Auto racer, builder Carroll Shelby
Carroll Shelby made his mark in the 1950s and early '60s by winning three national titles. He brought worldwide attention to United States automakers with his 1960 win at Le Mans, France.
He later became better known as the creator of the Cobra, one of the most successful cars in racing history and now a prized collector's item.
After his success on drag strips and road races in the early 1950s, the Texan won his first Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) crown in 1955, followed by a second crown in '57.
Three years after that, having won the World Manufacturers' Championship at Le Mans and the US Road Racing Club title, he retired from racing cars and began making them.
In 1962 the Cobra was born. It took the SCCA's Manufacturers' Championship away from Ferrari in 1965, the first and only US-designed car to do so.
Shelby still designs cars: The Shelby Series I sports car has just become available. He also represents and consults with various car companies.
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