2025: The Year of the Drive

  Chuck Cantwell is one of the most pivotal yet often unsung figures in Shelby history. As the lead project engineer behind the Shelby Mustang GT350, Cantwell was the man Carroll Shelby trusted to take the Mustang from modest pony car to track-dominating legend. Hired by Shelby American in 1964, Cantwell quickly became the brain behind the machine that would change American motorsports.

Tasked with transforming Ford’s Mustang into a race-ready SCCA B-Production contender, Cantwell led development of both the street GT350 and the track-focused GT350R. His engineering decisions and hands-on approach helped create a car that dominated its class and made Shelby a household name. Under Cantwell’s guidance, the GT350R won the SCCA B-Production championship three years in a row, solidifying its place in racing history.

More than just a designer, Cantwell was also a test driver, tuner, and trusted leader. He worked side by side with legends like Ken Miles and Peter Brock. Carroll Shelby respected Cantwell’s work so much that he largely gave him the reins and let the results speak for themselves. According to Cantwell, “He kept track of what we were doing, but he didn’t meddle.”

After his time at Shelby American, Cantwell joined Roger Penske’s racing program, where he helped develop Trans-Am cars and contributed to the success of Mark Donohue’s Porsche 917/30 project. He later transitioned into aerospace engineering, finishing his career at Lockheed Martin before retiring in 2002.

Cantwell is also the author of Shelby Mustang GT350: My Years Designing, Testing and Racing Carroll’s Legendary Mustangs, a rich, firsthand account of his time with Shelby that remains a definitive source for enthusiasts and historians.

In 2025, we were honored to welcome Chuck Cantwell as our VIP guest. His presence brought a direct link to the roots of the Shelby GT350 program. With his stories, wisdom, and unmistakable passion for precision and performance, Cantwell reminded us all what made Shelby a legend and what continues to drive it forward.