Vanderbilt Cup Races

On June 5, 2003, I purchased my first collectible automobile -a 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H at Christie's Collectors' Car Auction & Exhibition at Rockefeller Center, New York.  I immediately began researching Shelby Mustangs  and collecting Shelby Mustang memorabilia.

Two years after my purchase, Lime Rock Park announced that automotive icon Carroll Shelby would be featured as part of the Rolex Vintage Fall Festival. On Saturday, September 5, 2005, I removed the sun visor from our Shelby Mustang. Roz and I headed north, hoping to meet Carroll and receive a special autograph.

Upon arriving at Lime Rock, we headed directly to the Rolex tent where Carroll was scheduled to appear in one hour. There were no lines and I was thrilled that I would soon meet Carroll Shelby.   It was very disappointing when the guard informed me that all the Carroll Shelby "meet and greet" tickets had been distributed and there were no more available.   I decided to at least wait to see Carroll Shelby in person.

One hour later, 70 people, all wearing wristbands, were waiting patiently on line holding photos, fenders, visors and assorted Mustang parts. Carroll Shelby and two of his associates  arrived at the signing table. The signing began and Shelby's two associates walked away from the tent.  Then, I had a great idea!

I ran after the two associates, a man and a woman. I caught up to them and asked: "Are you with Carroll Shelby?" With the expected affirmative answer, I stumbled out that I had come all the way from Long Island to meet Carroll Shelby and was looking forward to meeting him since " I have a vis ......check to give him for the Carroll Shelby Foundation." The woman responded in her British accent: "If you have a check for Carroll, I will personally introduce you to him. In 45 minutes, please meet me at the table."

I ran to find Roz and told her that we were going to meet Carroll Shelby! About 30 minutes later, we met up with the woman at the table. She was very personable and noted that she loves to watch Carroll at these signings.

I than realized that we had no idea who we were talking to. I asked her: "By the way, how are you related to Carroll Shelby?" She smiled, leaned over and whispered: "I am married to him!"   It was Cleo Shelby. 

Cleo introduced Roz and me to Carroll: "Howard and Roz have something special for you." I was ready to show him the sun visor and then I remembered...the check!

Here, I am handing Carroll a check for his Foundation.

I then asked Carroll if he could sign my Shelby Mustang sun visor and a photo that I carried in my wallet. Cleo Shelby can be seen on the far right.

The visor still is displayed with this special signature.

After sending the Shelbys a copy of the Lime Rock photo, I soon received this signed image in the mail. It reads:

"Thanks to you Howard &  Roz "God Bless You" Carroll Shelby."