1965 Shelby Cobra Replica

Description

Cobra replicas are perhaps the most performance per dollar you can get anywhere, and this nicely built roadster has a subtle look and serious blasting powder under the hood, just as you'd expect. It's also nicely finished and ready to enjoy, all at a bargain price, making for a real win-win equation.

The bodywork takes a few liberties with the original Cobra's specs, all in the name of comfort. With a few more inches in the wheelbase than a stocker, it's far easier to get comfortable inside. But the changes are not immediately apparent unless there's a stock Cobra nearby, and honestly, at this point does it even matter? The handsome Indigo Blue paint and Wimbledon White stripes lend it a very period-appropriate look that makes this icon even more, well, iconic. Finish quality is very good and you can see the extra time that went into prepping the surface for that shiny blue paint. It's got some time and mileage on the build, but it's holding up rather well thanks to good quality 'glass work and proper prep. We like the chrome nerf bars fore and aft, which really do offer some protection, as well as the Lucas-style taillights and flip-up gas cap that add authenticity. Oh, and the chrome side pipes don't hurt, either.

It's traditional inside, too. Low-back buckets covered in black look authentic and have a bit of wear that actually enhances the authentic look rather than detracting. Door panels are simple and there are black carpets on the floor which help control noise and heat. A leather-rimmed steering wheel re-creates the Cobra look and feels a little fatter than a stocker, while the dash offers a full array of instruments that have a very old-school look. All the switchgear is easy to find and use and there's a big chrome knob on the B&M shifter (yes, that's right, this snake has an automatic gearbox). There's no radio, but it's kind of academic in a Cobra, mostly because the side pipes are really all the aural entertainment you need. The trunk is surprisingly spacious and includes and a rear-mounted battery for improved weight distribution.

Horsepower is a non-issue thanks to a built 428 cubic inch V8. Fortified with dual quads and situated in the lightweight Cobra, performance is impressive and the sound is even better. Dressed up with some chrome details, the engine bay is purposeful and functional, with good service access, and you can tell they focused on getting the important stuff right. The valve covers, air cleaner, and expansion tank for the cooling system all recall the original and a set of red plug wires add a bit of contrast. Long-tube headers manage the exhaust and it's got an awesome idle thanks to a lumpy cam inside. A full A-arm front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering make it corner like it's on rails, while a trick independent rear end looks very much like the Jaguar IRS that was so popular years ago. There's a disc brake at all four corners and the wheels are nice aluminum Pro-Stars that look right on a vintage snake. The tires are right-sized 225/70/15 front and 295/50/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials so the car hunkers down and looks right.

There are a lot of Cobra replicas out there, but not many combine this much quality and high-end hardware with such an affordable price tag. Call today!