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AACA Museum's Shelby Retrospective - A Glance To The PastModified Mustangs & Fords stops by the AACA Museum and its Shelby Retrospective From the January, 2012 issue of Modified Mustangs & Fords By Dan Reiter Photography by Dan Reiter
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The center cluster in the... The center cluster in the display is a representation of the Shelby Mustang production based out of Dearborn and Ford's direction of manufacture. The ’68 G.T. 500KR marks the introduction of the Cobra-jet engine, and the '69-'70 Shelby Mustangs are the end of the original production run. In 2006, Ford resumed the marque’s production with the GT 500, and soon after, the new Shelby company in Las Vegas started to add its own versions, including the displayed '07 GT-H Hertz version. The AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, headquarters to the Antique Automobile Club of America, has long had featured displays about special segments of American automotive production. Past displays include everything from woodies, to micro cars, to "cars of the stars," busses, and more. These displays are part of the museum's purpose to preserve and display the history of the American automotive heritage. In the fall of 2010, a national-level Shelby convention held it's car show on the lawn of the museum, and the idea was born for the museum to have a display featuring the cars of Carroll Shelby. All years, varieties, and types were to be displayed. While the car show was going on, the curators looked at the cars, and selected many from the show they wished to display. Most owners were happy to oblige, so the bulk of the Shelby vehicles on display were cars local to the museum, and most have never been in a museum before. Thus the display, which ran this year from February to April, was very fresh when it came to content. The crux of the display is to provide a chronological history of all Shelby production from the beginning to the present, and feature all the varieties. Not on display at the time of this article was written were a Series-1, and a Dragonsnake 289 Cobra, since added. The central feature is a curving wall with various ads, documents, posters, and other information providing a timeline of all the cars, racing, and special projects. The display is separated into four main areas, starting with the California years (1962-1967), the Dearborn cars (1968-1970, and 2006 to present), the Shelby race cars on the curved display, and a feature unique to this exhibit, a representation of the Chrysler Shelby vehicles, manufactured in the mid 1980s. In all, between 18-20 vehicles were on display, telling the Shelby story. Today, though, the Shelby story begins and ends with Ford power. The crux of the display is to provide a chronological history of all Shelby production from the beginning to the present, and feature all the varieties. The central feature is a curving wall with various ads, documents, posters, and other information providing a timeline of all the cars, racing, and special projects.  Probably one of the most famous...  Probably one of the most famous 427 Cobras, the late Dick Smith's CSX3035 race car, was clocked at 198 mph at Daytona. This is probably the most successful, privately campaigned 427 Cobra in existence.  A corner of the display is...  A corner of the display is set up to replicate a 1965 Ford showroom featuring two '65 Shelby offerings. Here is a pristine '65 G.T. 350 and a CSX2000 289 Shelby Cobra as you would find in 1965.  The two '67 GTs show the beginning...  The two '67 GTs show the beginning of the trend to develop the car into more of a luxurious cruiser, with upscale interior appointments, more options, and changes to the body, often acting as a styling precursor to the next Mustangs. Also in 1967, the G.T. 500 debuted, having the 428 engines available.  Chuck Cantwell, an engineer,...  Chuck Cantwell, an engineer, testdriver, and race driver for Shelby Automotive back in the 1960s, has his own '66 G.T. 350 on display. Chuck served as a guest curator and advisor for the display.  Here is the precursor to the...  Here is the precursor to the Cobras, the AC Ace. This vehicle is a '57 model with racing history including Sebring and many local races. A careful examination of this car shows many clues to the '62 Cobras.  A whole wall is dedicated...  A whole wall is dedicated to the Shelby California production, starting with the 289 Cobra, and ending with a '67 G.T. 500, the last of the Shelby-produced cars from California. Featured in this row include a '65 R-Model G.T. 350, Hertz G.T. 350H, and other pristine examples from that era.  A unique and prominent feature...  A unique and prominent feature of the entire display is the curving wall, which has a timeline of all the Shelby vehicles and events starting in the late 1950s. It serves as a walking guide and great source of information.  One of the 39 '65 G.T. 350...  One of the 39 '65 G.T. 350 R-Model cars built is displayed. This car has a competition history, and is still raced at vintage events today.  During the opening reception...  During the opening reception for the display, Ron Richards, current CEO of SAAC, talked about the club's function and existence, and how it has helped preserve the knowledge and legacy of the Shelby cars.  Also in the exhibit are staged...  Also in the exhibit are staged showcases of rare Shelby literature, books, and information on all of the cars, as well as information about SAAC (Shelby American Automobile club), which is the "keeper of the flame," and maintains a detailed registry on all the original Shelby Vehicles.  Also in the exhibit are staged...  Also in the exhibit are staged showcases of rare Shelby literature, books, and information on all of the cars, as well as information about SAAC (Shelby American Automobile club), which is the "keeper of the flame," and maintains a detailed registry on all the original Shelby Vehicles.  VIP guests included (left...  VIP guests included (left to right) Brant Halterman from Virginia Classic Mustang (his '65 G.T. 350 is behind), Chuck Cantwell, and Dan Reiter from the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, region of SAAC, and also advisor for the display.  Greeting all visitors as they...  Greeting all visitors as they walk in are two gleaming red Shelby convertibles on turntables in the AACA museum lobby.  Greeting all visitors as they...  Greeting all visitors as they walk in are two gleaming red Shelby convertibles on turntables in the AACA museum lobby.  Other special Shelby race...  Other special Shelby race cars are also on display, including a '68 Shelby Team Trans-Am Mustang, and a King Cobra (Cooper Monaco with a Ford 289ci V-8 engine).
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