Close Encounter with Carroll Shelby at NAIAS 2005
 

Here's a little story from the North American International Autoshow currently taking place in Detroit. Today, we were at opening day of the show for the media and attended the Ford media show. The highlight of the show was at the end when they brought out Carroll Shelby's GR-1 concept performance car. Mr. Shelby was in attendance and just before the show started came up from the floor right next to where we were sitting.

I was along the rail and Mr. Shelby walked one foot past me and was then seated three seats behind us. Some large, goof ball was a row behind us and knew someone behind him. Knowing that they were going to seat Mr. Shelby two rows up this guy kept trying to climb over the seats up next to this other person so he could be directly in front of Mr. Shelby. But, he gets his shoe caught in the seats and is fumbling all about trying to get unstuck. Finally, they get Mr. Shelby and his wife up to their seats. This guy actually tries to reach back and start touching Mr. Shelby... when, what appeared to be a private security person, grabs a hold of the guy... whispers something in his ear... and escorts him right out of the auditorium. Or, so that appeared to be what was going on.

It just floors me how some people just get all goofy because someone of notoriety is in the room. Yes, he is famous in the automotive world and for good reason... but, he's also just another person just like everyone else. No reason to get all stupid and act like a jerk.

Any ways, here's a shot I snapped of him just after the show concluded and we were walking out of our row just below him to go photograph the vehicles on the floor brought out during the show.

http://media.mustangworks.com/data/3...05-110-med.jpg

See all the NAIAS 2005 autoshow photos here.

Re: Close Encounter with Carroll Shelby at NAIAS 2005
 

Some people are just dorks round "celebs".

I once was in a restaurant in Dearborn. Jack Nasser walks in, sits in a corner at a table with someone for lunch. Some other lady (Ford Employee) walks over there and starts talking and talking... You could see he wanted to say "Hello. Now get the heck outta here, and let me eat my lunch!".

Re: Close Encounter with Carroll Shelby at NAIAS 2005
 

I would love to have an hour to talk with Mr. Shelby. :)

I was on a crusie ship with Kenny Rogers one time. I just wanted to bust out singing "You've got to know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em"..... you know the rest.

Re: Close Encounter with Carroll Shelby at NAIAS 2005
 

Yeah, I know what you mean. Like three years ago after the Ford media show at the NAIAS I was on the stage, turned around, and literally almost bumped into Jack Nasser. I said hi, shook his hand, and went on my way. ;)

Re: Close Encounter with Carroll Shelby at NAIAS 2005
 

:D That's funny.

Yeah, when I went on vacation to the Bahamas after leaving the 1999 Spring Break Shootout event in Bradenton, Florida I ran into Steve Miller (sings Abracadabra). We were staying at the Breezes resort in Nassau, were down in the piano bar one night, and he was down there hanging out at the bar. :) We talked to him for a bit while we sat next to him at the bar.