The once-in-a-lifetime Carroll Shelby Gala Reception, hosted by the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) and supported by the TAD Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Automobile Dealers Association (TADA), is just one week away. To be held on the evening of February 10 in the Metro Convention Centre, where the CIAS will open to the public two days later, it will be your one and only chance to meet and mingle with the man himself in the presence of many of his famous colleagues and more than 40 of the most important vehicles in his long career.
Among the treasures will be:
• Allard J2X – As a driver on his way up, Shelby first raced a Cadillac-powered Allard in 1952, impressing upon him the potency of a big American V-8 in a lightweight British sports car – a concept he subseque
ntly put to World-Championship use;
• 1962 Cobra CSX 2002 – The second Cobra built and the first “works” racer, driven by such notables as Dan Gurney and Ken Miles and subsequently campaigned in Canada by Eppie Wietzes.
• Cobra “Daytona Coupe” CSX 2299 – One of only six built, and arguably among the most important cars in American racing history, this is the car driven to GT Class victory at Le Mans in 1964 by Bob Bondurant and Dan Gurney; a sister car sold at auction last year for (US) $7.5-million;
• 1965 Shelby GT 350 – One of just 562 first-year Shelby Mustang variants produced and the purest essence of Shelby’s vision, it dominated SCCA production-class racing and still defines the brand;
• Ford GT 40 Mk. I (P1037) – This car, acquired through Shelby American by Canadian racing impresario Chuck Rathgeb’s Toronto based Comstock Racing, was raced in 1966 and 1967 by Canadian drivers Eppie Wietzes and C
raig Fisher
• Ford GT40 Mk. IV (J-Car) – The seventh of ten built, this one was raced just once by Mario Andretti and Lucien Bianchi, and crashed by Andretti, at Le Mans in 1967, where A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney drove its sister car to victory - after which Ford withdrew from international sports car prototype racing.
And more, much more, including more recent Shelby creations, like the Shelby Mk I Roadster, as well as Dodge Vipers and a “full suit” of Shelby Mustangs from ‘65 through the present.
Not only will it be a never-again opportunity, by attending you will be helping two worthy charities. The TAD Foundation will generously donate the net proceeds of the gala event to the Carroll Shelby Foundation and the Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation.
The Carroll Shelby Foundation (originally called the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation) was founded by Shelby in 1991, following years of heart-related difficulties, which culminated in his own successful heart transplant. Specifically, the organization is dedicated to providing assistance for acute coronary and kidney care for young people who share many of the same afflictions Shelby endured.
Shelby, who waited years before receiving his own heart transplant, was keenly aware of the difficulties and expense involved in heart surgery and the often-lengthy process to locate a suitable donor organ. He created the Foundation because he realized that many needy children would have their lives cut short without some type of financial assistance.
The Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation was established last summer with the purpose of creating a long-term home to house the country's important motorsport collection and safeguard its history. To that end it is in the process of completing the Canadian Motorsports Heritage Museum at 40 Carl Hall Road at Downsview Park in Toronto. The Museum will house the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame and its vehicles (The Canadian Automotive Collection) as well as the Canadian Motorsport Archives. It will provide a state-of-the-art interactive museum experience offering an exciting array of entertainment options to visitors, members, partners and sponsors.
As every auto enthusiast knows, Carroll Shelby, a legendary race driver himself, is the builder of the Cobra sports cars and driving force behind the Shelby Mustangs and other Shelby vehicles. He will be initiated into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of fame as its first International Member at the event.
There will also be a live auction of various Shelby-related items, including a 2011 Ford Shelby GT 500, with Shelby’s autograph prominent on the hood, generously donated by the Toronto Ford Dealers Association.
Tickets for the Carroll Shelby Gala Reception are still available for $150 each. Further information can be found and ticket reservations can be made at www.autoshow.ca/shelby.
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