The Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) prides itself on preserving and driving the cars produced by Shelby American. They celebrate Shelby vehicles’ history, and they also include cars that were inspired by Shelby American. Members are not required to own a Shelby car to participate. With a rich history, numerous domestic and international clubs, and events all over the globe, the Shelby American Automobile Club is perfect for Shelby and Shelby-inspired car enthusiasts.
The History of the Shelby American Automobile Club
The SAAC is inspired by the work of Carroll Shelby who was an automotive designer and race car driver who built notable vehicles between 1962 and 1970. Some of Shelby’s cars included Cobras, GT350s, GT500s, and Ford GTs, all of which he raced in competitions.
The Shelby American Automobile Club was founded in 1975 and has since published newsletters, magazines, and even books about Shelby vehicles. When the organization first began, very few individuals knew about the history and specifications of Shelby vehicles, and there were not many Shelby cars available. Members of the club began researching the production of the vehicles as well as their specifications.
In addition to Shelby vehicles, the club values Shelby-inspired vehicles, which include the majority of high-performing, Ford-powered vehicles. Some of these high-performance vehicles include Comets, Panteras, Tigers, Mangustas, Boss 302, Cobra 4000s, AC Mk IVs, Mustangs, Italias, Griffiths, Galaxies, and Fairlanes. Not every vehicle that participates in SAAC is regarded with equal quality, but the organization encourages participants to include their different collector vehicles in the events.
The Shelby American Publication
The SAAC organization largely revolves around its publication The Shelby American, which began in 1976. Today, the publication primarily operates online, but at the end of each year, the four issues published throughout the year are printed and mailed to members.
The SAAC also features a communication forum where members can discuss everything related to Shelby vehicles. The site’s URL is www.saacforum.com. People who have questions regarding their Shelby, such as specific parts or original specifications and features, can ask their questions on this helpful forum. You can also find shops that restore Shelby vehicles through the website.
Regional Activities and Events
Every year, the SAAC hosts a national convention. Some of these annual national conventions have featured over 5,000 people. The event typically lasts three days and includes various activities such as a swap meet, vintage racing, track driving, Concours Competition, and a car show.
In addition to the annual convention, regional clubs also host a variety of events. The many different clubs are largely autonomous from the national club. There are clubs located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. The organization also contains clubs in Australia, South Africa, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
There are so many regional events that their website has difficulty listing all of them. You can contact your regional representative to learn about upcoming events in your area. Click here for the representative directory.
