As president of a vintage car club and director of its performance driving program, I get to sample a variety of auto accessory items. This appears to be my Carroll Shelby product testing month and the new product being tested is a 3 piece luggage set that has been custom designed to fit the trunk of the Shelby GT500 -After system installation of Shaker 1000 speakers mounted in the trunk.

Before I discuss the quality and practicalities, I’d like to write a few words about the clever and subtle design features that allow 3 substantial pieces of luggage to fit into what appears to be severely limited space. The deepest part of the trunk, just behind the rear seats, is just over 9 inches high with a slight downward slope. The Wheeled Duffle Bag -22″ X 14″ X 9″ – with a Shelby signature extendable handle, is a rigid molded frame bag that not only qualifies as airline carry-on, but holds its shape in small area allotted capacity – 26″ X 15″ X 15″: soft sided wheeled duffel not only has Mag Style wheels, a Shelby-exclusive extendable metal handle, but also a separate framed bottom section for outfits , dresses, etc The third piece is a large capacity tote bag – 24″ X 15″ X 14″ that fits on the side facing the trunk lock unit. When all 3 pieces are in place there is still room in the Driver’s side wheel well for a computer bag or briefcase.

Over the past month, this baggage has been put to the test. The tote bag, used to carry my driving suit, shoes, helmet, and assorted track necessities, spent a weekend being pushed, pulled, and tossed around our little trackside garage. The other two pieces shared the truck bed with tools, tires and engine parts. It wasn’t a pretty sight, but this ‘ballistic nylon’ luggage was virtually unmarked and wiped clean with a damp cloth. The luggage also took a 300-mile road trip up the Pacific Coast followed a week later by another 300-mile to Joshua Tree National Park. I’m still looking for significant signs of wear.

The luggage’s utilitarian features include a soft yet sturdy polyester broadcloth lining, multiple cosmetic and accessory pockets with sturdy zippers, and a built-in garment pocket on the large wheeled bag. The extendable metal handle on the rolling parts has a tight grip and the wheel assemblies (Mag Style) worked flawlessly and, imagination being a wonderful thing, seemed to bend as if warped and touched.

Attention to detail: Carroll Shelby metal badge, signature replicas and correct logo designs strategically embroidered on luggage, correct signature on extendable handle, molded rubber logo on piece carry handles wheels, it all adds to the overall quality look and feel. .