The Last Shelby Cobra

As former Engineering Vice President at the Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corporation, Chris Theodore worked closely with Carroll Shelby on such vehicles as the Dodge Viper, Ford GT, Shelby Cobra Concept, Shelby GR1, and Shelby Mustang GT500. Production vehicles developed under his direction include the Chrysler Minivan, PT Cruiser, Plymouth Prowler, 2002 Thunderbird, 2005 Ford GT and Mustang, among many others. During his tenure at Ford and Chrysler, Chris developed a close friendship with Carroll Shelby. He holds BSME and MSME degrees from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from Michigan State University. He has had a lifelong passion for all things automotive, and is often credited as the ‘Father of the 2005 Ford GT.’

• ForwardPrologue: Describes why I wrote this bookChapter 1: From Boyhood Hero to Automotive Legend•A summary of Shelby’s career•Criteria to become a legend•Why Carroll is one of the few who meets the criteria.Chapter 2: The Legend and a New Snake•First meeting Carroll•Carroll’s involvement with Chrysler•Shelby’s role in the development of the Dodge ViperChapter 3: The Courtship of Carroll and Ford•The intriguing backstory behind reuniting Shelby and FordChapter 4: Project Petunia•2005 Ford GT, Shelby’s first official roleChapter 5: Codename Daisy•Carroll’s involvement in “Daisy,” the Shelby Cobra ConceptChapter 6: Shelby GR1•Carroll and the Shelby GR1, successor to the legendary Shelby Daytona.•The stillborn efforts to put Daisy and GR1 into productionChapter 7: Project Condor•How Shelby’s name finally appeared on a Ford product - the Shelby GT500Chapter 8: Shelby GTs•The untold story of the ill-fated Shelby GT, a worthy successor to the Ford GT•How the Hertz Shelby Mustang GTH led to the introduction of the Ford Mustang Shelby GTChapter 9: Super Snakes•Our efforts to create and Shelby Super Snake II Cobra•Shelby American’s introduction of the Super Snake MustangsChapter 10: Interesting Interests•In the midst of the “Great Recession,” I try to capture Carroll’s multi-faceted personality; his curiosity, interests, storytelling, humour, connections, temperament, stubbornness, vanity, charm, philanthropy, controversies, wisdom and friendshipChapter 11: Unfinished Business•The 2010 Shelby GT500•Shelby GT350•Progress on Super Snake II•Plans for a new line of Shelby Cobras and Daytonas•Carroll’s untimely deathChapter 12: Kismet•The Shelby Tribute•Shelby American’s ongoing operation•The serendipitous circumstances leading “Daisy,” the last Shelby Cobra coming home•Thanks to Carroll for the memoriesEpilogue•Lessons from Carroll•The future of “sport” carsAcknowledgments•Thanks to the many contributors who helped make this book possible, starting with Edsel Ford IIAppendix:•Letter from Roy Lunn•Dan Gurney tribute speech•Project team members: Viper, Petunia, Daisy, GR1, GT500