Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and Ford Motor Company have announced they will honor the late Carroll Shelby in a public memorial set for May 30th in Southern, California. The two-day event, which will take place at the Peterson Automotive Museum, will give fans a chance to film a message about Mr. Shelby, as well as attend a special ceremony and other activities honoring the automotive legend.

"Carroll Shelby changed the course of history and touched the lives of millions through his racing, his companies and his charity," said Joe Conway, president of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and board member.  "He challenged us and our friends at Ford Motor Company to honor his legacy by continuing this work.  We wanted the first step to be a celebration of this exceptional man for everyone who shares his passion for performance."

In honor of Shelby, the museum will display the first Shelby Cobra, a 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, a selection of Shelby American's 50th Anniversary vehicles, a Series 1 and other significant Shelby cars from the past five decades.

"Carroll Shelby was a legend in the history of Ford Motor Company," said Edsel B. Ford II, member of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company.  "He was a close personal friend and I will miss him very much.  We're honored to be part of this important tribute celebrating the many contributions and achievements of a true innovator."

In addition to the public memorial, a guest list for an invitation-only service is being developed due to space limitations.  People involved with Shelby's interests, from chili cook-offs to aviation, autos, philanthropy and societal groups will be invited. Guest speakers will include Mr. Shelby's close friends.

More facts will be released on www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org and www.shelbynation.com.  Details will not be available from the Petersen Museum or any Shelby organization.

Donations to the Carroll Shelby Foundation are encouraged in lieu of flowers at www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org.

Source: Shelby American, Inc.

This week the Hertz Corporation paid homage to the late Carroll Shelby. In a statement issued by the company, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mark P. Frissora said, "Hertz has the most diverse driving options in the car rental industry, including a history of offering exciting sports and muscle cars. The genesis of our focus on driving performance and fun can be traced directly to the partnership formed with Carroll Shelby more than 45 years ago."

He added, "Carroll partnered with us on the Hertz Rent A Racer program, the forerunner to today's Adrenaline Collection, with the introduction of the Shelby GT350H,  and in 2006 we teamed up to introduce the Shelby GT-H.  An automotive visionary and a true gentleman, Carroll had a passion for making high-powered driving performance available to all Americans.  We at Hertz will ensure Carroll's impact on the U.S. automotive industry and legacy lives on and we're honored to have played a role in bringing Mustang driving excitement to rental customers throughout the US."

The first Hertz-Shelby Mustang, the GT350H, debuted in 1966. Known as the "Hertz Rent-A-Racer", this powerful race-ready Mustang became an instant hit on and off the track. Forty years after its initial introduction in 1966, Shelby got together once again with Hertz to offer up the 2006 Shelby GT-H Mustang. The car once again featured a black exterior with gold stripes.

Related

1966 Shelby GT350H Mustang - The Hertz Rent-a-Racer

2006 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-H

Test Drive: The 2012 Adrenaline Collection Hertz GT Ford Mustang

Source: Hertz Corporation

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

On April 30th, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that Ford has issued a recall for certain 2012-2013 Ford Mustangs built at Ford's Automotive Alliance Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan from October 17, 2011 through January 9, 2012.

The recall pertains to automatic transmissions in the vehicles and their reverse rear tail lamps.  According to the report, the transmissions in these vehicles may not go into reverse gear. In addition, when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse "R" position, if the vehicle's transmission does go in reverse, the backup lamp on the rear of the Mustang may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicle's not signaling it is in reverse.

This isn't the first time I've heard of issues with Ford Mustang transmissions. Last summer, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects reported it had received 32 owner complaints regarding a sudden inability to shift gears on 2011 and 2012 Ford Mustangs with manual transmissions. In November, the case was closed after a Ford investigation reported that none of the issues caused a safety risk. I have since received numerous complaints from Mustang owners, describing various transmission issues with their Mustangs. Many of these complaints were made public in the form of comments here on About Mustangs.

To get all the details of the most recent recall, read more.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Carroll Shelby, automotive legend and Mustang car builder, has passed away. According to reports, Shelby, who was 89 years old, passed away yesterday at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. The cause of death was not disclosed.

"We are all deeply saddened, and feel a tremendous sense of loss for Carroll's family, ourselves and the entire automotive industry," said Joe Conway, president of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and board member.  "There has been no one like Carroll Shelby and never will be.  However, we promised Carroll we would carry on, and he put the team, the products and the vision in place to do just that."

As fate would have it, I was on a plane traveling hundreds of miles an hour at 30,000 feet when I received the news. Just like a jet airplane, Shelby was fast, and his cars were fast. He was, and always will be, an inspiration to this Ford Mustang enthusiast from Texas. No doubt, he will be greatly missed by me, and many others around the world.

Shelby is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth and his wife Cleo.  Funeral plans are not currently available.  Donations to the Carroll Shelby Foundation are encouraged in lieu of flowers.  Information about the Carroll Shelby Foundation is available at www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org.

Related

Carroll Shelby Profile - A Profile of Automotive Legend Carroll Shelby

Photo by Jonathan P. Lamas