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Posted by: Brad @ Auto Atlanta Jul 6 2011, 01:52 PM

This isn't exactly Porsche related, so I thought I would throw this in OT and see if it drummed up any discussion! For those that didn't know, Shelby did race a couple of Porsches in his early days as a driver around the beginning of the 1950s (as most did).

Ol' Shel accomplished a lot more that most people remember, or give him credit for. While I know his reputation has been tarnished as of late due to some...Legal action...I contend that it is mostly his lawyers pulling the old man's puppet strings.

Look at him with fresh eyes and decide for yourself. Can YOU think of anyone who accomplished more and started with less?

http://www.carguydad.com/carroll-shelby-shaping-history-the-man-and-his-accomplishments/

(In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote this article. If you like it, please link it elsewhere!)

Posted by: grantsfo Jul 7 2011, 05:24 PM

QUOTE(Brad @ Auto Atlanta @ Jul 6 2011, 12:52 PM)

Posted by: John Jentz Jul 7 2011, 05:33 PM

Well written, Brad.

Posted by: Brad @ Auto Atlanta Jul 11 2011, 06:48 PM

Thanks John. I appreciate the compliments!

Posted by: J P Stein Jul 11 2011, 10:02 PM

Not bad for a Texas chicken farmer, but....
Neither of the guys pictured above had an angel named Ford backing them.

Posted by: Brad @ Auto Atlanta Jul 12 2011, 07:36 PM

Well, Shel did have to use his silver tongue to convince Ford to back him. At first, all he could convince them to do was sell him engines on 100% credit. They didn't even want their names on the car until they started winning races.

He may have had Ford backing, but he had to earn it.