Segerstrom Shelby Event Center - Irvine, California

The Segerstrom Shelby Event Center in Irvine is a purpose-built space that blends a focused muscle-car collection with an active event venue and a clear charitable mission. Centered on the legacy of Carroll Shelby and Ford performance, it offers visitors an up-close look at Cobras, Shelbys, high-performance Mustangs, and period memorabilia, while directing net proceeds to Shriners for Children Medical Center - Pasadena and the Carroll Shelby Foundation.

The center is the creation of Ted and Rae Segerstrom, whose family name is long associated with Orange County agriculture and real estate development, including South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Ted’s enthusiasm for American performance cars began with a family hand-me-down Mustang and evolved into a lifelong Shelby passion. He acquired his first Shelby, a 1967 GT500, in the 1980s and has since developed a particular affinity for 1968 GT500KR convertibles; the event center is home to what is described as one of the strongest groupings of these cars anywhere.

Together, Ted and Rae have assembled a collection of more than 90 Shelby and Ford vehicles, complemented by rows of petroliana and Shelby-related artifacts. The emphasis is firmly American: street and racing Cobras, vintage Mustangs, and other Blue Oval performance icons presented in a way that appeals to both marque loyalists and general enthusiasts.

As its name suggests, the facility is also configured as an event space, supporting club gatherings, private functions, and “happenings” designed to bring the local car community together. Guided and private tours are available for groups, allowing for deeper dives into the provenance of individual cars and the story of Carroll Shelby’s impact on American performance culture.

Both founders take a visibly hands-on approach, often greeting visitors and groups themselves. That personal involvement underpins the center’s dual identity: part enthusiast collection, part philanthropic platform. For visitors, the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center offers a concentrated view of Shelby history in an environment that balances display quality with accessibility, while quietly channeling admission and event revenue toward pediatric medical care and automotive-related educational support.