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Greetings!
Le Mans seems like a distant memory. Our primary focus there was the DeltaWing, which did fabulously well until hour 6 when an overzealous Toyota prototype driver took it out. Our story in Automobile magazine is on stands now and our story for Grassroots Motorsports will be in the next issue. We'll also have stories in the next Corvette and Forza magazines.
Just prior to Le Mans we met with Nick and Sam in England, to view their nearly completed Daytona Coupe. It's a difficult car to replicate so I'm doubly impressed when someone, especially half-way across the world, gets it right. It was a pleasure to see.
Next on our calendar was Pikes Peak, which unfortunately was cancelled due to the massive fires in that area. It's now been rescheduled, but to just before Monterey so we won't be able to make it. First time in 13 years we won't be there.
Our current focus is now on the Monterey Motorsports Reunion (formerly called the Monterey Historics). With Cobra being the marque, and its 50th anniversary, it's a really large event for us. We will be staying at a motel with more than 20 other Cobra Coupes. Activities start Wed evening at McCall's Motorworks Revival (great people watching), then Thu morning a Shelby American panel, etc, etc, etc! (schedule details below).
We've also been scouring the archives for more Cobra posters and have three additional ones we'll be offering there (and on the website now while supplies last). This includes the first poster I ever designed for Shelby American, which commemorates the Cobra roadster's championships in 1963 and the original 1997 Monterey Historics poster when Carroll Shelby was the Honoree (nice artwork by Bill Neale). Also, for a few years now we've been looking for a nice sweatshirt. We've finally found one and turned it into a Cobra must-have, which we describe below.
Last but not least, we're very excited to be making available (via a raffle) one of my personal, limited edition numbered and fully autographed, Daytona Cobra Coupe books (a value of more than $4000 which anyone can be lucky enough to win). Details below.
August is going to be the greatest Cobra month over. We hope to see you somewhere soon.
Enjoy,
Peter (& Gayle) Brock
BRE
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Monterey Schedule
Highlights of Cobra-related activities
- Wed night 8/15 - Every year we look forward to starting Monterey week with Gordon McCall's Motorworks Revival at the Monterey Jet Center. It is people watching at its best, while being surrounded by not only incredible cars but also private and military aircraft, high-end watches and other big-people toys. Gordon brings in the best of everything, including wonderful wines and foods. This year, 17 Cobra Daytona Coupes from our group will be on display! They expect the event to sell out so be sure to order your tickets soon.
- Thu 10am-11:30amCobra Racers Panel - This panel discussion and audience question and answer session will be held at the Monterey Marriott, moderated by Jonathan Stein. Panel members will include Peter Brock, John Morton, Lew Spencer. Attendance is free but seating is limited so an RSVP is needed here.
- Thu 9:15-10ampre-sales/autographs at Cobra Racers Panel - Hagerty is providing lunch immediately after the Cobra panel and has asked that people get autographs before the panel begins so that everyone can get to lunch on time. We will have a small quantity of items available for purchase starting at 9:15am, which will include Colin Comer's book Cobra Fifty Years. Colin will be joining us during this time to autograph books for you.
- Thu 7pm The Monterey Fish House. We aren't going to do any kind of group dinner, but the BRE crew is going to be having dinner at this really fun, small restaurant on Thu night, starting at 7pm. If you'd like to "have dinner" with us (and maybe see some fun cars in the parking lot), feel free to also have dinner here Thu at 7pm (-: It's a small place so all tables see all other tables. It's run by a local fishing family so the food is the best! Make your reservation soon as every night they fill.
- Fri-Sun 8:30am-5pm the track action begins at Laguna Seca. Our booth will be at the end of vendor row (the end farthest away from the pedestrian bridge and closest to the food). We will be bringing several limited edition items so you'll want to visit us sooner than later to be sure we have what you want.
We will also have an autograph session Fri and Sat at our booth at the track with Peter Brock, John Morton (Cobra driver) and author Sylvia Wilkinson (who's second edition of her book on the BRE Datsun race team; "The Stainless Steel Carrot" will be just released and available from us at the event). Autograph times will be limited due to John racing on track most of the time. Autograph times will be posted at our booth.
