For fans of classic race cars, the Shelby American Collection is a dream come true.

The nonprofit Gunbarrel museum pays tribute to American car designer and racer Carroll Shelby, creator of the Cobra and Shelby Mustang. Currently filled with 64 cars from a series of collectors, the Shelby American Collection has now doubled in size, expanding into a warehouse next door.

The 10,000-square-foot event center at 5035 Chaparral Court is the new home of the collection’s Ford GT and GT40 race cars. The exhibit spans the cars’ history, including models from the early 1960s through 2022.

“We have the finest collection of Shelby race cars in the world in these two buildings,” said Steve Volk, executive director of the Shelby American Collection. “There’s nothing that even comes close.”

Before acquiring the event center, many of the GTs and GT40s were in the museum across the street at 5020 Chaparral Court. Others were in storage.Sitting in the event center is the Ford GT40 that won the Le Mans and Daytona races in 1966. Another car, which was driven by Mario Andretti, set a track record of 232 miles per hour at the 1967 Le Mans.

“These cars are priceless,” Volk said. “We have cars that are in the $30 million range.”

The event center used to house local company Precision Plumbing. In January, museum staff began refurbishing the building, tearing down office walls and adding theatrical lighting.

“We wanted to go up-market and really have an elegant space for the GT40s and the Ford GTs,” Volk said. “And I think we accomplished that.”

In addition to rows of meticulously cared-for race cars, the event center features a library filled with books on cars. Books can’t be checked out, but anyone is welcome to stop by and access them.

There’s also a new auto shop for staff to tinker with the museum’s cars.

“In the past, we’ve worked on the cars right where they sit,” explained Doug Graham, director of operations for the museum.

Lining the back wall of the center is a massive watercolor mural of Le Mans in the 1960s. Famous racers from the past, including Ken Miles and Bruce McLaren, stand together and gaze out at the real-life cars in front of them.

Before moving into the event center, Volk said the museum was able to host small corporate events. Adding a dedicated space for events, however, will allow the nonprofit group to host bigger gatherings, like weddings.

On Aug. 31, the new event space debuted to the public during the museum’s annual car show and party. Volk said 800 people attended the grand opening.

Since the Ford GTs and GT40s were moved into the event center, the original museum building has been given more room to breathe. For 28 years, the warehouse has dazzled guests with its historic cars and memorabilia, from posters to trophies to autographed portraits of racing legends. The museum also holds Shelby’s first Cobra from 1962.

“Every single car that is in both of these buildings is of importance one way or another — the first one, the only one, won the most races,” Graham said. “There’s quite a few Shelby museums around America. This one is, bar none, untouchable.”

When the museum is open on Saturdays, it pulls in anywhere from 200 to 300 people. Graham said racing fans from all over the world travel to Boulder County to see the museum. One year, the Mustang Club of France showed up, unannounced, for a tour.

Volk has been involved with the museum since it opened in 1996. He’s also a racer. He started getting behind the wheels of Cobras and GT40s in the 1980s.

“Cars like these are the upper echelon,” Volk said. “This is the best of American ingenuity.”

The museum is open to the public on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for both buildings. Kids 12 and under are free. For more information, visit shelbyamericancollection.org.