When most people hear the name Carroll Shelby, they think of legendary Mustangs, Cobras and a remarkable racing career. But the Carroll Shelby Collection at the Northeast Texas Community College Library tells a much bigger story.
Established to help educate the public about Shelby's life and legacy, the collection explores far more than automobiles. Shelby was also an entrepreneur, philanthropist and visionary whose impact extended well beyond the racetrack. Through books covering history, engineering, business, food, event management and personal triumph, readers can discover the many facets of one of Texas' most iconic figures.
The collection has grown thanks in large part to the generosity of longtime Carroll Shelby enthusiast Steve Borkowski, a dedicated supporter of the Carroll Shelby Automotive Institute at NTCC. Borkowski has donated many of the books in the collection and recently shared several of his favorite recommendations.
Among them are World War II Veterans in Motorsports, which chronicles the wartime experiences of legendary drivers before they became racing icons; The Great Chili Confrontation and A Bowl of Red, which tell the story behind the famous Terlingua chili cook-offs; Equations of Motion, the autobiography of renowned automotive engineer William Milliken; and Snakebit, the story of one of Shelby's rare automotive ventures that fell short, offering an interesting business case study.
The collection also includes The Complete Guide to Special Event Management, featuring Shelby's large-scale Los Angeles chili cook-offs; By Brooks Too Broad for Leaping, the memoir of pioneering race driver and journalist Denise McCluggage; and Archie and the Listers, the inspiring story of race car driver Archie Brown, who overcame significant birth defects to compete at the highest levels of motorsports.
"We're grateful to Steve Borkowski for helping build this unique collection," said Austin Maness, director of the Carroll Shelby Automotive Institute at NTCC. "His passion for Carroll Shelby's legacy has helped create a resource that goes far beyond automotive history. Whether your interests are business, engineering, history or simply a great story, there's something here for everyone."
The Carroll Shelby Collection is available through the NTCC Library and is open to students, employees and community members. Stop by and explore one of the college's most unique collections—you may come for the cars, but you'll leave with a much broader appreciation for the man behind them.
