Shelby Cobra to headline 2012 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

We're only one day out of the Pebble Beach weekend, and already Cobra enthusiasts are sharpening their fangs for next year's event.

Announced on Sunday, Cobras from all over the world will rally in Monterey, Calif., next year as the featured marque on Aug. 17-19 for the 2012 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The selection was revealed after the closing awards ceremony by Gill Campbell, CEO and general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Carroll Shelby created the Shelby Cobra in 1962 to battle in the World Sports Car Championship with the likes of Ferrari and Lotus. The car narrowly missed winning the World Sports Car Championship in 1964 and took the crown in 1965.

Shelby chose Ford engines to power the car, using the 260-cubic-inch Windsor V8 for the first batch of sports cars followed by the 289 V8. Later, a 390 was installed, then the famous 427 side-oiler.

Next year will be the 39th year of historic racing at Laguna Seca and the first time the Shelby Cobra will be celebrated. Carroll Shelby was honored in 1997 at the event, then called the Monterey Historic Automobile Races.

Monterey car week is packed with car shows, vintage racing and car auctions. Autoweek will be there providing streaming photo galleries and live coverage of the Pebble Beach Concours, historic racing at Laguna Seca, the Monterey car auctions and plenty more. Go to autoweek.com/pebblebeach for complete coverage and live updates.

By Jake Lingeman