Renowned Motorsports Photographer Dave Friedman Dies at 87

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Motorsports photographer Dave Friedman, known for his extensive documentation of sports car racing in America and Europe during the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 87. Friedman served as the staff photographer for Carroll Shelby's racing team from 1962 to 1965, capturing iconic images of the Shelby Cobra, King Cobra, and Cobra Daytona coupe. He continued his relationship with Shelby and Ford, photographing the development of the legendary GT40 race car that dominated Le Mans in the late 1960s.

Why it matters

Friedman's photography played a crucial role in preserving the visual history of one of the most celebrated eras in sports car racing. His work documented the design, development, and racing success of some of the most iconic American performance vehicles of the 20th century, cementing his legacy as a preeminent motorsports photographer.

The details

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Friedman began photographing local amateur sports car races around Los Angeles, where he met and befriended Carroll Shelby. In 1962, Shelby hired Friedman to document the Shelby Cobra program, and Friedman continued to work with Shelby and Ford through 1965. In addition to his racing photography, Friedman also worked as an assistant cameraman in the film industry, becoming the only still photographer ever elected to the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences.

• Friedman worked as the staff photographer for Shelby American from 1962 to 1965.
• Friedman continued to shoot for Shelby and Ford Motor Company in the years after his tenure with Shelby American.