Segerstrom Shelby Event Center, Irvine, California – October 7, 2023
I’d known about the Shelby American Collection for a few years but had never made the stop — so when a trip to Los Angeles came up, I headed out early to finally check it out. From the outside, the Event Center is tucked away in an industrial park and gives almost nothing away, save for a vintage gas pump out front. Inside, it’s a combination car collection and event venue available to rent for corporate gatherings and private events, complete with meeting rooms, a bar, and a sprawling main floor. For me though, it’s all about the cars. Where else can you see so many Shelby models gathered in one place? It’s a treat to walk through the lineup and take it all in — though I’ll admit there’s a small part of me that wishes these beautiful machines were out in the world, being driven by enthusiasts rather than sitting behind a rope. But that’s the collector’s dilemma, I suppose!
