Shelby warming up her Roush

Born and raised in California, Shelby Wolf has been around Mustangs all of her life.  Wolf, also known as “Shelby Cobra” or simply “Shelby” in the modeling industry, acquired a taste for American muscle from her father who worked for the Ford Motor Company.  “As a young girl, I remember never knowing from day to day what car my dad would bring home.  He liked to buy or trade Ford cars and trade or sell them after fixing them up.  The list of cars that my family has owned is crazy”, says Shelby.  With more than eight Mustangs, Shelby and her family have been owners of an impressive collection including two 1968 Mustangs, a 1969 Fast Back with a 289 and automatic transmission, a 1970 Boss 302, and a 1972 Mustang Grande with a 351 Cleveland.

Photo Credit: Dan Hill

“All my life I have played around the garage with my dad working on cars.  When I turned sixteen, he insisted that I learn all I need to know so I would never be stranded on the side of the road or dependent on a man to fix my car”, continued Shelby. 

In 2002, Shelby’s dad suffered a massive stroke.  A few years after his recovery, Shelby’s dad was inspired by the television show Mustangs Across America.  “One day we were watching the show and my dad blurted out that before he dies he wanted to drive across the country in a Mustang.  This began my search for just the right car and newest family addition.  After about a year of searching, I found a 2002 Stage 2 ROUSH Mustang.  I took my dad with me, drove almost four hours to see it, fell in love with it, and bought it”, says Shelby. 

Five years later, Shelby and her dad continue to work on Mustangs even though her dad has lost much of his speech, sight in his right eye, and the use of his right arm.  Shelby has also pursued modeling with Mustangs, but remains a true mechanic and enthusiast at heart.  “My car is more than just a Mustang to me.  It is a tribute to my dad and all he has done and taught me over the years.  Not just about Mustangs or Fords, but about the love of American muscle and respecting the road and horsepower under the hood”, says Shelby.