Carroll Shelby’s Incredible Car Collection

Carroll Shelby was a passionate collector with a personal garage full of history, horsepower, and heritage. From vintage Fords to European supercars and Dodge prototypes, his 23-car collection reflected the many eras of his long and storied career. When the collection went to auction in 2018, it offered fans and collectors a rare chance to own a piece of the Shelby legacy.

1927 Ford Model T

Despite its limited power, the Model T revolutionized automobile production with Ford's assembly line innovation. Over 15 million units were produced between 1908 and 1927, making it one of the most successful cars of all time.

1931 Ford Model A Sport Coupe

Bonhams noted that the first car Shelby ever drove was a Model A, making this example a sentimental inclusion. While it may not be the exact one, it hails from the final year of Model A production.

The Model A Sport Coupe combined reliability with 1930s design flair. It sold at auction for $30,240, a relatively low price for a car with such nostalgic value.

1935 Chrysler Airflow

The Airflow featured a semi-unitized body and streamlined design that was ahead of its time. The aircraft-inspired interior and 323-ci L-head straight-eight engine further set it apart.

1955 DeSoto Firedome

Equipped with a 330-ci V8, this DeSoto Firedome wasn’t left stock for long. Shelby’s team modified the engine for enhanced performance.

The Firedome’s factory powertrain offered plenty of torque for its day. Paired with Shelby’s tuning, it became more than just a cruiser.

1965 Shelby Cobra 427

After its brief detour, the Cobra found its way back to Shelby’s personal garage. These continuation models remain highly desirable for their aluminum bodies and thunderous V8s.

1966 Shelby GT350 Convertible

Shelby built only 12 continuation GT350 convertibles in the early 1980s. This was the very first and remained in his possession until his death.

This GT350 convertible includes a bottle of nitrous oxide for added power. Shelby kept this in his private collection for over two decades.

1967 Lincoln Continental Convertible

This Continental convertible was Shelby’s version of a luxury cruiser. This specific car remained in Carroll Shelby’s personal collection for several years before being sold at auction in 2018 for $52,640.

Lincoln ended production of its four-door Continental convertibles after the 1967 model year, making this example one of the last of its kind. This particular car featured dynamic doors and a 462-cubic-inch V8 engine, standard for the model's final year.

1968 Shelby GT350

While earlier GT350s are more iconic, the 1968 model had its own flair. Shelby’s version featured updated styling and a beefier 302-ci V8.

Ford and Shelby collaborated on the 1968 GT350 to balance street performance with daily drivability. This example retained its original four-speed manual transmission and sold for $115,000 at auction.

1969 Shelby GT500 Automatic

The 1969 GT500 was the final evolution of Shelby’s Mustang line. Powered by a 428-ci Cobra Jet V8 and paired with an automatic transmission, it was built for straight-line speed.

1969 Shelby GT500 Manual

A second '69 GT500 in Shelby’s collection featured a manual gearbox. The two GT500s illustrated the contrast between performance comfort and enthusiast control.

1982 Dodge Shelby Charger Prototype

This prototype marked the start of Shelby’s partnership with Dodge. It featured a tuned 2.2L engine, tighter suspension, and sportier steering than the base model.

This 1982 Dodge Shelby Charger prototype remained in Carroll Shelby’s personal collection until his death in 2012. It featured stiffer suspension, upgraded brakes, and a close-ratio five-speed transmission, elements that would appear in later Dodge-Shelby collaborations.

1983 De Tomaso Pantera GTS

The 1983 De Tomaso Pantera GTS used a mid-mounted Ford 351 Cleveland V8 paired with an Italian-designed chassis. Shelby’s example had exceptionally low mileage and was sold at auction in 2018 for $182,560.

Only 138 Pantera GTS models were imported into the US, making them a rare sight. Shelby’s example combined 330 horsepower with a curb weight under 3,300 pounds.

1983 Dodge Shelby Ram Prototype

Shelby never produced a Dodge Ram for retail, but this prototype is proof one existed. Built in 1983, it came equipped with a 360-ci V8 and upgraded camshaft.

1987 De Tomaso Pantera GT5-S

This Pantera GT5-S served as a test bed for the original Dodge Viper project. Shelby installed a twin-turbo V8 before Dodge ultimately opted for a V10.

At the time of auction, the Pantera was sold without an engine. Even in that state, it fetched $226,240 due to its experimental role and Shelby ownership.

1987 Dodge CSX

Only 750 CSX models were made in 1987, and this one stayed in Shelby’s hands from day one. Its turbocharged 2.2L engine delivered 175 horsepower.

The 1987 Dodge CSX was Shelby’s take on a lightweight, front-wheel-drive performance car. It featured a Shelby-tuned suspension and upgraded ECU for sharper handling and improved throttle response. Fewer than 1,000 units were produced, making it a rare piece of Shelby's Mopar legacy.

1987 Dodge Shelby Charger GLH-S

As production of the Shelby Charger wound down in 1987, Shelby introduced the GLH-S. Just 1,000 units were made, and Shelby owned serial number one.

The 1987 Dodge Shelby Charger GLH-S was the final evolution of the Shelby Charger series. The GLH-S acronym stood for “Goes Like Hell, S’more,” reflecting its performance boost over the standard GLH model.

1987 Dodge Shelby Lancer

Shelby reportedly used this as his personal daily driver in California. It was the very first of just 800 units ever made.

The 1987 Dodge Shelby Lancer was the first Shelby vehicle to feature a CD player as standard equipment, a rarity in American cars at the time. Despite being Shelby’s personal daily driver, it changed hands at auction for less than $9,000.

1988 Dodge Shelby Dakota Prototype

Built in 1988, this prototype previewed the Shelby Dakota, which entered limited production the following year. The vehicle featured a lowered suspension, revised bodywork, and a 5.2L V8 engine, elements later seen in the production model.

The prototype featured custom bodywork, Shelby badging, and unique alloy wheels not seen on the base model. Limited-slip differential and trans cooler completed its performance package.

1989 Dodge CSX VNT

The CSX VNT was the final Dodge to wear Shelby branding. Only 500 were built, featuring a Variable Nozzle Turbo for optimized boost control.

All versions of this model were equipped with a Garrett VNT turbocharger that varied boost response in real time. This was the first application of such technology in a US market production car.

1997 Shelby Aurora Can-Am

This Can-Am prototype race car featured an Oldsmobile Aurora V8 engine. Shelby planned it as a performance concept linked to his Series 1 road car.

1999 Shelby Series 1

The Series 1 is the only car Shelby ever designed and built entirely from the ground up. This first example was supercharged to produce 600 horsepower.

It was the most expensive car in the 2018 Bonhams auction, selling for $313,000. Lightweight and aggressive, it embodied Shelby’s late-career vision.

2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR

Ford presented this GT500KR to Shelby for his 85th birthday. It was the first 2008 model produced and had only 150 miles on the odometer at auction.

“KR” stood for “King of the Road,” a title Shelby had used decades prior. With updated tech and Shelby styling, it honored his racing legacy.

2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Super Snake

This 750-horsepower GT500 Super Snake was one of the last cars Shelby ever owned. Its performance made it a fitting final act in his legendary career.