Did you know Carroll Shelby help fund Chili's restaurants

[FL SAAC]

Did You Know Racing Legend Carroll Shelby Helped Found Chili's?
https://www.thedrive.com/news/38583/did-you-know-racing-legend-carroll-shelby-helped-found-chilis

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Some more "new" history? CS didn't have 2 nickels to rub together in 1975. He was surviving and paying the bills from what his GoodYear race tire franchise was earning. He left the country in 1974 and was still gone in 1976 when he started his Chili company from overseas. Lavine was the food startup guy I'd wager he pitched CS on getting into the Chili spice business.

Shelby left his home and the industry as a whole to begin a new life in South Africa in 1974.
While on the other side of the globe, he launched a new line of Texas-inspired chili mix. Similar to his impact on the automotive world, the name Carroll Shelby Chili grew throughout the food industry, and he had carved out a nice life for himself while dwelling in South Africa.

[2112]

Some more "new" history? CS didn't have 2 nickels to rub together in 1975. He was surviving and paying the bills from what his GoodYear race tire franchise was earning.

Wow, under these circumstances, it is surprising he held onto his 3 iconic Cobras.

Many would have cashed them out.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Some more "new" history? CS didn't have 2 nickels to rub together in 1975. He was surviving and paying the bills from what his GoodYear race tire franchise was earning.

Wow, under these circumstances, it is surprising he held onto his 3 iconic Cobras.

Many would have cashed them out.

CS did BK a few times but there were many places/companies where he could shuffle different assets. The tire company was his steady producer for all the time he owned it. He almost lost his Coupe when the guy who owned the Imperial Palace called his note. The guy running LV Speedway was married to the daughter of the Imperial Palaces owner. They got divorced and he got canned. The owner wanted his 2.5 million the SIL had loaned CS for the facility at the track (CS had never made a payment and guaranteed the loan with the Coupe). Kinda the same thing that happened in 67 when Ford took all the assets and trademarks of SA when his 1962 startup loan came due. I was always amazed he kept the last produced Lincoln convertible (1966?). Ford had given it to him.

[FL SAAC]

Remember it was the mid 70s not many would want this type of vehicle

Some more "new" history? CS didn't have 2 nickels to rub together in 1975. He was surviving and paying the bills from what his GoodYear race tire franchise was earning.

Wow, under these circumstances, it is surprising he held onto his 3 iconic Cobras.

Many would have cashed them out.

[FL SAAC]

Great info thanks for providing

Some more "new" history? CS didn't have 2 nickels to rub together in 1975. He was surviving and paying the bills from what his GoodYear race tire franchise was earning.

Wow, under these circumstances, it is surprising he held onto his 3 iconic Cobras.

Many would have cashed them out.

CS did BK a few times but there were many places/companies where he could shuffle different assets. The tire company was his steady producer for all the time he owned it. He almost lost his Coupe when the guy who owned the Imperial Palace called his note. The guy running LV Speedway was married to the daughter of the Imperial Palaces owner. They got divorced and he got canned. The owner wanted his 2.5 million the SIL had loaned CS for the facility at the track (CS had never made a payment and guaranteed the loan with the Coupe). Kinda the same thing that happened in 67 when Ford took all the assets and trademarks of SA when his 1962 startup loan came due. I was always amazed he kept the last produced Lincoln convertible (1966?). Ford had given it to him.

[Side-Oilers]

Some more "new" history? CS didn't have 2 nickels to rub together in 1975. He was surviving and paying the bills from what his GoodYear race tire franchise was earning.

Wow, under these circumstances, it is surprising he held onto his 3 iconic Cobras.

Many would have cashed them out.

CS did BK a few times but there were many places/companies where he could shuffle different assets. The tire company was his steady producer for all the time he owned it. He almost lost his Coupe when the guy who owned the Imperial Palace called his note. The guy running LV Speedway was married to the daughter of the Imperial Palaces owner. They got divorced and he got canned. The owner wanted his 2.5 million the SIL had loaned CS for the facility at the track (CS had never made a payment and guaranteed the loan with the Coupe). Kinda the same thing that happened in 67 when Ford took all the assets and trademarks of SA when his 1962 startup loan came due. I was always amazed he kept the last produced Lincoln convertible (1966?). Ford had given it to him.

Yep, Richie Kline was the Imperial Palace guy.   Met him a couple of times when he was building the racetrack.  Including when it was just dirt and sand.