"Unlike the Cobra where he actually worked on the garage floor, Shelby turned development of the prototype and the race car over to members of his company staff. So really, other than getting some money and appearing in some ads, his direct involvement was minimal."
So according to you, Shelby worked on the floor turning wrenches with the hired help? I've seen alot of photos and always the workers were turning wrenches, never Shelby himself. Shelby was the CEO of his company and would be too busy to mount tires, add parts, paint cars, etc. Who do you think developed the Mustang and Cobra? Read some books and you will find he didn't develop anything other than the first Cobra. You may not know but from 1968 on, Shelby didn't even build the Mustangs with his name on them. A.O. Smith of Ionia, Michigan built them. Like I said, its a matter of degree and I showed Shelby's involvement is more than minimal.
"shelby's actual involvement is well documented.. i think a lot of tiger guys make more out of it than it was to try and increase the value of the cars.. the "shelby glow".. as i have also said in the past.. the "SUNBEAM" name actually has more pedigree than "shelby" sunbeams were advanced grand prix winning cars.. shelby cars are always stock cars with larger motors (hot rods for want of a better word)"
Funny you bring up the pedigree of Sunbeam. I recently bought a book published by Haynes in the UK that lays out the claim that AC is mostly forgotten for the success of the Cobra. The AC Ace had a successful racing career befroe the Cobra. According to the author, AC deserves equal billing if not more for the success of the Cobra.
I'm not trying to increase the value of my car, I'm just laying out the facts. You will believe what you want, inspite of the facts.