The So Cal Shelby Club began the way many great car stories do - a few owners, a new model, and a social media feed full of exhaust notes and late-night cruises. When the fifth generation (2015-2020) Shelby GT350 first hit the streets, there were few of them around. In 2017, a small group of Southern California owners started meeting up, and by 2018, they made things official when they launched their Instagram page. That decision changed everything.
"It really began as a group of guys who owned the new Shelby GT350s,"" club President Steve explains. "We were posting pictures and videos, and other owners would reach out to ask what we were doing and how they could get involved. Social media brought everyone together. People saw our cars, saw the club, and wanted to be a part of it."
What started as a casual group of friends unwinding after work has grown into one of the most active Shelby communities in the country. Today, the So Cal Shelby Club has around sixty members in California, along with many more supporters throughout the United States and across the world. While Steve and Jimmy now lead the organization, the club's identity is shaped by a dedicated group of board members who help plan events, support new members, and keep the community strong.
Even with that growth, the heart of the club has stayed the same. It is still about driving, friendship, and community. Regular events such as Cars & Coffee meets, canyon cruises, and holiday gatherings bring members together. Families are encouraged to join in, and the relationships built at these events often stretch far beyond the cars (anything automotive).
The club's largest tradition is its annual Las Vegas event, which began in 2021. So Cal members meet early in the morning near the I-15 freeway, then cruise as a group to Barstow to meet with additional owners along the way. The combined group heads to Las Vegas as one long line of Shelbys.
By the time they reach the city, they are joined by owners from Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Texas, and Illinois, along with international enthusiasts. In recent years, participants have even flown in from France and Colombia, rented Shelbys, and joined the cruise after discovering the club on social media.
"One of the most incredible parts of the Vegas weekend is the strip cruise," says Vice President Jimmy. "We usually have 300 or more cars. People stop on the sidewalks, watch from the hotel balconies, record videos… it becomes a full-scale show for the entire city."
The club has also has built a strong relationship with Team Shelby.
"The club partnered with Team Shelby during the Vegas weekend by hosting a special Cars and Coffee style car show with awards, vendors, and exclusive Shelby merchandise," Jimmy explained. "One of the most memorable moments personally was during our strip cruise. Rolling down Las Vegas Boulevard with hundreds of Shelbys following behind, Aaron Shelby looked over at me and said, 'I wish my grandfather could see this.' to me. It was a powerful reminder of how far the Shelby legacy has reached and how strong this community has become."
From daily social media presence to organizing hundreds of cars on the Las Vegas Strip, the So Cal Shelby Club shows what passion and consistency can build. What began with a few late model Shelby GT350 owners meeting for fun has evolved into a respected and influential group, inspiring the next generation of Shelby drivers and proving that a community fueled by passion can grow into something far bigger than anyone expected.