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As President of a Vintage Car Club and a Director of its performance driving program, I get to test a variety of automotive accessory items. This seems to be my Carroll Shelby product test month 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 instalation of the trunk mounted shaker 1000 speaker system.
Before discussing the quality and utiitarian details, I’d like to write a few words about the clever, subtle design features that enables 3 substantial luggage pieces to fit in, what appears to be, severely limited space. The deepest part of the trunk, just behind the rear seats is slightly over 9 inches high with a slight down slope. The wheeled overnight bag -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 maintains its shape in the small area allocated. The large capacity – 26″ X 15″ X 15″- soft sided wheeled duffle not only has Mag Style Wheels, a Shelby signature extendable metal handle, but also a separate lower framed section for suits, dresses, etc. The third piece is a large capacity – 24″ X 15″ X 14″ – hand carry duffle that fits on it side facing the trunk locking unit. When all 3 pieces are in place, there is still room in the drivers side wheel well for a computer bag or briefcase.
Over the past month, this luggage has been put through the wringer. The hand carry duffle, being used to carry my driving suit, shoes, helmet and a variety of track necessities, spent a weekend being pushed, pulled and tossed around our small garage at the track. The other two pieces shared the truck bed with tools, tires and back up engine parts. It was not a pretty sight, but this ‘Ballistic Nylon’ luggage had virtually no scuffs and cleaned up with a damp cloth. The luggage also made 300 (plus) mile road trip up the Pacific Coast followed a week later to another 300 (plus) miles to Joshua Tree National park. I’m still looking for significant signs of wear.
The utilitarian features of the luggage includes a soft but tough Polyester Broadcloth lining, multiple cosmetic and accessory pockets with rugged zippers and a built in laundry pocket in the large wheeled duffle. The extendable metal handle on the rolling pieces has a well fitted grip and the (Mag Style) wheel assemblies ran smoothly and, imagination being a wonderful thing, they appeared to corner as if they were cambered and toed out.
The attention to detail- metal Carroll Shelby Badge, signature replications and correct logo designs embroidered strategically on the luggage, correct signature on the extendable handle, rubber molded logo in the carry handles of the rolling pieces – all add to the overall quality appearance and feel.
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