The Shelby American (Summer 2022)

In late 1987 a press release was is- sued by the Shelby American Museum in Dallas, Texas announcing its plans for a museum which would house 70 historic Shelbys, Cobras and Shelby Dodge performance cars to be built in that city. It was scheduled for comple- tion in 1988. The announcement in- cluded an offer of a color poster which depicted a collection of 31 Shelby ve- hicles, available for $25 from the Mu- seum Director, Rick Nagel. The museum, although supported by Car- roll Shelby, never got off the ground. The cars in the poster were either Nagel’s, Shelbys or cars from local owners which would be loaned to the museum for display. It was big news in the Shelby world some eleven years after SAAC was started, but it was short-lived. Nagel had developed a reputation as a fast- talking grifter and while the details of the ill-fated museum never came out, it was rumored to have been just a ruse that would enable him to pur- chase cars at a favorable price because they would allegedly be displayed the Shelby Museum. At that time, Carroll Shelby was just warming up to Shelby enthusiasm and not quite used to being the center of attention in the club. He heard about Nagel’s proposed museum and was flattered, and he threw his support behind it. That, apparently, blindsided Nagle, who had no real plans for a museum. Rather than own up to the ploy, he went along with it. He had some plans for a building hastily drawn up and sent out a letter, counter-signed by Shelby, requesting donations of mem- orabilia from former Shelby American employees which would be displayed in the museum. The letter had the de- sired effect and he soon began receiv- ing all manner of posters, apparel, trinkets, photos, keepsakes and mem- orabilia from enthusiastic ex-Shelby employees, drivers and team mem- bers. All of which disappeared into his collection. Nagle seemed to be dragging his feet on the details of the museum. There was, apparently, trouble in se- curing a piece of property, and without that, construction could not begin. Meanwhile he was buying and selling cars to upgrade his collection. When Shelby began receiving complaints about Nagel and his explanations proved to be mostly fiction, the “mu- seum” evaporated fairly quickly and Nagle assumed a low profile which he has maintained to this day. At about the same time, SAAC was also toying with the possibility of es- tablishing a Shelby museum. In the late 1980s, the prices of Cobras and race cars with verifiable history began to skyrocket. Some of that was due to interest in vintage racing which pro- vided an outlet for using the cars, in- stead of just displaying them as suddenly valuable possessions. Some was just supply and demand. New owners, it seemed, almost felt guilty when their cars doubled or tripled in value in a short time and were looking for places to park them while they waited to see what would happen. SAAC’s idea was for a museum that would become an extension of the club. It would be a hub around which activities would be held, social as much as anything. We found a prime location directly across the road from Lime Rock Park (museums are almost always located near where those who run them reside). Set on three acres, the building was a former car dealer- ship which could hold about ten cars in its showroom with room for litera- ture, memorabilia and a few display engines. It also had a separate build- ing which could house a restoration and race car preparation shop. It was available, although it was too early to begin talking price. The property was within walking distance of the track and on race weekends, museum mem- bers would be invited to park their cars safely on the museum’s property. Rather than owning any of the ve- hicles, museum space would be offered to car owners in return for displaying their cars for a six-month period. A change of cars would occur every six months, insuring the museum was fresh. It would be open to the public for all Lime Rock race events as well as on selected weekends for member gatherings, shows and on-track events for members. A close working relation- ship with the track was envisioned. And Carroll Shelby lined up solidly be- hind the project. The SHELBY AMERICAN Cobra Museums That Never Were This approx. 2´x 3´ color poster was the only tangible remnant of Nagel’s Dallas Shelby Museum con. Summer 2022 48