Before we diminish the roll Shelby had in creating (as opposed to
engineering) the Tiger by comparison with the Cobra, I'll toss out a
question about what we think George Boskoff and his fellow Shelby
employees did prior to the Tiger project. I'd guess it was Cobra
development. I may be wrong, but I don't recall ever reading that
Shelby was actually an acredited engineer himself, as much as a racer
and hot rodder. I'd even go out on a limb to suggest that real
engineernig (from my perspective as an automotive BSME from Purdue
University) didn't really take hold at Shelby automotive until the 427
program was underway.
Does anyone have info on how much of the Cobra was simply Shelby
inspiration and vision in guiding his employees, as opposed to hands-on
tinkering himself??? Possibly not as far off from the Tiger experience
as common perception would have it, since he was likely focused on the
business/Promotional issues.
Just a thought,
Stephen Waybright
--- Tom Witt <wittsend@jps.net> wrote:
> In the end it seems it was more the craftsmanship of George Boskoff
> than
> the engineering of Carroll Shelby that brought the Tiger into being.
> One could always argue that the project was still contracted through
> Shelby
> and built by one of his employees, but as best I'm able to comprehend
> Shelby
> himself had little to do with "engineering" the car itself.
> Regardless, I'm
> more than happy to have my Tiger associated with the Shelby name.
> Shelby
> could have easily dis-associated himself for the reasons I stated
> above, but
> apparently has chosen not to. Thus, I would assume he either has a
> general
> liking for the car (and is more than happy to extend his association
> with
> it), was more involved than has been stated or as a man in his 80's
> has
> difficulty with memory.
>
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