THE 2016 SHELBY CRUISE-IN AT THE PETERSEN

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THE 2016 SHELBY CRUISE-IN AT THE PETERSEN

Written by Richard Morey & Ken Latka, 01/11/2016
Photography by: Richard Morey and the Petersen Museum

Hillbank, Superformance and the Petersen Automotive Museum hosted the Shelby Cruise-In Sunday January 10, 2016 at the newly renovated museum. Honoring one of the true hot rodders of our time, Carroll Shelby would have celebrated his 93rd birthday on January 11th.

The cruise-in was held on the top level of the museum’s parking structure and even though it was overcast with a chance of rain, that didn’t stop an estimated 400 plus Shelby fans from attending the event. Shelby’s creations were everywhere, from Cobras, to Mustangs, to GT40’s and more. Those in attendance got to see the very first AC Cobra (CSX2000), to the latest model Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang, and everything in between.

The Television Motion Picture Car Club was also in attendance, with members bringing a variety of vehicles for display. These included Tom Raber who displayed his 2005 Shelby Mustang custom convertible named “Gator” (photo right). Richard Morey brought his 2008 Shelby Mustang GT500 from the 2008-2009 “Knight Rider” television series. Another member, Dave Kunz, the Automotive Reporter for KABC-TV and the co-host of “The Car Show” radio show on KPFK was all smiles because he got to drive a brand new GT500 to the event.

One of member Bodie Stroud’s creations was also on display, the Mustang GT700S. Of course there is no such model offered by Ford or Shelby, but that didn’t stop Bodie from customizing a 1965 Mustang and stuffing a Coyote Eliminator engine with an Edelbrock G-Force Supercharger under the hood. The car pays homage to Carroll Shelby from nose to tail and the engine combination produces 700 horsepower, hence the GT700S name (photo to the right).

The young automotive designer and artist Deven Hitchens could be seen at the show sketching various vehicles, like a classic GT500 (photo at right). Deven is currently going to school to learn more about automotive design, so he also spent some time inside the museum, talking with one of the students from the Art Center School of Design that now has a presence on the second floor, inside the newly renovated museum.

Another TMPCC member Simone Shelby helped present the awards, and she posed with all the winners. The “Petersen Perfection” award was presented to noted Cobra enthusiast Lynn Park, for his completely original and unrestored 289 Cobra (photo right).

Even though Carroll is no longer with us, his spirit could be felt in all the creations he developed that were on display on this very special day.

© 2016 TMPCC

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