It takes a pretty powerful force to pull my eyes off an electronic screen for more than a few minutes. Driving can do it. So can riding a motorcycle or going on a walk with the family. And of course, an engaging book can still have me consuming information the old fashioined way.
And that's just what The Complete Book of Shelby Automobiles by Colin Comer is. As an in-depth look at perhaps the most interesting series of cars, built by arguably America's most interesting automotive icon, this hardbound tribute to Carroll Shelby's vehicles is over 250 pages of historic (and modern) photos, facts and fun.
Yeah, it was published last year, but I only recently have had the time to dive in and enjoy it. My full review is after the jump.
Despite what I considered an extensive familiarity with Shelby vehicles I was still amazed by the breadth of cars one man has influenced. Sure, we all know about the Ford Cobras and Mustangs. And most automotive enthusiasts know about Carroll's involvement with the GT40, the Dodge Viper and even the Dodge Chargers, Shadows and Dakotas of the 1980s.
But did you know the Sunbeam Tiger was also a Shelby design? How about the connection between Shelby and the Toyota 2000GT? This book covers them all, along with the Series 1, the new Ford GT and the (unfortunately) stillborn GR-1 concept car, among others.
The historic photos could be the most compelling aspect of the book, but even they can't overwhelm the obvious enthusiasm transmitted in every sentence by author Colin Comer. An avowed classic car fanatic and owner/racer of a GT350, Mr. Comer doesn't just admire these cars, he lives with them on a regular basis and has many first-hand perspectives to share.
At $45 The Complete Book of Shelby Automobiles isn't cheap, but even that price feels justified when you consider the hefty size (10x11 inches), high-quality paper stock and rare photography. Better still, Amazon has it for less than $30, which is a certified bargain.
If you fancy yourself an expert on Shelby automobiles consider reading this book an excellent test of your knowledge, as I'm betting you'll still learn plenty. If you don't know anything about them, here's your chance to get fully caught up in one quick and entertaining read.
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