In September 1961, American race car driver (retired) and automotive designer Carroll Shelby wrote to AC asking if they would build him a car modified to accept a V8 engine. Bristol engines for the AC Ace two-seater sports car had recently been discontinued. AC agreed, provided a suitable engine could be found. Shelby went to Chevrolet to see if they would provide him with engines, but not wanting to add competition to the Corvette they said no. However, Ford wanted a car that could compete with the Corvette and they happened to have a brand new engine which could be used in this endeavor: the Windsor 3.6-litre (221 cu in) engine – a new lightweight, thin-wall cast small-block V8. Ford provided Shelby with two engines.
One of my students got an internship at the Shelby replica facility in Irvine, CA and I was invited to visit the showroom and see how they were assembled. The car bodies are built in South Africa and shipped to California in shipping containers where the engines and drivetrains are added.
Click below on a photo for a larger gallery
Bodies roll out of container 
Bodies come in from South Africa 
Engines