Shifting Into Fifth Gear At Shelby Heritage Center

Cars have always been viewed as an art in the global world. In the US, cars are seen as a status symbol, but power rules all. At the Shelby Heritage Center, a full glimpse of car history is on display, followed by some iconic Cobra cars that rule the track, street, and even Las Vegas.

Carroll Shelby: the Man Behind the Legend

Almost every aspect of Carroll Shelby’s life and his achievements are on full display at Shelby Heritage Center. The free-to-visit museum immerses the visitor around one of the most iconic car brands in history.

Not many people know that the city of Las Vegas also played an integral part in his life.

In 1998, Shelby would be promised the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as his own personal playground, leading to productions being placed in Sin City. The Shelby Heritage Center would open in 2013, one year after Shelby’s death to honor his memory and the many stories these cars tell.

The museum is now located on Las Vegas Blvd. and Sunset Rd.

Inside Where the Legend of Shelby Lives On

The first steps taken into the Shelby Heritage Center are greeted by the Shelby store, from toy car replicas, jewelry, t-shirts, jackets, and more. Everything comes at an interesting glance to stroll past many interesting designs to wear or collect and take home.

The information desk also allows you to book a VIP tour that will guide you through the story of each car, race, and what it meant to Carroll Shelby, and why it stands so iconic in the Shelby brand.

Car enthusiasts and gearheads alike will admire the craftsmanship each piece of merch has, but expect to eagerly await Shelby’s collection of Cobras in back.

Be Amongst Cobras in the Snake Pit

Once you’re past the gift shop, many Ford Mustang Shelbys sit in the showroom on full display, some being driven, others waiting to be unleashed.

The 1967 Shelby Mustang GT350, for example, sits front and center at the Heritage Center, with an astounding 306 horsepower, 289 cubic inch V8 engine.

This car marked Shelby’s first venture into streetcars that were available to the public for purchase.

The 1967 Shelby Mustang is also iconic in making the Mustang into a staple in films. From The Thomas Crown Affairs (1999) boasting a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT350, to Gone in 60 Seconds (2000) starring a 1967 Shelby GT500 which sits right next to its little brother in the Heritage Center.

There are very interesting and uniquely rare vehicles as well. These include a 1959 Aston Martin DBR1 which Shelby himself used to win the 1959 24 Hours of LeMans, alongside his partner, Roy Salvadori.

This Aston Martin not only was a winner, but is also an incredibly rare gem of a car. The 1959 Aston Martin DBR1 is also the most expensive British car to ever be sold for a whopping $22.5 million.

Another incredibly interesting entry in this collection is a 1998 Shelby Series 1, a production line planned by Shelby that would’ve been the very first sports car fully created and produced by the brand.

Unfortunately, because of the high costs, the design was ultimately handed to Dodge and repurposed and redesigned, with remnants still remaining for the Viper we know now.

A large portion of visitors not only come for the free experience and walk around through Carroll Shelby’s incredible collection, but also to experience a VIP tour.

The in-depth experience gives bits and details as to what every car means to the legacy of both Shelby the brand, and the man.

After this guided tour, you are taken into a precautionary area of the factory itself, where maintenance, partbuilding, bodies and shells are assembled for all types of Shelby vehicles.

The VIP tour normally lasts 45 minutes to an hour and also includes a Shelby gift package that gives a voucher for a shirt at the Shelby shop in the front, a lanyard, hat, and pins!

Own the Legend of a Shelby

A lot of these cars are available for anyone to purchase as well. Some of them went as high as $4.5 million for the 1965 GT40.

For a lighter load, you can always pick up the 2025 Shelby Super Snake, based on a 2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, only going for a light $170,000. In comparison to the 1967 Shelby GT350, this 2025 Shelby Super Snake has a neck-breaking 830+ horsepower supercharger system.

On the Shelby website itself, anyone can build and price out a vehicle. From speed, to a combination of performance and reliability with the Shelby F-150 Super Snake for the truck fans, Shelby truly builds it all.

Carroll Shelby himself was a passionate designer and had hands-on experience with his first ever pickup in the 1989 Shelby Dakota Pickup. Unfortunately, there were no pickups or SUVs on display on this visit, as it would’ve been amazing to see the brand new Bronco Raptor getting a Shelby makeover!

Keeping The Shelby Name Alive

The Shelby Heritage Center is perfect for the car enthusiast at heart or anyone who is interested in diving deeper into the world of cars.

A dream was fulfilled the moment I walked in and saw some of my favorite vehicles that I’ve only ever been able to experience through video games or highlights. This experience is not just a chance to fulfill dreams; it also showcases the rich history of Carroll Shelby, allowing everyone to learn about and appreciate his legacy through his vehicles.

Shelby himself may not be there to greet everyone, but every single one of those vehicles in the Shelby Heritage Center holds his memory and honors it to the fullest.