Head to Vegas to celebrate legend's 85th birthday

You've probably already gotten your invitation, but just in case it hasn't arrived, Shelby Automobiles will celebrate Carroll Shelby's 85th birthday at his Las Vegas factory this weekend.

The company and Team Shelby will mark the event with a car show, a chili cook-off, open track sessions, an exhibit featuring the 2008 Ford Shelby GT 500KR and an autograph session with Mr. Shelby. Team Shelby is the club for the owners of cars built by Shelby.

"Carroll Shelby is an American hero who changed the face of automotive performance," said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. "We're going to kick off a year-long celebration of this amazing man's life with a serious party."

As you know, Mr. Shelby was a force in sports-car racing in the mid-1950s, twice being named Driver of the Year by the now-defunct Sports Car Illustrated magazine. In 1959, he won the 24 Hours of LeMans.

After a heart ailment forced him to retire from racing in 1960, Mr. Shelby forged an agreement with Ford Motor Co. and founded a company that created the awe-inspiring Cobra sports car. In 1965, he turned his talents to the new Mustang.

Today Shelby Automobiles builds 289 and 427 Cobras as well as new Shelby Mustangs.

And from what I hear, Mr. Shelby still knows his way around a clutch and gearbox, and how to drive a car fast and smooth.