Carroll Shelby GT500 Mustang Custom Fit Exclusive 3 Piece Luggage Set
As the president of a vintage car club and director of its performance driving program, I get to sample a variety of automotive accessory items. This appears to be the month of testing my Carroll Shelby product and the new product being tested is a 3 piece luggage set that has been custom designed to fit the trunk of the Shelby GT500 -After installation of the speaker system Shaker 1000 mounted in the trunk.
Before I discuss the quality and practical details, I’d like to write a few words about the clever and subtle design features that allow 3 substantial pieces of luggage to fit into what appears to be severely limited space. The deepest part of the trunk, just behind the rear seats, is just over 9 inches high with a slight downward slope. The Rolling Duffel – 22″ X 14″ X 9″ – with a Shelby signature extendable handle, is a rigid molded frame bag that not only qualifies as an airline carry-on, but holds its shape in small allotted area capacity – 26″ X 15″ X 15″ – soft-sided rolling duffel bag not only has Mag Style wheels, a Shelby-exclusive extendable metal handle, but also a separate framed bottom section for suits , dresses, etc The third piece is a large capacity tote bag – 24″ X 15″ X 14″ that fits on the side facing the trunk lock unit. When all 3 pieces are in place, there is still room in the trunk. Driver side wheel well for a computer bag or briefcase.
Over the past month, this baggage has been put to the test. The tote bag, used to carry my driving suit, shoes, helmet, and assorted track necessities, spent a weekend being pushed, pulled, and dumped around our tiny garage at the track. The other two pieces shared the truck bed with tools, tires and engine parts. Not a pretty sight, but this ‘ballistic nylon’ luggage was virtually unmarked and wiped clean with a damp cloth. The luggage also made a 300 (plus) mile road trip up the Pacific coast followed a week later by another 300 (plus) miles to Joshua Tree National Park. I am still looking for significant signs of wear.
Utility luggage features include a soft yet strong polyester broadcloth lining, multiple cosmetic and accessory pockets with heavy-duty zippers, and a garment pocket built into the large wheeled bag. The extendable metal handle on the rolling parts has a nice tight grip and the wheel assemblies (Mag Style) ran smoothly and, imagination being a wonderful thing, seemed to bend as if warped and touched.
Attention to detail: Carroll Shelby metal insignia, signature replicas and correct logo designs strategically embroidered on luggage, correct signature on extendable handle, rubber logo molded into piece carry handles rolling wheels, it all adds to the overall quality look and feel. .