August 19, 2008
Shelby American Automobile Convention
"SAAC - 33"
August 15-17, 2008
Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, New Jersey
Thunderbolt Raceway is located near Atlantic City, New Jersey. This year's annual Shelby Automobile
convention will be remembered for a long time to come. The car show was the best I have seen in many, many
years. The Shelby Club made some major announcements. This website also helped sponsor a visit by
some former Shelby employees. They were, without question, the stars of the event.
It's no secret this site revolves around 1968 Shelbys. One car in particular was the inspiration for
the concept of sharing accurate information with other Shelby owners.
2008 Shelby American Automobile Club National Champion
1968 GT500 KR Shelby Cobra
Serial Number 8T02R204798-03206 aka "The Coralsnake"
I am very happy to announce that my car was awarded one of the Shelby Club's most prestigious honors.
The Coralsnake has won a Gold Award in the Concours car show. The car is only the ninth 1968 Shelby to be awarded
Concours Gold since 1996. The award places the car among the very best
restored 1968 Shelbys in the country. Even more remarkable is the car won this honor in its very first
car show. This is almost unheard of in national show competitions.
There are so many people to thank, it would be impossible to list them all. I would like to thank my wife, Kris, that tolerates my obsession. Thanks to my parents, Ron and Karin,
who labored on the trip. My Uncle graciously loaned us a new Ford pickup truck and Bob loaned me his trailer.
Thanks to Larry who sprays one super looking coat of enamel. I think people were surprised that the car has no clear coats.
The Concours car event featured nine 1968 Shelbys. There was one Gold Award, three Silver awards and one
Bronze. The other four cars were extremely nice, but failed to place in their first outing. Everyone that
participated should be extremely proud of their cars.
My friend, Tim, actually had a hand in two of the cars present for the Concours show. Both cars won Silver Awards.
That is a very good day.
# 3327 belongs to Roger Staib and was awarded a Concours Silver. Roger is the original owner.
# 1526 owner Robert Heaton was awarded a Concours Silver.
Ted brought his Green GT500. It was the best bodywork at the show. The car took home a Silver Award.
I believe this car has a good shot at the Gold Award. It is # 1523.
Keith Schadoff took home a Bronze. The car is # 1899.
In all over 250 vintage Shelbys attended the event. Approximately forty 1968 Shelbys were on display. Many of the cars
were raced on the track. I have been to about ten conventions and can not recall a better turn out.
Cars on the track.
Special paint cars always get my attention. What are the chances you would see one ?
Only six GT350 convertibles were actually painted yellow. This is one of those six ! It is serial number 2600.
[Note: Seven cars were supposed to be yellow, but one of these was painted white by mistake]
These guys had a really long extension cord. I think they unplugged it before racing :-)
Cars in the show received a large Shelby medallion.
Bob Johnson brought two beautiful cars. His red GT500 KR convertible was awarded the Lew Spencer Award for excellence.
1968s for as far as the eyes could see !
A very nice black GT500 KR wows the crowd.
This car was brought by the original owner. Chances to meet these guys are few and far between.
This car was for sale. I was told it sold for just a shade over $65,000. The car was repainted, but still had a lot of detail.
Projects under $50,000 are getting pretty rare.
Team Shelby came to the show. Here Shelby President, Amy Boylan, poses for some pictures. Shelby also brought
several new cars.
This included an orange GT500 Super Snake. You have to love the color. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Long time Shelby Club director, Ken Eber, announced his retirement. A new director was named and everyone in attendance had the
feeling some changes were coming.
I got a look at the new COBRA Registry and it is a whopper. This book is HUGE ! I can only say it is an excellent example of
the work the Shelby Club has done over the last thirty five years. They are currently working on a second volume. This volume will
feature the 1968s.
I really enjoyed meeting two former AO Smith employees. This was the first time anyone could recall former AO Smith plant employees
attending a national Shelby convention. Jim Letts and Ken Furgeson shared memories from their days building cars for Carroll Shelby.
They inspected the cars and told old stories. Both enjoyed the show and said they would return.
Jim signs an autograph. Forty years after the cars were built, Jim and Ken have become a quasi-celebrities.
I met Bjorn for a brief moment. Bjorn came to the show from Norway. Unfortunately his friend, Svein was not in attendance.
Svien is an email buddy.
Hopefully, I can spend more time
with my friends from Norway next year. The show attracts Shelby fans from all over the world.
I still like those Ford race cars. Anytime you get a chance to see a Ford GT40 on the track it is well worth it.
The convention is tentatively scheduled for the same place. It also looks like it will be in August.
I hope to see you see you there ! ..and with any luck we will passing out new World Registries featuring the Coralsnake on the cover!
This award was given to AO Smith company in 1969. It is the Society of Plastics "Grand Award of Excellence". Smith Plastics was given the award for their
work on the 1969 Shelbys. The two foot flame is Steuben Crystal. I will have more on this rare piece in a future update.
Now is an excellent time to become a member of the Club. You can contribute and enjoy everything a national convention has to offer.
