1965 Shelby Cobra Replica

Description

For sheer thrills on the road, nothing beats a Cobra. Built to look traditional, this Factory Five replica delivers big V8 thrills with razor-sharp handling, all wrapped in a package that looks like it could have rolled out of the Shelby American shop forty-five years ago.

Factory Five's fiberglass is some of the best in the industry, and it's worth noting that this car is built from 100% new components, save for the engine and transmission, which are fully rebuilt. However, even the best fiberglass needs expert prep, so this one received hours and hours of sanding and smoothing before the Patriot Blue paint was applied. And for extra authenticity, a set of Acrtic White stripes were added in the correct proportions, giving this roadster the look of having come right off the grid. Fit and finish are far above average, and it's obvious that this was not done in someone's home garage, but by professionals who really knew what they were doing. The doors fit well, the hood sits flush, it feels rock solid going down the road, and as you can see, the paint is beyond beautiful. Even details like the Shelby logos are authentic. And with only 500 miles on the clock, it's new in every possible way, driven just enough to make sure everything works like it should.

Where so many Cobra replicas go wrong is by trying to modernize the interior. This one, on the other hand, has a highly correct driver's compartment, complete with low-back buckets just like the originals. There's a forward-canted shift lever, which now controls five gears instead of four, and a proper wooden steering wheel that really warms up the interior, and it was fully lined in Dynamat before the interior went in to help control heat. Crisp white-on-black instruments do a good impersonation of the original Smiths gauges, and it includes an analog clock which is a nice addition. Other details include a row of toggle switches for auxiliary systems, an AM/FM/iPod stereo, and blue courtesy lights under the dash. Five-point Simpson belts were installed for safety, as well as a fire extinguisher, so you don't have to be afraid to use this car at the limit.

There's a lot to be said for putting a small block in your Cobra, and the benefits it pays to handling and braking can't be over-stated. This one uses a built 351 cubic inch Windsor from a Lightning pickup and fully dressed in Cobra regalia to look authentic. You can build big power in these engines today, and more cubic inches isn't always an advantage. Instead, combined with the 5-speed transmission, this one is a potent street machine that can cruise effortlessly. With Procomp aluminum heads, a steel crank, and a Holley carb atop an Edelbrock intake, it certainly snarls like a real Cobra and has been dressed with 427-style valve covers and an aluminum air box up top. Koni coil-overs, A-arms and rack-and-pinion steering handle the front end, with the rear supported by a traditional 4-link, so handling is friendly. Four-wheel discs are important considering the car's performance, and Halibrand knock-off alloys are just the right size, wearing fat 15-inch Goodyears that fill the wheel wells properly.

This is a fully-sorted, fresh, and insanely fast Cobra replica for less than the cost of building your own. Call today!