Got Questions for Star-studded Panel at All-American Cruise-In?
We’ll be interviewing some high-profile Shelby legends and Ford v Ferrari experts on Jan. 26, so what do you want to know?
Mustang fans have a special treat in store on January 26, when the Petersen Automotive Museum is set to host Bruce Meyer’s All-American Cruise-In. It’s the latest in the museum’s monthly themed cruise-ins, which Petersen puts on the last Sunday of each month. This month promises to be particularly enticing for Mustang fans, especially those with an appreciation for Carroll Shelby. Petersen promises a massive turnout of original Cobras, Shelby vehicles, continuation cars, all-american classics, and more. Along with special programming celebrating Shelby and the hit movie Ford v Ferrari.
Following the cruise-in, guests can attend a very special panel discussion moderated by Petersen Founding Chairman Bruce Meyer. The panel consists of a host of Shelby American legends who will discuss the film’s portrayal of the real-life events leading up to the team’s unprecedented victory at Le Mans. You can find all of the information on this exciting event by visiting our coverage here.
Even if you’re unable to make the cruise-in, we’re excited to report that we here at The Mustang Source will be in attendance with access to interviewing these high-profile influencers from the automotive world. So, we want to know: What questions do you have for the Mustang elite? We want to hear from you, true Ford fans, so check out this forum thread and add your questions here!
We’ll pick the best questions and ask the panel Then we’ll share the results in a post following the event. Now is your time to sound off, it is expected to be a fascinating conversation, so join in!
Take a look at the list of VIPs below:
Bruce Meyer’s American Car Cruise-in Featured Panelists
Bruce Meyer (Moderator)
Bruce Meyer is the Petersen Museum’s first chairman, founding board member, and founder of the Checkered Flag 200. A world-class car collector and Bonneville record holder, Meyer’s passionate support and inspirational enthusiasm have helped elevate the Petersen to its premier status. He is the quintessential car guy whose motto exemplifies his worldview–never lift!
A.J. Baime
A.J. Baime is the New York Times bestselling author of “Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans.” While writing “Go Like Hell,” Baime interviewed numerous luminaries from the Golden Age of Racing including Carroll Shelby, Lee Iacocca, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, Lloyd Ruby, Mario Andretti, Bob Bondurant, Peter Miles, Edsel Ford, Piero Ferrari, and numerous members of Shelby American, from official team photographer Dave Friedman to engineering extraordinaires Phil Remington and Charlie Agapiou. Baime also writes the weekly “My Ride” car column in the Wall Street Journal.
Charles Agapiou
Charles Agapiou came to the United States from London in 1961. Agapiou was a chief mechanic and crew chief at Carroll Shelby Racing Team during the team’s pursuit of the World Championship in GT cars, first with the Shelby Cobra and later with the GT40 program for Shelby American in conjunction with Ford Motor Co, leading to the team’s overall Le Mans victory in 1966. Charles now runs one of the most successful Rolls-Royce and Bentley service facilities in Los Angeles.
Peter Miles
Peter Miles, son of Ken Miles, was 14 years old at the time of his father’s fatal crash. Shortly after his father’s death, Miles went to work for his father’s friend, Dick Troutman, at the Troutman and Barnes custom car shop in Culver City, CA. In 1986, Miles joined Precision Performance Inc. where he started out as a fabricator, then a mechanic, before finally advancing to the position of crew chief. Miles was the crew chief for Ivan Stewart when Stewart won the 1991 Nissan 400 in Nevada.
Aaron Shelby
Aaron Shelby is the grandson Carroll Shelby. In 2016, Shelby was named to the board for Carroll Shelby International, the umbrella organization under which the Shelby entities operate. In this role, he acts as a brand ambassador for Shelby and helps to maintain its relationship with Ford Motor Company. Currently, Aaron is the Executive Vice President of LegacyTexas and operates as the Subsidiary Manager overseeing LegacyTexas Title, LegacyTexas Mortgage and Commercial Lending Group.
Peter Brock
Peter Brock is an American automotive and trailer designer, author, and photojournalist best known for his work on the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe and Corvette Sting Ray. At age 19, Brock became the youngest designer ever hired by General Motors’ GM Styling design department. In November of 1957, Brock drew the sketch which GM VP of Design Bill Mitchell picked to become the design of the Corvette Sting Ray. Brock worked with Mitchell in 1958 in one of the design studios, creating the prototype of the Sting Ray racer. In 2010, the International Society for Vehicle Preservation presented Brock with its International Automotive Media Lifetime Achievement Award.
Allen Grant
Allen Grant was part of the Shelby American driver line-up in 1965. Shelby hired Grant as a welder on the street Cobra assembly line and then as a fabricator and mechanic in the race shop. When Shelby learned that Grant had a couple of years of college under his belt he promoted him to production control manager, sharing an office with Peter Brock. In 1965, Grant drove for Shelby at Daytona, Sebring, Monza, Goodwood, and Le Mans.
Lenny Shabes
Lenny Shabes is a producer, editor and director known for “Battle of the Supercars” (2010), “Overhaulin’” and “Marc & Todd’s Crazy Clips” (2013). For decades Shabes has been covering motorsports and the automotive industry and was one of the founding contributors to the Speed Channel. During his career, Shabes developed a close relationship with Carroll Shelby both on- and off-camera. In 2007, Shabes co-founded Torque TV, a startup OTT (over-the-top) digital television network for motorheads. He was both a board member and the director of programming through the successful sale of the company to The Enthusiast Network (now called the Motor Trend Group).
Photos: Petersen Automotive Museum