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Resurrecting some classic Cobra posters
Available while quantities last
 This is the very first Shelby racing poster
At the end of the 1963 season, I created this poster to celebrate the Cobra's National Championships: USRRC Manufacturer, USRRC Driver (Bob Holbert) and SCCA A Production Championship.
I used a subtle block of color at the top of the poster to contrast the photo of the impactful roadsters below. I then punched the message out (3 championships in the year '63) by using the same numbers I had designed for the cars to wear, a rounded style to compliment the Cobra roadster's rounded shape. You can order yours here
 Celebrate the Cobra Daytona Coupe's first victory with artist George Bartell's iconic rendition of the event. I met Bartell while at Art Center College in 1956. He became my go-to artist when I wanted to market the successes of Shelby American with something more creative, symbolic and punchy than photography. I would provide the art direction and Bartell would deliver the art. It's a partnership that still exists today. Love you George!
 In 1997, Carroll Shelby was the honoree for the Monterey Historics. It was the first time the Cobras were honored at this event. This is the original printing of the 1997 event poster and a second printing of the poster won't be done. The artwork, by Carroll's life-long friend Bill Neale, contains a wonderful portrait of Carroll and a wide array of the cars Carroll was associated with throughout his long and illustrious automotive career. Get it now before they're gone.
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New Cobra Pullover
Our search for the perfect cool weather pullover has ended
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 We've been wanting to find a high quality, crisply designed sweatshirt/pullover. This is it, a pullover worthy of sharing our enthusiasm for Cobras. The pullover is a dark navy blue with classy gray and medium blue lettering on the front that says, "1965 World GT Champion" with the traditional Cobra chant on the back.
This pullover is soft and warm, made out of anti-static fleece which wicks away moisture from inner layers and keeps you dry and comfortable. And sure it's comfortable but what we love most is the style. The light gray contrasting collar lining and ¼ zip opening make this whatever you'd like: a zipped up sports jacket or a zipped down dressy pullover. The design is finished off with raglan sleeves with open cuffs and hem.
We can't wait for our supply to arrive August 10th, right in time for Monterey! Order yours now and it will ship on the 10th.
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The 1995 definitive book on the Daytona Cobra Coupes
One of only 38 Artist Proof editions: This book has been in my vault since 1995 (really, in my vault)
 We've been in a quandary as to how to make this book available. Do we contact someone we know that's been looking for a limited edition, signed version? Do we put it on eBay and let the highest bidder win? Or do we give everyone an equal opportunity, and maybe someone that could never afford its >$4000 value gets a chance to own it.
In 1995 when my book on the Daytona Cobra Coupes was published, 400 books were given chassis plates and contained 44 signatures including Coupe drivers (21 in all), crew members, Carroll and myself. These books regularly sell for over $4000. Never sold to the general public, were 38 Artist Proof (AP) books. These AP books contained a chassis plate on the inside cover that, for example, had stamped "Chassis No. AP 18/38" and included the driver and crew signatures.
In celebration of the Cobra's 50th Anniversary, I am going to part with my AP 18/38 book. We will be selling raffle tickets for $20 each at Monterey but will also be selling tickets through the website. Every chance purchased through the website will be assigned a raffle ticket, just like if you bought the ticket from us at Monterey. August 21st, the day after we return from Monterey, I will be handed a bowl of tickets and I will pull the winning ticket. In purchasing your "ticket" online, you will have given us all your contact info and the winner will be contacted immediately.
We are very excited to think that anyone/everyone has the opportunity to own this very special book. Go here for your chance to win.
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As you can tell from the above, a lot of things are coming together for the Cobra celebration in August.
So much that we forgot to mention that Rinsey Mills, the author of Carroll's biography, visited us a few weeks ago. He was kind enough to sign some copies of his book while here. The books will be marked as signed on our website, until we run out. So if you order one here and see on the website that it says "signed", you will receive a book signed by Rinsey.
We are very excited as August nears. We hope you join us in some way, whether it's to get one of these new posters, have a chance to win my special book, or join us Thu night 8/16 at the Monterey Fish House (wearing your stylish new Cobra pullover).
Whew... we think that's all, for now!
All the best,
Gayle & Peter Brock
BRE
342 Sunpac Ct
Henderson, NV 89011
702-558-3374
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