Ted Segerstrom’s family settled in Orange County in 1898 and began growing dry lima beans. Following WWII, the family began developing commercial real estate. The crown jewel of their enterprise is South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, first opened in 1966 and currently the highest grossing shopping center in the US.

Ted stayed close to his family roots. He takes great pride in continuing the Segerstrom tradition as a 4th-generation California farmer. When not behind the wheel of the family business, he serves as President of Operations at the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center in Irvine.

Ted’s automotive enthusiasm began when his sister gave him a hand-me-down 1966 Mustang, followed by a 1972 Mach 1. He bought his first Shelby in 1986, a 1967 GT500 that he still owns. Ted has a special passion for 1968 GT500KR convertibles, and the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center has perhaps the finest collection of these rare muscle cars in the world.

Ted and his wife Rae have collected more than 90 Shelby and Ford vehicles and established the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center to share them with the public. Driven by their passion for philanthropy, net proceeds from the center are donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Carroll Shelby Foundation.

Ted, a 32nd Degree Mason, maintains close ties to Masonic organizations, including participating in Shriner Tin Lizzies parades and events. He enjoys the hands-on aspects of running the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center. “People are always amazed that we’re at the front door when they come in,” he says. “I want you to enjoy automotive history in a fun and interesting place, learn about Carroll and the history of Shelby, and make your own memories with us.”

Rae Segerstrom’s family moved from Chicago to Southern California in the 1960s and never looked back. Her father, who raced stock cars before he married, shared the automotive bug with Rae, and she became his constant helper in the garage. Her first car was a 1962 Mercury Comet. Per her father’s rules, Rae had to rebuild the engine before she was allowed to drive it.

She met Ted in the 1970s when they were involved in Masonic youth groups. “Our first date in Ted’s Mach 1 in 1975 and we got into an accident,” she recalled.

The time was not yet right for Rae and Ted, who eventually married others and started their respective families. Rae built a career as a Registered Dental Assistant and started a second career at a travel agency.

Years later, she reconnected with Ted and they married in 2004. As Vice President of Operations at Segerstrom Shelby Event Center, Rae handles accounting and payroll, greets visiting groups at the front door, and employs her skills at embroidery for Segerstrom-branded items in the gift shop.

Rae has a soft spot for the Series 1 Shelby, as well as another Ford — her 1956 Thunderbird that sits outside her office so she can view it daily and smile. “The biggest thing I want is for people to come in and learn about Carroll, and about how things were back then,” she says “And my door is always open if they have a question.”