Where Cars Meet Culture
Apr 03, 2025
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Shelby Factory At 1042 Princeton Drive

13 years ago
1 min read
Members of the Los Angeles Shelby Club Gather to Tour the building, thanks to the generosity of the current owner who opened the space for the club.

I was lucky enough to be invited to a special event at the original Shelby Factory at 1042 Princeton Drive in Venice, California. The same factory that Steve McQueen and Carroll Shelby were photographed in front of with the Black 289 Cobra. This was the first California home of Shelby American, and the factory that prepped race cars, built street cars, and created legends. Today it is being redeveloped into what looks like a live/workspace, the open fields that once surrounded it are now covered by towering apartment buildings. Curious neighbors came by to see what the crowd was about many not knowing that the building was once home to Shelby American.

1042 Princeton Drive
Inside the once-busy production area and race shop
Standing in the back lot where Shelby took many photos with an LA Shelby Club member’s 66 Shelby GT350 R Model (photo by Bo Bushnell)
A 1965 Shelby GT350 finds it way home
Legendary men and cars went through this door, we were lucky enough to have former Shelby Driver Allen Grant on hand as well as several former employees to give us an idea of what the building was like in the 60’s.

Michael Satterfield

Michael Satterfield, founder of The Gentleman Racer, is a storyteller, adventurer, and automotive expert whose work blends cars, travel, and culture. As a member of The Explorers Club, he brings a spirit of discovery to his work, whether uncovering forgotten racing history or embarking on global expeditions. His site has become a go-to destination for car enthusiasts and style aficionados, known for its compelling storytelling and unique perspective. A Texan with a passion for classic cars and motorsports, Michael is also a hands-on restorer, currently working on a 1960s SCCA-spec Formula Super Vee and other project cars. As the head of the Satterfield Group, he consults on branding and marketing for top automotive and lifestyle brands, bringing his deep industry knowledge to every project.

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