Memorabilia from the Oscar-nominated race film “Ford v Ferrari” — some of it autographed by co-stars Christian Bale and Matt Damon — will be auctioned off to benefit families of first responders battling COVID-19, two nonprofit foundations announced Friday.
The Carroll Shelby Foundation, founded by the late automotive designer and racing driver, said the proceeds will benefit the First Responders Children’s Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. Grants will be made to first responders facing financial hardship.
“The Carroll Shelby Foundation has financially supported families since Carroll Shelby established it in 1991,” said Neil Cummings, the foundation’s co-president. “Our two organizations are partnering to address the immediate needs of first responder families on the front lines fighting the COVID-19 crisis. We’re asking Shelby fans to join this effort by bidding on exclusive autographed `automobilia’ from the blockbuster film Ford v Ferrari.”
Items signed by Bale and Damon include:
— an original mini movie poster from the U.S. distribution of the film also signed by Charlie Agapiou, Shelby’s former crew chief, which includes an autopen version of Carroll Shelby’s signature; and
— a glovebox from the white Cobra driven by Bale during the film’s first race.
Other items to be auctioned include:
— an air bag cover for a 2010-2014 Ford Mustang personally signed by Carroll Shelby;
— a vinyl soundtrack album from the film signed by Peter Miles and Charlie Agapiou;
— a diecast Shelby American team GT40 in the Ken Miles Le Mans 1966 livery signed by Shelby’s grandson Aaron Shelby, Peter Miles and Charlie Agapiou; and
— a copy of A.J. Baime’s book “Go Like Hell,” personally signed by Carroll Shelby and the author.
The winning bidder for the book will also have the option for an unusual bonus: a call with Cummings to hear Shelby stories.
“During that conversation, I will share insights from my personal and business relationship with Carroll that began in 1991 and continued until the day he passed away,” Cummings said. “This conversation will include Shelby stories such as why Carroll originally created the foundation.”
In addition to awarding grants to first responders struggling to make ends meet as a result of the pandemic, FRCF also funds temporary housing and need-based grants to first responders and public safety agencies across the country. College scholarships for children of first responders who died as a result of COVID-19 are also available.
“For nearly two decades, we’ve funded millions of dollars in college scholarships to children with first responder parents who’ve been killed or injured in the line of duty,” said FRCF President Jillian Crane. “Our goal is to raise a minimum of $200 million to support first responders with immediate financial support as they battle the pandemic.”
In response to the pandemic, FRCF has already funded nearly 13,000 hotel room nights so that first responders can keep their families safe, awarded nearly $4.2 million in grants, distributed more than 400,000 surgical grade masks, and paid for 16 COVID-19-related funerals for first responders.
The auction memorabilia can be viewed online at www.shelby.com/ShelbyFoundation. One item per week will be posted on eBay beginning Friday. Donations are also welcome.