The Shelby American (Fall 2021)

The SHELBY AMERICAN Fall 2021 115 JAMES G. COWLES January 4, 2021 Jim passed away peacefully after being diagnosed with inoper- able brain cancer six months ago. There was little anyone could do. Jim was a very early member of the SOA and his enthusiasm led to an active region in the Green Bay,Wis- consin area where he and Ken Young were appointed Regional Di- rectors. He eventually became dis- illusioned with the SOA and when we announced the formation of SAAC he was the very first to send a check for $12.95. He eventually convinced most of the region to join him. His father was one of the ini- tial investors in Road America and Jim used his influence to obtain a date on their calendar for an open track event. Until that time the track was not available to smaller groups like SAAC’s Northwoods Re- gion. They continued to hold an an- nual open track weekend well into the 2000s. Jim was one of a handful of en- thusiasts in the early 1970s who ferreted out Shelbys that owners had lost interest in and dragged them home, eventually finding a purchaser who saw the same poten- tial he did. Back then the cars were “repaired” and put back on the road because “restoration” was not yet part of our everyday language. That would come later. He also gathered up Shelby unique parts at swap meets and would make them available to en- thusiasts who needed them. He quickly learned that there was more of a demand for some parts than others. In 1978 his hobby evolved into a business and he started Shelby Parts & Restoration. Both his knowledge and experience expanded and he soon became one of the “go-to” guys in the hobby, readily dispensing knowledge and opinions. When SAAC was in need of a Regis- trar for the 1969-70 Shelbys Jim stepped forward to handle the last of the Shelbys. At that point being a Reg- istrar was little more than collecting serial numbers and owners’ names as well as identifying unique Shelby parts. Not much was known about their production details. Prior to the publication of 1987 Registry Jim’s expanding business caused him to have to step down as registrar but he continued to assist by providing information and answering ques- tions. He served as an advisor on late mode Shelbys on every subse- quent edition of the Registry. As the cars gained popularity through the early 1980s there was a desire to begin restoring them to original, as-delivered condition. Jim was in the forefront of determining what these “original” specifications were. One of his favorite pastimes was traveling across the country visiting Ford dealerships and pur- chasing obsolete parts that were sit- ting on their shelves. There was a time when these “old” parts had lit- tle value and Jim was only too happy to take them off dealers’ hands. Much to the appreciation of his customers. In 1982 the club developed a set of judging guidelines (which con- tinue to evolve annually as more and more information is uncovered) and Jim was instrumental in con- tributing information on the later Shelbys. When knowledgeable con- cours judges were needed at na- tional conventions, Jim volunteered and was happy to share his knowl- edge. He served as a mentor for many members who would become judges over the years. During the time he operated Shelby Parts and Assistance Jim never lost interest in helping own- ers and enthusiasts, regardless of whether they were customers or just seeking information. He could be abrupt with some people who tested him and wasted his time but for the most part he was patient and helpful, especially with those who were just coming into the hobby. He never forgot someone’s name, even if he had talked to them only once. The one word which keeps surfacing to describe him is “honest.” His knowledge was as broad as it was deep. He owned two small block