Carroll Shelby Intl
Carroll Shelby International is a specialty automaker and brand licensor that builds low-volume performance Mustangs, trucks, and heritage Cobras while monetizing the Shelby trademark through Ford vehicle royalties and consumer-products licensing across gaming, toys, and apparel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersGardena, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Carroll Shelby Intl does
Carroll Shelby International (OTCQB: CSBI) is a Las Vegas-based automotive performance company operating through three wholly-owned divisions: Shelby American Inc. (vehicle manufacturing and retail), Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. (trademark and brand rights management), and the Carroll Shelby Foundation (philanthropy). The company manufactures and sells low-volume performance vehicles built on Ford platforms, including Mustang-based Super Snake, GT350 and GT500 variants, modified Ford trucks (F-150 Super Snake, Raptor, F-250 Super Baja), and heritage Cobra continuation cars (289, 427, Daytona Coupe), distributed through direct-to-consumer channels including ShelbyStore.com, the Carroll Shelby Store in Las Vegas, the Build & Price configurator, and Ford's dealer network for licensed models.
The company's primary economic engine is brand licensing. Carroll Shelby Licensing has held the Shelby, GT500, and GT350 trademark rights since 2003 and licenses them to Ford (which pays approximately $800 per Shelby-badged Mustang), as well as to consumer-products manufacturers including Electronic Arts, Sony, Microsoft, Mattel, GameLoft, Maisto, Revell, and others for toys, video games, apparel, and collectibles. Shelby American Inc. operates as the manufacturing and retail arm, producing Shelby-branded vehicles, aftermarket performance parts, and merchandise, while the Team Shelby enthusiast club drives community engagement and recurring consumer revenue.
Carroll Shelby International's business model combines a high-margin licensing royalty stream anchored by a long-tenured Ford relationship with lower-margin but brand-reinforcing direct vehicle sales, parts, apparel, and a philanthropic arm. The Shelby brand — supported by registered trademarks, trade dress protection on 1960s Cobra appearance, and heritage from four consecutive Le Mans GT40 victories — represents the core intangible asset underpinning all three divisions. The company's stated foundation year is 1962, tied to Carroll Shelby's pioneering of modern automotive licensing, though the present corporate structure reflects subsequent reorganizations.
Carroll Shelby Intl firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carroll Shelby Intl
- Legal name
- Shelby American Inc.
- Website
- https://shelby.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Carroll Shelby International is a specialty automaker and brand licensor that builds low-volume performance Mustangs, trucks, and heritage Cobras while monetizing the Shelby trademark through Ford vehicle royalties and consumer-products licensing across gaming, toys, and apparel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carroll Shelby Intl industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performance Vehicles & Automotive Brand Licensing
- NAICS
- Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133)
- SIC
- Motor Vehicles & Passenger Car Bodies (3711), Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aftermarket Exterior Accessories Manufacturing (Body Kits/Grilles/Bumpers/Racks/Tow Hooks) (IMACANAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Automotive Parts & Accessories Online Retailers (CRAFADAK)
Keywords
Where Carroll Shelby Intl is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gardena
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Carroll Shelby Intl business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Licensing Royalties: Ford Motor Company pays approximately $800 per vehicle in royalties to Carroll Shelby Licensing for each Shelby-badged Mustang produced. This is the primary licensing revenue stream from automotive manufacturing partners.
- Vehicle Sales: Shelby American Inc. manufactures and sells performance vehicles including Super Snake models, GT350, GT500 Signature Edition, F-150 Super Snake, Raptor, and F-250 Super Baja through direct sales channels.
- Performance Parts & Merchandise: Sale of Shelby-branded performance parts, apparel, and merchandise through ShelbyStore.com and retail locations. Products include performance automotive components and branded collectibles.
- Brand Licensing: Licensing of Shelby trademarks and vehicle images to third parties including Ford, Electronic Arts, GameLoft, Jada, Maisto, Sony, Microsoft, Revell, ZModels, Mattel, and others for toys, video games, apparel, and collectibles.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Ford licensing arrangement - approximately $800 per Shelby-badged Mustang |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Carroll Shelby Intl product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carroll Shelby International designs, manufactures, and markets high-performance Shelby-badged Ford Mustangs (Super Snake, GT350, GT500 variants) and trucks (F-150 Super Snake, Raptor, F-250 Super Baja), alongside heritage continuation vehicles (Cobra 289/427, Daytona Coupe, GT40) and licensed Revology reproductions. It sells Shelby-branded performance parts, apparel, and merchandise directly to enthusiasts and licenses its Shelby, GT500, and GT350 trademarks to Ford and consumer-goods partners, earning royalties per vehicle and per licensed product.
