Carroll Shelby Celebrates Four Decades of Horsepower And Venom as Cobra Turns 40

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15 -- In early 1962 everything finally came together for Carroll Shelby and his American sports car project. AC Cars agreed to provide its lightweight and nimble chassis, Ford agreed to deliver its new 4.3-liter V8 engine, and along with Shelby's racing mind suddenly America had an incredibly successful sports car -- for the street and the track. The Shelby Cobra was born.

To honor the Cobra's milestone birthday, founder and automotive entrepreneur Carroll Shelby and the Petersen Automotive Museum will collaborate to create a historical display featuring a number of landmark Cobra models. Brought together for the first time will be significant examples, including Carroll's own famous Cobra Daytona Coupe. The six original Daytona Coupes won the World Manufacturers' Championship in 1965 and still hold title as the only American marque to grab the crown.

The special commemorative exhibit is scheduled to open to the public on Saturday, February 2, 2002 -- 40 years to the day of the actual delivery of the first Shelby Cobra prototype and run through the end of February. A VIP party honoring Carroll Shelby on the evening of February 1, for VIPs and invited guests will precede the public unveiling.

``When I first met Carroll Shelby over 40 years ago he was a chicken farmer doing some racing,'' said Robert. E. Petersen. ``We wrote a story about him in MOTOR TREND and all of sudden, he wasn't a chicken farmer anymore. He's my friend and I am proud to be here with him today. It's been a great run.''

The Shelby Cobra bested the world's racing elite and made its creator -- racing driver, car builder, constructor and entrepreneur Carroll Shelby, a household name over the last four decades. Below is a brief timeline of a few events that make him the legend he is.

     -- 1962 - Shelby creates the original Cobra Roadster, the fastest
        production car ever made at that time; 0-60 in 3.9 seconds

     -- 1965 - Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, only American car ever to win the
        FIA World Manufacturer's Championship for GT cars, beating Europe's
        best; Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar, Aston Martin

     -- 1989 - Shelby produces Cobra 427S/C Completion Cars. Shelby builds the
        first Viper chassis prototype

     -- 1991 - Shelby launches Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation that finds
        heart transplants for indigent children. Shelby inducted into
        International MotorSports Hall of Fame

     -- 1992 - Shelby inducted into the MotorSports Hall of Fame of America,
        Michigan

For more information on the 40th anniversary of the Cobra go to www.40th-cobra.com . Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. is the exclusive holder of Carroll Shelby's trademarks and vehicle design rights, which include some of the world's most famous muscle cars and high-performance vehicles. For more information about the company, call (310) 914-1843, fax (310) 914-1853, or write to Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc., 11150 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1050, Los Angeles, California 90064.