1420 Princeton Drive (then Venice) now Marina Del Rey, CA
The Princeton Drive building today looks very much like it did when it served as Shelby’s primary race shop in the ’60’s. Cobras were built there, and engines were tested in the dyno room. Peter Brock and the design function were based there, and it is at this property where today’s Original Venice Crew (OVC) all worked together, as a bunch of young, race hungry guys. Princeton was also the first real home to Shelby American in California.
Today the building is occupied by a non-automotive tech company, and there are a few bollards that block the roll-up garage bay door, but the outside and façade of the property are immediately recognizable, and surprisingly little-changed from back in the day. The windows have been replaced, and of course the high-rise condo building that sits behind it wasn’t there when so many photos of Shelby cars, and Shelby himself with a roster of VIP visitors, guests, and customers (such as
Hey Little Cobra songwriter Carroll Connors, and Steve McQueen) were there. Unfortunately there’s nothing remaining to see inside, but the front of the property is unfenced and very approachable for that special Shelby selfie.
Shelby Los Angeles (Shelby Licensing, Shelby OVC, Shelby Heart Fund, Goodyear Race Tires, Carroll Shelby Industries, Inc., and Shelby Engine Company) -- 19021 So. Figueroa St. Gardena, CA
Though technically located in the City of Gardena, California, Shelby just calls this property “Shelby Los Angeles” because few folks outside of SoCal have ever heard of Gardena or even knows where it’s located. Yet this sprawling warehouse property is significant in many ways. It’s where Carroll officed during the later years of his life. It was also, for some time, the home to his Goodyear Racing Tire distribution business, and the Shelby Engine Company. Carroll kept most of his own collection of cars there, and today it is the current home to the OVC build shop, Shelby Licensing, the Shelby Foundation, and a variety of other Shelby entities. The Annual Shelby Tribute show and weekend events, marking Carroll’s passing, is held there each May.