** THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED (1/3/05) **

From the company that brought you the legendary C’était un Rendezvous by Claude Lelouch - this long-awaited double DVD, is finally released. Bonus features include picture galleries from the shoot at Goodwood , the original wars, exclusive interviews/unseen footage as well as deleted scenes. There’s even full transcripts of over six hours of interviews conducted with Shelby giving a unique insight into the man himself and the uncensored history - spilling the beans on the back-door shenanigans/politics. Possibly the definitive DVD on the subject.

"I spent a whole lot of time with Richard on this and he's really nailed it. Got all the right people, from Dan Gurney to Lee Iacocca. It's a wonderful, wonderful story and I've never seen anybody tell it better. I'm very proud to have been part of it." Carroll Shelby

Scroll down to enter our competition and win a copy of the Cobra Ferrari Wars

In 1952, Carroll Shelby, was a bankrupt chicken farmer from Texas. In his early '30s with a young family, it was time to take stock. Re-join the rat race or follow his heart; motor-racing?

By 1959 Shelby had achieved the unimaginable and beat Ferrari at Le Mans. For Shelby the victory was a personal one, the culmination of his hard work in Europe, racing for the fledgling Aston Martin team against the crown prince of the track - Enzo Ferrari, a man whose imperious manner and manipulating intrigues had rubbed Shelby up the wrong way.

But Shelby had a secret - he’d barely survived the gruelling 24 hour race by popping nitro pills to ease the pains in his chest. Doctors forced him to announce a very premature retirement.

With Shel’s career cut short at its peak, and the arrival of the new Ferrari GTO, Enzo’s return to total dominance was assured, but Shelby had a dream - he’d build his own car and take back the crown. The rest of the world laughed and so began the Cobra Ferrari wars.

The participants and extraordinary footage tell how sheer determination, self belief and circumstances combine to propel a bunch of Southern Californian hot rodders and their charismatic leader against incredible odds to wage war against Europe’s motor racing aristocracy.

From an idea and just one employee (his girlfriend at the time), Shelby’s 3 year roller coaster ride sees him go on to make some of the most desirable cars on the planet (the Cobra, Mustang, and GT40), grow to 800 employees across 5 racing teams, and ultimately beat Enzo Ferrari and the European establishment.

Written, produced and directed by Richard Symons, it embraces the 60s with a carefully crafted soundtrack and fast-paced split screen style. Assembling the cars (some £15 million worth) to film them on the track is an achievement in itself, add to this exclusive interviews with all the participants (from mechanics, girlfriends, Ford execs, drivers), some extraordinary archive footage and you’ve got one of the most comprehensive films ever made on the subject.


"I spent a whole lot of time with Richard on this and he's really nailed it. Got all the right people, from Dan Gurney to Lee Iacocca. It's a wonderful, wonderful story and I've never seen anybody tell it better. I'm very proud to have been part of it." Carroll Shelby

Well before its first transmission date it has attracted enormous publicity due to its unusual crossover between a very human story and some of the most desirable "boys toys" around, lovingly shot to capture their beauty and take the viewer right into the driving seat to experience their staggering performance. Indeed it was this crossover that led the BBC to commission the film and the directors’ grandmother to whisper, "I want a Cobra".

This double DVD set features picture galleries from the shoot (at Goodwood racetrack), the War itself, over 90 minutes of unseen footage/interviews as well as deleted scenes. There’s even full transcripts of over six hours of interviews conducted with Shelby giving a unique insight into the man himself and the uncensored history - spilling the beans on the back-door shenanigans/politics.

Competition exclusive to subscribers of Classic Inside -

10 copies of the double DVD set are up for grabs to those correctly answering the following question:

"What was the hardtop, coupé version of the Cobra commonly called?"

All answers to [email protected] with your full name and address. Competition closes 28th February 2005. The winners will be chosen at random from all correctly answered entries.

Note; The competition is only open to current subscribers of our critically-acclaimed newsletter 'Classic Inside'. Non-subscribers entering will automatically be included in future newsletter distribution. Click HERE for full subscription details.

The double DVD set is available direct from www.spiritlevelfilm.com

To view a trailer for the DVD please CLICK HERE - requires Apple 'Quick Time' viewer.

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