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The SHELBY AMERICAN
Spring 2016 41
One of the typical pranks the Cobra team was famous for took place at Laguna Seca
when team jackets were presented to the three Cobra drivers, Ken Miles, Ed Leslie and
Bob Johnson. On the back they said, “Old Folks Racing Team” to point out that the
Cobra drivers were older than the other Cobra team members; they were all in their
mid-40s. The names on the jackets’ front were “Brittle Bones Miles,” “Grand Pop Leslie”
and “Over The Hill Johnson.” The two photos at the left were taken by Shelby photog-
rapher Dave Friedman.
(CSX2431, driven by Ken Miles, 1st
O/A in the manufacturers race) were
on Shelby American’s race transporter
with CSX3012 (#1 driven by Lothar
Motschebacher who finished 7th Over-
All in the USRRC feature race). Also
on the transporter was a new Ford
GT40 Spyder (GT/108), one of four; it
was used for exhibition and demon-
strations but was not raced.
We’ve seen factory black-and-
white photos from this event but see-
ing them in color adds another
dimension. This is the first time they
have been published in fifty years.