Hollywood Premiere of “Shelby American: The Carroll Shelby Story”

Words: Scott Martin; Photos: Brett Turnage

Three years prior to the theatrical release of ‘Ford v Ferrari’, Chassy Media debuted ‘The 24 Hour War’, about the rivalry between Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari. After the documentary’s debut screening at the Shelby American facility in Gardena, CA, director/producers Nate Adams and Adam Carolla said they had so much more footage on Carroll Shelby that they hoped to use it in a future Shelby biopic.

Peter Brock showed up for the Premiere. he was happy that this story told the true-life events of Shelby American.

Fast-forward to 2019 and with the participation of Carroll’s grandsons Aaron, Randall, and Shawn Shelby, hundreds of hours of archived film were culled down to under two hours (1:59) with the title of “Shelby American: The Carroll Shelby Story”. Footage was interspersed with comments and anecdotes by many of the participants in that story including Shelby American photographer Dave Friedman, drivers Mario Andretti, Allen Grant, Dan Gurney, and Bob Bondurant, Shelby family members, original Shelby American employees and for continuity, sons of Carroll Shelby’s drivers Dave MacDonald (Rich MacDonald) and Ken Miles (Peter Miles).

Although already available on Netflix, a special Hollywood Premier of “Shelby American” was scheduled for Wednesday night, January 4^th at Montalban Theater in Hollywood. Aaron and Shawn Shelby posed on the red carpet with historic Shelby-related names like Pete Brock, John Morton, Allen Grant, John Morton, Charlie Agapiou, Jim Murrieta and Jim Sutton. Dr. Drew Pinsky was on hand to support his long-time friend and collaborator, Adam Carolla.

DR. DREW SHOWED UP TO THE EVENT WITH HIS WIFE AND SON, LONG-TIME FRIENDS OF ADAM COROLLA, HE CAME TO SUPPORT THE MOVIE.

As people filtered from the red carpet to their seats in the 1920’s theater, TPRM’s Scott Black welcomed the crowd and introduced director/producers Adam Carolla and Nate Adams. Following an awe-inspiring promo piece about OVC (Original Venice Crew) and their continuation 1965 GT350 Mustangs, everyone was mesmerized by the one hour and fifty-nine-minute story that unfolded about Carroll Shelby. Not only did the audience learn a lot about the Man, the Myth, the Legend, but everyone agreed they were very happy to see it projected on a big screen and through a great sound system.

The screening was followed by a lively and, at times hysterical (ask Adam Carolla) Q&A session moderated by Scott Black and featuring Nate and Adam plus a who’s who of car-culture icons: Peter Brock, Allen Grant, John Morton, Jim Marietta, Jim Sutton, Charlie Agapiou, Bernie Kretzschmar, Tracy Smith, Aaron Shelby, and Shawn Shelby.

charlie Agapiou sat between former Shelby members peter brock, jim Marietta, alan grant, and john Morton.

The evening was capped off by an entertaining VIP after-party in the upstairs Montalban Mezz Gallery with appetizers, and of course, ™Mangria Wine Cocktails (again, ask Adam Carolla!)