1965 Shelby Cobra Replica

Description

If you want a Cobra that merely looks like the original and tools around town like a regular car, there are plenty of choices. But if you want one that will actually go out on the track and open a can of whoop-ass on cars costing thousands more, then this Superformance Cobra is probably a better choice. With lightweight 351 power, a 5-speed gearbox, and smart upgrades that deliver on the original car's promise, this is the weapon of choice at your next open track session or Friday night stoplight race. This gorgeous Cobra is virtually brand new, having only traveled 2,877 miles since being built!

Superformance is known for their attention to detail, and there's no doubt that the bodies on their Cobras look right. The proportions, the curves, and the detailing all remain faithful to the original, flaws and all, and I think the cars are better for it. Finished in silver, this one doesn't smack you in the face but instead carries itself with dignity while it's screaming past. Fit and finish are excellent throughout, with great gaps that only come from a lot of handwork and choking on fiberglass dust. Black stripes with matching jacking stubs and side pipes add an industrial-strength look, while the reproduction taillights, flip-up gas filler cap, and fender vents offer authenticity. And while you'll find it impossible to resist taking it out and running it through its paces, I should also warn you that it's really darned nice and you'll want to be careful simply because it looks so good.

The interior breaks no new ground but is indeed quite nicely finished. Black leather buckets mimic the originals, although the upholstery around the door openings and the somewhat plush carpets are a nice step up. Authentic-looking Smiths gauges, including the counter-clockwise speedo, give it 1960s flair and all the secondary controls are managed by toggle switches, as original. The leather-wrapped wheel looks like an original A/C piece, but the fatter rim is grippy and probably a better choice if your idea of fun is chasing hundredths of a second on the track. There is no radio, but it does include heat, just in case, as well as a black convertible top and side curtains for emergencies. Even the trunk is nicely upholstered in black carpets and shows that someone cared about making this one stand out from the rest.

For power, a Ford Racing 351 cubic inch V8 provides more than ample acceleration. The lighter small block makes handling razor-sharp, and with the featherweight body, acceleration is still brutal enough to scare anyone who hasn't trained for the Saturn V program. Wearing a Holley carb, a Cobra dress-up kit, and a chrome expansion tank, it looks suitably vintage, while details like the serpentine belt and 5-speed manual transmission are a bit of new technology that invisibly makes the whole experience better. Rack-and-pinion steering, 4-wheel disc brakes, and a fully independent rear end make it an impressive performer on the street and the track. It's quite nicely finished in basic black underneath, but the hardware is first-rate throughout. As a final touch, reproduction Halibrand knock-offs wear correctly-sized 225/60/15 front and 275/60/15 rear Yokohama performance radials, so it sits right and looks authentic.

Accurate yet still wickedly fast, this Superformance Cobra is perhaps the ideal combination of Cobra mystique and race-proven performance. Call today!