Shelnby American Museum/Shop in Las Vegas

[Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas]

I had a few hours to kill in Las Vegas last week and went to the Shelby Museum/Shop near the airport. It was a little underwhelming in the number of cars ( the main exception was the 1967 Super Snake) but it was neat seeing all the continuation cars and I was amazed at the number of trucks they are modifying. The Cobra's appear to be built on the far side of the shop out of the sight of the public and one of the workers told me that only 2 or 3 people work on them. I took the tour and the guide was enthusiastic and told some stores, mostly some extension of what we've all heard before, but with different facts, it was entertaining to say the least, but not some much factual, more like "never let the facts get I the way of a good story" type of presentation.
Now I will say the gift shop, which makes up the biggest part of the museum/factory was a big draw. It had a lot of really neat stuff, more then any of us really need and I would have bought more expect my wife has threatened to kill me if I bring anything else home
Just wondering if anyone else had thoughts about this place, I was expecting a lot of the Shelby History cars, a bunch of videos, trophies, posters, race programs etc. but while they had some stuff it was a lot less than I expected
All in all it was good for the price ( free) and I'd do it again if I'm stuck in Vegas again. Wish they would have had a couple of Hertz cars for rent  , now that would have really made it worth it

[Bob Gaines]

That museum is meant to be about the cars they have been building since they have been in Vegas. If you want the history then plan on visiting the Shelby museum in boulder . You will for sure be overwhelmed . No worry about being underwhelmed there.

[Don Johnston]

I have been going to the Heritage Collection almost every year since it openned.  The best tour guide (curator?) was the late Jim King, who was a former Shelby employee.  For recollection, he read the many books about the early years of SA and the shops and cars.  We would spend lots of time during my visit as he wanted me to review what he was saying to the visitors.  He would corrrect "facts" as he knew them when errors were found.  I would also check in with Gary P. also to see if he would reveal anything about a new project and sneak around the work areas. SA shop can be seen at: shelby.com

The collection has changed dramatically since CS passed and many of his personal cars and the late model factory prototypes being sold off. Display cars are changed and repositioned periodically. Eaqrly cars come in on loan, such as CSX2000 and the original SUper Snake, as well as privately owned cars.

The gift shop has also expanded in size over the years to help generate more daily revenue.  They even have had copies of the 2008 SAAC Registries for sale.
I have been there when Rick Titus was doing his live radio show: Drivers Talk.  Interesting and entertaining.
Shelby trucks and late model Shelby Mustang Super Snake conversions are the major players.  And at most times, all the service areas are full with each lift occupied.  Gary P. and crew are keeping the revenue going.
There is a live video cam so your wife can verify where you said you would be while she is back at the casino.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZLDzahgn14

[Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas]

That museum is meant to be about the cars they have been building since they have been in Vegas. If you want the history then plan on visiting the Shelby museum in boulder . You will for sure be overwhelmed . No worry about being underwhelmed there.

Don't worry, Boulder is on the bucket list

[madeulook]

SAC, off Diagonal Highway in Boulder. is a jaw drop - head turn - wow and a half. Checked out 5R002 when it was there, as they found it in Mexico. Blessed to have met Phil Remington, Dan Gerber, Bob Bondurant and others there. Very lucky to have toured the shop that supports the museum. GT40 and Cobra's in progress, Cobra hard top wood buck, body bucks. a pile of T-10's and instead of eating pizza Phil presses some bushings into a few T-10 castings. Met him once, but it was obvious he was a special guy. Back at the museum, you have all seen the velvet covered ropes. Donations are tossed around and several one-off's are started and the exhaust blows the velvet ropes completely horizontal....never mind the incredible note...the crowd goes wild...wonderful time and if your lucky you just might win a new 2020 GT500.

If you are into Shelby's you just got to go, and go to the big gathering

The Shelby American Collection Annual Party and Car Show
Saturday, September 5, 2020
3:00 - 8:00 PM (MDT)

not just on a Saturday.

[Don Johnston]

If you are going to the SEMA show Nov 5-8 in Las Vegas, right before the release of the Ford VS Ferrari movie release, you might want to drop by the SA shop as chassis P/1015, a 1965 Ford GT40 Coupe piloted by Ken Miles in LeMans in 1966 and chassis CSX2299, a 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, which Bob Bondurant and Dan Gurney used to achieve victory at Le Mans in 1964 will be on exhibit on temporary loan from the Miller collection.


https://news.yahoo.com/shelby-american-celebrates-ford-v-221221203.html

[pchmotoho]

Is the museum in Boulder better than the Cobra Experience in No. Cal?  I was blown away by the Cobra Experience a few conventions ago. 

[A-Snake]

Is the museum in Boulder better than the Cobra Experience in No. Cal?  I was blown away by the Cobra Experience a few conventions ago.

I think you will enjoy both.

[mjv458]

I was in Vegas three weeks ago and also went to the Shelby Museum/shop. I privately asked the tour guide if that was the real 1967 Shelby Snake and he said "no".  I signed the wall. I would never go back.

[Don Johnston]

The original Shelby Snake was there on display  for a few weeks along with the limited edition "reissue" Super Snake 67 GT500. I believe all ten reissue cars have been sold.

http://shelby.com/?topic=news&art=21595

[Bob Gaines]

Is the museum in Boulder better than the Cobra Experience in No. Cal?  I was blown away by the Cobra Experience a few conventions ago.

Easy for me to answer. You have to see both or you will not know what you are missing.

[camp upshur]

Re the Las Vegas and the Boulder: to me they are polar opposites.
The Boulder museum is packed PACKED with significant cars (thanks to the Millers). If there is a complaint it would be that so many are so close that it's hard to give each the contemplation that one may want to do. The prototype GT-40s are stupendous.  I was there for the show earlier this year. Show 'so-so', museum fantastic.
The Las Vegas, well I can't argue that everyone has to go and make their observations. No significant cars. Zip. Tour guide: nice person- had minimum knowledge. I did not dare say I've had a 65 forever, it would have been awkward and I was a guest. Would not make time to go back, but it's part of the 'Shelby' world I guess.

[pchmotoho]

Hopefully, I will get to visit the Boulder exhibit.  If anything is even close to the Cobra Experience it sounds like a must see.  I thought the Vegas museum was "fun" but not a whole lot of old stuff.  I do remember getting a lot of Christmas shopping done there though. Gift shop was pretty cool.   

[Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas]

Ditto on the gift shop

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Going to Boulder next year. Wife has a meeting in Denver so I figured I'd go have a look. The museums are a disappointment to those of us who grew up in the 60s seeing these cars in the wild. Out on the street, on the track in war mode, dinged dirty used and winning. Too many have been turned into hands off 100 point trailer queens. As far as Vegas goes get a tour from Austin Craig if you can he's been in love with CS & SA since the first Cobra was born.