronze bust of the pioneering driver Ken Miles. For Shelby car enthusiasts, or simply fans of the movie, "Ford v Ferrari," this man is readily recognized as the iconoclastic driver and innovator who not only led the first Shelby team to victory at Le Mans, France (over the entitled and multi-victorious Ferrari team), in 1966, but also won at Daytona and Sebring that year.

Next to the bust there is a glass case that is extremely moving because it houses not just photos of Ken Miles and racing memorabilia, but also the doors from the J car he was test driving at speeds of two hundred miles per hour at the Riverside Raceway the day he died.

According to the movie, it was brake failure that caused the crash, but in reality, he was actually ejected as the car broke apart. Extensive redesign followed. This story is but one of many that can be found, in addition to all the magnificent cars, housed at the museum.

The museum came into being in 1996 but the real impetus was from the man, himself, Carroll Shelby. The museum's founders, Steve Volk and Bill Murray (Murray Racing in Longmont), had accumulated a warehouse of Shelby cars, parts and memorabilia when they met Shelby himself, and quickly became fast friends. Upon becoming familiar with their collection, Shelby reportedly left a message on Volk's message machine, saying "What are you going to do with all those [bleeping] Cobras? You oughta open a museum!"

Alongside the vast car collection, the museum pays tribute to Shelby, the Texan, who changed the face of American cars and racing into a world renowned performance-driven player. He would have preferred to continue racing, but a heart condition changed his life's direction.

When an ambitious Lee Iacocca brought him into a relationship with Ford Motor Company, he was provided with resources that allowed him to change the landscape of American racing. It was his original Cobra design, his favorite, that paired the British racing chassis with the powerful American V-8 engine design.

That synthesis quickly became a winner. From the evolution of the Cobra to the Shelby Mustang, the muscle car was introduced into the U.S. From Ford, Shelby went on to GM to build the Chevelle, and then the Charger. He won the World Manufacturers Championship. He overcame his health issues, the egos in Detroit, and engineering obstacles to become an enduring legend and American success story. The museum is a living embodiment of his legacy.

With its non-profit status, the museum works hard to cover its expenses and continue its work. One way it does so is to host a raffle for one of the stellar Mustang cars that Ford still makes. This year, the museum is celebrating, along with Ford, the 60th anniversary of the Mustang by raffling a brand new 2022 Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition with 760 horsepower in Brittany Blue with white and blue pinstriping, customized by Ford Performance. It comes equipped with a Carbon Fiber Track Package, GT4 track wing and Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tires. There is an additional $25,000.00 cash prize to "help with the taxes."

Tickets for the raffle are offered in many different packages starting at $25. Tickets may be purchased online by clicking here.

The raffle closes at midnight on Aug. 25. The winner will be announced at the drawing on Aug. 31, at 6:00 p.m. at the museum's 28th Anniversary Annual Car Show and Party, which will run from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. that day. There will be Shelby American Team members, special speakers, and an autograph session. In addition, tickets include dinner, an open bar, and a commemorative poster. Tickets for this event may be purchased here.

Attendees are invited to bring their own Shelby, Mustang or "any cool collector car to show off in the car show."

Also, the monthly Cars and Coffee Event will be Aug. 17 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. It is free and open to the public.