Caroll Shelby's first racer, an MG TC, is up for sale
Octane magazine
A historic 1949 MG TC, the first race car ever driven by legendary
racer and manufacturer Carroll Shelby, will be sold at No Reserve during the
inaugural Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Las Vegas, 15-18th October,
2008.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit one of Mr.
Shelby’s charities. Shelby piloted the MG to a surprise victory in a road
race in Norman, Oklahoma, in 1952, a win that set the stage for his prolific
career.
Hailed as The World’s Greatest Collector Car Events, the
Las Vegas auction will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. 'We’ve
sold some special cars during our 37-year history, but this MG ranks among the
most significant vehicles to ever cross the Barrett-Jackson auction block,'
said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson.
In 2007, we sold the ultra-rare 427 Shelby Cobra Super Snake, followed
by Carroll’s personal ‘69 GT500 convertible this year in Scottsdale.
Now, we’re offering collectors a chance to nab the race car that started
it all for the legend over half a century ago, while also benefitting one of
his charities. Carroll is an American icon both behind the wheel and under the
hood – an inspiration to enthusiasts of all ages.'
Shelby also fired up the MG TC for the day’s second race
in Norman, driving it to another victory against the much higher-profile Jaguar
XK120s. The back-to-back victories led to one of the most storied careers in
motorsports, which pinnacled in 1956 and 1957 when Shelby was consecutively
named Sports Car Illustrated’s Driver of the Year.
He went on to build the legendary Shelby Cobra and Shelby Mustang,
along with a slew of other vehicles that have become performance icons.
'My good friend in Dallas, Ed Wilkins, owned the car and let me
drive it in the race,' noted Carroll Shelby. 'Because it was early in my career,
I still had a lot to learn but knew how to go fast. This MG changed my life,
because from that point forward, I knew that I wanted to be involved with racing
and sport cars.'
The dark green MG TC sports the original 1250cc, 4-cylinder engine
with a 4-speed gearbox that has since been tuned up to 100bhp-plus and is race-ready.
The new owner will also receive the SCCA Log Book, as well as the original fenders,
bonnet and mechanical parts that were stripped from the car for competition.
For over 20 years, the MG has been part of the famous Syd Silverman Collection
and is well known on the MG vintage race car circuit.
www.barrett-jackson.com
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