The ’65 Shelby 427 Cobra and Mustang GT350 are two of the most accomplished and celebrated vehicles in history, and Shelby’s FIA World Championship in ’65 cemented the company’s place in automotive history

The 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 (left) gave the Corvette fits in B-Production sports car racing when new and is a legend today.

Carroll Shelby International announced that the Annual Las Vegas Team Shelby Bash (April 24-27) will celebrate the 427 Cobra and Mustang GT350, as well as the American muscle car. In addition to automotive celebrities, track sessions and parties, the four-day event will culminate with the Shelby-sponsored “Make The American Muscle Car Great Again” show at the Shelby American headquarters in Las Vegas.

Team Shelby is inviting owners of all American muscle cars to participate in the Sunday car show. The Shelby sponsored “Make The American Muscle Car Great Again” show will feature awards for various categories, including for the largest club in attendance. The public is welcome to attend the show at no cost.

“Sixty years ago, the iconic Shelby 427 Cobra and Shelby GT350 were unveiled,” said Joe Conway, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Shelby American. “A few months later, Shelby American won the FIA world sports car championship and is the only time an American car company has achieved this feat. We look forward to hosting fans at Shelby American, the home of American performance, to celebrate the anniversary of this trio of automotive milestones.”

Members of the Shelby family, Shelby executives, international guests and automotive celebrities are scheduled to attend four days of festivities in Las Vegas. Full-throttle activities during the annual event will include displays of Shelby vehicles, parties, tours, a poker run, scavenger hunt, car show and more.

Participants can choose to enjoy driving sessions in their cars at Spring Mountain Raceway on Friday and Saturday. The track will also feature thrill rides in current model Shelby cars with factory test drivers, a display and tech sessions by event sponsors Michelin Tires and Torque Wheel Company, and thrill rides in a 1965 Shelby GT350.

Make American Muscle Cars Great Again! is the theme of this year’s bash and all brands are now welcome to the Sunday show. (Photo by Jim Campisano)

(Any car nut who has never ridden in a real ’65 GT350 owes themselves this pleasure. It is a mind-altering experience.)

The Friday night gathering will be a “Spirit of the 60s” party hosted by the Carroll Shelby Foundation inside the Shelby American Heritage Center. It will feature music, games, food, silent auctions and a costume contest for those wearing 1960s apparel.

“Philanthropy was an important aspect of Carroll Shelby’s life, which was why he created his charity in 1991,” said Aaron Shelby, Board Member of Carroll Shelby International, Co-President of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “Since then, the Carroll Shelby Foundation has been helping kids win the race for life through financial support for families facing serious medical issues as well as funding auto tech school scholarships. Team Shelby members are incredible patrons of the Foundation, and we’re excited to share updates with them while providing an opportunity to continue supporting its mission.”

Celebrating A Unique History

The Saturday night Shelby American banquet will honor the 60th anniversary of the Shelby GT350, Shelby 427 Cobra and FIA Sportscar World Championship. Past celebrations have been attended by luminaries including Edsel B. Ford II, Bob Bondurant, Don Prudhomme, Allen Grant, Henry Ford III and Peter Brock. Presentations will honor the people who have helped turn Shelby into an international powerhouse.

“Shelby is the only company to have worked with Ford, GM and Chrysler to create unbelievable sports and muscle cars over the years,” said M. Neil Cummings, Esq, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International, Co-President of the Carroll Shelby Foundation and CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing. “While we’re exclusively building performance vehicles based on world-class Ford cars and trucks, we embrace the entire American muscle car culture. Everyone should join us for some high octane excitement during the Shelby sponsored ‘Make The American Muscle Car Great Again’ show in Las Vegas.”

Those who wish to enter their car in the show will pay a small fee, which benefits the Carroll Shelby Foundation. The show promises to be the perfect way to cap off the event.

“The Team Shelby Bash has become one of the most anticipated enthusiast events of the year,” said Tracey Smith, Team Shelby International Director. “And thanks to our sponsors, we have the opportunity to honor three major milestones that continue to have great influence on automotive culture today. From Hollywood blockbusters to racetracks and streets around the world, the name Shelby still symbolizes a passion for high performance worldwide.”