Product overview
Shelby American Inc. operates as a diversified automotive performance company with three core divisions: vehicle production, licensing, and philanthropy. The vehicle portfolio spans modern performance Mustangs (Super Snake, GT350, GT500 variants), modified Ford trucks (F-150 Super Snake, F-150 Off-Road, Raptor, F-250 Super Baja), heritage Cobras (427, 289 FIA, 289 Street), the GT40 Shelby Edition, and licensed Revology reproductions of classic 1960s Shelby vehicles. The company also produces performance parts, apparel, and merchandise through the Shelby Store, and manages the Carroll Shelby Foundation charitable initiative. A strategic partnership with TOPDON integrates diagnostic tools into production facilities. The broader Shelby ecosystem includes Carroll Shelby Licensing for brand trademark management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Shelby Super Snake: High-performance version of Ford Mustang featuring enhanced horsepower and performance modifications.
- Shelby GT350
- Shelby GT500
- Shelby GT500KR
- Shelby F-150 Super Snake
- Shelby Raptor
Products and services
- 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R High-performance track-oriented modified Mustang with supercharged V8 powertrain and Shelby performance enhancements, sold direct by Shelby American Inc.
- 2026 Shelby Super Snake Performance-modified Mustang with supercharged V8 powertrain and distinctive Shelby styling, configured and built by Shelby American Inc.
- 2026 Shelby GT350/TA Track Attack variant of the Shelby GT350 Mustang with Shelby performance upgrades aimed at competitive road-course use.
- 2026 Shelby GT350 Performance Mustang variant carrying the legendary Shelby GT350 name with track-capable specifications, built by Shelby American Inc.
- Shelby GT500KR (King of the Road) High-performance Mustang with enhanced powertrain, exclusive Shelby KR badging, and limited-production collectibility.
- Shelby GT500 Signature Edition Limited-production GT500 featuring unique Shelby signature styling and enhanced performance specifications.
- Shelby GT500 Code Red High-performance GT500 variant with exclusive Code Red designation and advanced performance specifications.
- Shelby GT350 Signature Edition Special-edition GT350 with signature styling elements and collector-focused specifications.
- 2025 Shelby F-150 Super Snake Performance-modified Ford F-150 pickup with Super Snake branding and enhanced V8 powertrain, sold by Shelby American Inc.
- 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road Off-road-focused performance truck based on the Ford F-150 with lifted suspension and all-terrain enhancements.
- 2026 Shelby Raptor & Raptor R Baja-ready performance truck based on Ford Raptor with Shelby modifications for extreme off-road performance.
- 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road Championship Edition Limited-edition off-road truck celebrating championship racing heritage with exclusive Shelby styling.
- 2026 Shelby F-250 Super Baja Heavy-duty performance truck based on the Ford F-250 with extended suspension and desert racing capability.
- Shelby 427 Cobra (CSX6000 series) Continuation of the legendary 1960s Shelby 427 Cobra with period-correct specifications, sold to collectors through Shelby American.
- Shelby 289 FIA (CSX7000 series) Authentic recreation of the racing-specification 289 Cobra with FIA homologation features.
- Shelby 289 Street (CSX8000 series) Street-legal continuation of the classic 289 Cobra for driving enthusiasts.
- Shelby Daytona Coupe (CSX9000) Continuation of the Le Mans-winning Shelby Daytona Coupe with authentic vintage racing specifications for collectors.
- GT40 Shelby Edition Heritage vehicle honoring the GT40 that achieved four consecutive Le Mans victories under Shelby management, sold to collectors.
- Shelby CSX1000 60th Anniversary Edition Commemorative continuation vehicle celebrating 60 years of Shelby American heritage; produced as factory models by Superformance under license.
- Revology 1967-1968 Shelby Reproductions Licensed reproductions of 1967-1968 Shelby GT350 and GT500 (including GT500KR and convertible variants) produced by Revology under Shelby license; combine classic Shelby styling with modern performance.
- Shelby Mustang Mach-E / Shelby Mach-E GT (concept) All-electric performance concept based on Ford Mustang Mach-E with Shelby branding and modifications, sold as a Shelby American concept offering.
- Shelby Performance Parts Aftermarket performance parts and accessories (suspension, superchargers, exhaust, aerodynamic components) for Shelby vehicles and compatible Ford models, sold through shelbystore.com.
- Shelby Branded Apparel & Merchandise Shelby-branded apparel, collectibles, and merchandise sold via shelbystore.com and the Carroll Shelby Store Las Vegas.
- Carroll Shelby Licensing Program Exclusive trademark and brand-image licensing program granting rights to the Shelby, GT500, GT350, Super Snake, 289, 289FIA, 427, and 427 S/C marks (and 1960s Cobra trade dress) to OEMs and consumer-goods partners such as Ford, Electronic Arts, Sony, Microsoft, Mattel, Maisto, GameLoft, Revell, Jada, and ZModels.
- Commemorative Carroll Shelby Signature Certificate-of-authenticity simulated Carroll Shelby signature produced exclusively for the Carroll Shelby Foundation and offered in exchange for a $50 donation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Four consecutive Le Mans victories with GT40 (1966-1969)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Carroll Shelby Intl
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Carroll Shelby Intl technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Carroll Shelby Intl partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ford Motor CompanycoreFord has historically partnered with Carroll Shelby to produce iconic performance vehicles including the GT40's four consecutive Le Mans victories and Shelby-badged Mustangs. Carroll Shelby Licensing has owned the Shelby, GT500, and GT350 brand names since 2003. Ford pays approximately $800 per vehicle in royalties to Carroll Shelby Licensing for each Shelby-badged Mustang produced. In January 2026, Ford announced it would replace the Shelby GT500 with the new Mustang Dark Horse SC.
