1965 Shelby Cobra

Description

The state-of-the-art in Cobra replicas has evolved to the point where the cars are things unto themselves. No longer saddled with trying to re-create a 1965 driving experience, cars like this Factory 5 Cobra roadster can now be modern-day supercars, street-legal weapons that have a vintage Cobra look but all the performance that modern technology can deliver.

You already know that Factory 5 is putting out some of the best Cobras in the business and building one from scratch isn't a bad idea. But if you're the impatient type or a guy who doesn't feel like investing a small fortune in a custom build, then this car is right up your alley. It's beautifully finished and carries all the hardware that you'd use yourself, all wrapped in a professionally finished body that stops traffic wherever it goes. They spent a ton of time (AKA a big pile of cash) to get the fiberglass straight and then laid down a few coats of Torch Red paint that really makes this Cobra pop. On top of that, it got a set of black stripes that accurately replicate the original look, because a Cobra without stripes just isn't right. Details like the Lucas-style taillights, twin roll hoops, and jacking stubs out back suggest that it was built for combat, and the hardware underneath backs up this assumption. But from the look of the car as it sits today, we'd be shocked if it ever turned a wheel in anger. It's simply gorgeous!

The interior definitely gets the Shelby thing right, with wrap-around buckets that look suitably vintage and a stubby shifter that's canted forward just right. So you'll get the Cobra experience from behind the wheel. But the gauges are big, handsome Auto Meter dials that watch all the vitals, including oil temperature, which is critical if you're using your Cobra on the track. Toggle switches, a fat leather-wrapped wheel, and leather check straps on the doors further blend the old and new. There's no radio, no heater, no A/C, but why would you want those in your Cobra anyway? Is it for your wife or something? No, this car is all about going fast and doing it with style, and in that regard it's a massive success. There are carpets to help control noise and heat and yes, the trunk is neatly upholstered using the same stuff.

Big blocks get all the attention, but in a Cobra actually built to drive, a sweet-running 5.0 is really what you want. Less weight up front means razor-sharp handling and the 5.0's penchant for making torque is undiminished in this Cobra replica. There's a big 4-barrel carburetor up top, so it makes a wonderful intake moan at full tilt and the dress-up kit lends a bit of authenticity to the look. A big aluminum radiator keeps it cool, there's a reliable serpentine belt drive setup for the accessories, and satin black side pipes provide the same awesome soundtrack Cobra fans have enjoyed for 50 years (chrome side pipes are included with the car, but do you really need them?). A 5-speed manual gearbox provides an overdrive gear for somewhat relaxed high-speed cruising and there's a Mustang-spec 8.8-inch rear end out back. The suspension is full of upgraded components like tubular A-arms and coil-over shocks, so this isn't some cut-rate build, and massive disc brakes from a Mustang Cobra provide shockingly strong braking. Black Torque Thrust-style wheels are the perfect touch and they're wrapped in 275/40/17 front and 315/35/17 rear performance radials.

So forget building your own, this one is available right now. Get in, turn the key, and be competitive at almost any level, show or track. That's what this Cobra does best. Call now!