Interview conducted by Andrew Gardner at the Pebble Beach presentation of the new Ford GT in August-2003:
(see www.MotorSportsCenter.com)

There is also the chance to meet some of the behind the scenes people who lived and help create some of automotive history’s greatest stories, but whose names remain little known. For instance, the Carroll Shelby story, or the Cobra story, has been told numerous times. But one aspect of Carroll Shelby’s productions that doesn’t get told is what his affect was on those who worked for him. Phil Henny, one of the GT40 fabricators who worked for Shelby in the late 60’s, shared some of his experiences with Shelby. There was a wide variety of people working under Mr. Shelby: there were people from New Zealand, England, Switzerland (such as Phil Henny) and Belgium. Carroll was, of course, the man who brought all of them together. "Shelby was the team leader; nothing would happen without him" as Henny relates. Carroll put together such a diverse group of people under a project rather unique and which eventually became a surprise to people such as Enzo Ferrari. Shelby had the vision to stuff a big-block engine into a tiny car; then he promoted a project to create an aerodynamic body for his Cobra, which would compete in Europe under the "evolution of body type" rule which Enzo himself had got included into the F.I.A. GT racing rules (funny how Ferrari fought hard to make possible something which would soon lend to his defeat). And he knew how to get the right people for the job.

Carroll also had the sense to let people get their job done. As Henny put it, "Shelby gave us the freedom to get the job done, the freedom to do our best." And in the end Shelby created a winning environment. His cars dominated every country they rolled into in the mid-1960s. And Carroll proved to be a big factor n the GT40s success at Le Mans. So everyone involved got the best experience anyone could get in racing. It was wonderful to "be part of a Le Mans winning car team. There was great security in being part of that group." Could you ask for a better reference for future jobs?

Phil Henny stated the result of his time with Mr. Shelby simply: "Carroll changed my life. Ask anybody (who was involved with the Cobra or GT40 programs), they had the greatest time." And all thanks to Shelby’s unique character, no B.S. attitude and his ability to get big things done. So Phil Henny will share his perspective on the man in the crocodile leather shoes. As Heny remembers from the first time he met "Mr. Shelby," the man said, "just call me Carroll." So for the part of the story of America’s greatest racing program ever that doesn’t get told, look for Phil Henny’s book, "Just Call Me Carroll," soon.

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