Carroll Shelby as we know is one of the most iconic names in the automotive industry. Today, the name is mostly associated with the latest and the greatest GT500 models from Ford. The man has impacted the performance world to such an extent that his influence will be felt by enthusiasts for as long as cars move us from one place to another.

Born in 1923, Shelby took part in his very first race, a quarter-mile drag, in 1952 and then went on to win his first road race in an MG-TC later that year. By 1956, Shelby had garnered enough race wins to
earn the title “Driver of the Year” from Sports Illustrated. Shelby began his long-running relationship with the Ford factory in 1965 after which the company ended the partnership and the man remained mostly quiet in the automotive industry until the 1980s. He was also involved heavily with both the Dodge Viper and Ford GT programs and was inducted into the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

Shelby was recognised as one of the world’s oldest and longest living double transplant patients. He received a heart transplant in 1990 followed by a kidney transplant in 1996. He created the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation to help young people who need help with medical care and transplants which continues today as the Carroll Shelby Foundation. He is survived by his wife, Cleo, and three children from his first marriage – Sharon, Michael, and Patrick. Funeral services have not been announced.

via autoblog