- Electronic ArtsminorLicensing partner for Shelby-branded video games and digital entertainment products featuring Shelby vehicles and branding.
- MattelminorLicensing partner for Shelby-branded toy vehicles and collectibles.
- SonyminorLicensing partner for Shelby-branded video games and entertainment products.
- MicrosoftminorLicensing partner for Shelby-branded video games on Xbox platforms.
- GameLoftminorLicensing partner for Shelby-branded mobile games and applications.
- RevologyminorLicensee producing licensed reproduction 1967-1968 Shelby GT350 and GT500KR vehicles under the Shelby American brand.
- MaistominorLicensing partner for Shelby-branded die-cast model vehicles.
- RevellminorLicensing partner for Shelby-branded plastic model kits.
- SuperformanceminorLicensee producing Shelby CSX1000 60th Anniversary Edition vehicles as factory models.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Carroll Shelby Intl competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Roush Performance: Roush Performance modifies Ford Mustangs, F-150s, and Broncos into limited-edition high-performance vehicles — directly parallel to Shelby American's Mustang and truck programs, sharing the same OEM-tuner business model.
- Superformance: Superformance is Shelby American's contracted manufacturer of the CSX1000 60th Anniversary Edition and continuation Cobras — operating the same licensed-continuation vehicle niche as Shelby's heritage line, just from the production side.
- Callaway Cars: Callaway Cars builds supercharged performance variants of Corvette and other vehicles and licenses its tuning know-how, much like Shelby — a small specialty performance manufacturer leveraging a stronger OEM's base platform.
- Revology Cars: Revology produces licensed reproductions of 1960s Shelby Mustangs (GT350, GT500, GT500KR) under Shelby American's brand — already a commercial partner and a directly analogous continuation/reproduction carmaker.
- Hennessey Performance Engineering: Texas-based Hennessey modifies a broad range of OEM vehicles (Mustang, Corvette, trucks, plus the Venom hypercar) into limited high-performance editions — a directly comparable low-volume specialty OEM with its own brand and licensing infrastructure.
- Saleen Automotive: Saleen Automotive designs, manufactures, and sells Saleen-branded performance Mustangs and other vehicles, operating as a small specialty OEM/licensor with a business model closely mirroring Shelby American's vehicle-plus-licensing structure.
Others
- Shelby American Motor Company (independent collectors/restorers): Independent restoration shops and small builders of replica Shelby Cobras and Mustangs operate in adjacent territory; relevant as alternative sources for enthusiast buyers but not formal competitors.
Regional players
- Brabus: Germany-based Brabus is an independent tuner/brand-licensor for Mercedes-Benz vehicles with a globally recognized performance nameplate — comparable business model (tune and badge an OEM's vehicle, build brand equity) but different geography and base OEM.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Carroll Shelby Intl social profiles
Digital presenceCarroll Shelby Intl financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carroll Shelby Intl leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Carroll Shelby Intl subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Carroll Shelby Intl funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carroll Shelby Intl M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carroll Shelby Intl
What does Carroll Shelby Intl do?
Carroll Shelby International designs, manufactures, and markets high-performance Shelby-badged Ford Mustangs (Super Snake, GT350, GT500 variants) and trucks (F-150 Super Snake, Raptor, F-250 Super Baja), alongside heritage continuation vehicles (Cobra 289/427, Daytona Coupe, GT40) and licensed Revology reproductions. It sells Shelby-branded performance parts, apparel, and merchandise directly to enthusiasts and licenses its Shelby, GT500, and GT350 trademarks to Ford and consumer-goods partners, earning royalties per vehicle and per licensed product.
Is Carroll Shelby Intl a public or private company?
Carroll Shelby Intl is a private company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Carroll Shelby Intl founded?
Carroll Shelby Intl was founded in 1991. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Carroll Shelby Intl based?
Carroll Shelby Intl is headquartered in Gardena, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carroll Shelby Intl make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Licensing Royalties are the primary driver. The others are vehicle Sales, performance Parts & Merchandise and brand Licensing.
Who are Carroll Shelby Intl's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Roush Performance, Superformance, Callaway Cars, Revology Cars, Hennessey Performance Engineering and Saleen Automotive. Shelby American Motor Company (independent collectors/restorers) is listed as an others. Brabus is listed as a regional player.
Does Carroll Shelby Intl have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carroll Shelby Intl.
What industry is Carroll Shelby Intl in?
Carroll Shelby Intl's product category is Performance Vehicles & Automotive Brand Licensing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACANAI, Aftermarket Exterior Accessories Manufacturing (Body Kits/Grilles/Bumpers/Racks/Tow Hooks), with a secondary code of CRAFADAK, Automotive Parts & Accessories Online Retailers. Its NAICS code is 44133 and its SIC code is 3711.