Carroll Shelby was an American automotive designer and racing driver, born on January 11, 1923. He is best known for founding the Shelby American company and for creating the iconic Shelby Cobra, a high-performance sports car that combined a lightweight chassis with a powerful engine. Shelby's work significantly influenced the American muscle car movement in the 1960s. In addition to his work with the Cobra, Shelby collaborated with Ford Motor Company to develop the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, which became a symbol of American performance. Throughout his career, he was recognized for his contributions to motorsports and automotive engineering, earning a lasting legacy in the car industry.