1965 Shelby Cobra Shell Valley

Description

Buyer be very aware; this 1966 Shelby Cobra Shell Valley replica is for the guy or gal who wants to hog all the attention and steal everyone's significant other. Notice the eyeball-searing Orange Pearl paint, the slick white-stripe kit, and those super-shiny chrome accents – all of which blend together into one of the most exciting Cobra presentations we've ever featured. This Cobra Replica wasn't built for people that like to keep a low profile, and it's not just the killer good looks that make this build so special. Inside, the interior feels far more opulent than what you'd typically find in a high-end replica, and the cackling 351 V8/5-speed gearbox drivetrain means this beauty to be driven hard and FAST, not just ogled from afar.

It's a Shell Valley Cobra, which is not only a Cobra Replica kit that's synonymous with extremely high-quality builds, but also one that's a great choice for those of us that are a bit more on the taller/bigger side – with a few extra inches of legroom/rear-space tucked in where nobody will notice. The fiberglass is thick and extremely durable, a big reason why the Shell Valley name is so popular, and it's obvious this Orange Pearl beauty was put together by a group of professionals that really knew what they were doing. That means excellent panel fitment, great gaps, and laser-straight body alignment all dressed up in that outrageous, high-end finish. It's a top-end PPG paint, and as you may have already guessed by the name (and our pics) they added a whole lot of pearl into the mixture, which really makes the car glow and dance under out photo booth lights. Heck, on this car, they'll be so agog at the wicked paint that they won't care if it's a real Cobra or not! Built only 1398 miles ago, it's been babied since it was finished, and despite out best efforts we couldn't find much to complain about in the presentation – short of maybe a couple light scratches left over from past car washes, most of which could easily be remedied with a buff-and-wax. The top-end driver-grade (if not borderline show-quality) bright paint glows like it's radioactive and the white stripes emulate the original Cobra look, while also breaking up the main color with the perfect amount of contrast. If you're a fan of UT, Creamsicles, or early Tampa Bay Bucs jerseys, then you can easily attribute the color combination to that fandom. If not, you're still going to have the most exciting Cobra Replica at car shows – we can all but guarantee it. There's lots of sparkling chrome as well, from the 'bumper jacks' fore and aft, the bright trim around all the lighting and glass, the dual chrome roll bars behind the seats, and the miscellaneous hardware (mirrors, wipers, gas cap) that's been polished up to a near-blinding state. And with those flashy side pipes looking deliciously aggressive at the flanks, the curb appeal is absolutely through the roof.

The interior is quite a bit more mature, equipped with tan bucket seats that feature simple vertical pleats, beautiful stitching, and contrasting Simpson 5-point harnesses to keep you in place. Matching upholstered door panels with map pockets and full carpets that line the floors and the inside walls of the tub mean this nasty snake is comfortable enough to use as a real car, not just some kind of toy. VDO supplied all the gauges and most of the switch gear is comprised of those cool flip-up aviation-style toggle switches that always seem to imply something critical is about to happen. The dash was painted to match the exterior, right down to the white stripes that continue on inside, and the glovebox door is adorned in a lovely woodgrain that almost looks like a high-end pair of turtle-shell sunglasses. No radio or A/C, of course, but you do get that sporty, wood-rimmed steering wheel and a proper 8-ball topped chrome shifter that manages the 5-speed gearbox to your right, as well as a matching hand brake, in case of emergencies or if you really want to get squirrely. The trunk is neatly finished and surprisingly spacious, yet it too previews the car's racing pedigree with the exposed top of the car's aluminum fuel cell and a relocated gel-cell battery.

Don't worry, this Cobra has the horsepower to back up its outrageous look. It takes the form of a built 351 V8 dressed in Shelby Cobra valve covers at the flanks and an oval air cleaner up top. Augmented with SVO aluminum heads, a big Holley 4-barrel carburetor, an Edelbrock aluminum intake, and HEI ignition, it's an incredibly strong runner that fires up with ease, idles with a delicious cackle, and pulls power up-and-down the throttle with wonderful aplomb. It's not overly exotic, but boy does it get the job done! Big power is available anywhere on the tach and the hit of torque this nasty small block delivers will quickly become addictive to anyone with a heartbeat. There's a big aluminum radiator up front and an electric fan to keep the air moving through it, so the Cobra keeps an even temperature all the time and you know those ceramic-coated long-tube headers feed into side pipes that sound spectacular. The T5 5-speed slices through the gears like a razor and there's a bulletproof Ford 9-inch rear hanging out back. The front suspension features tubular A-arms and coil-overs while the rear is an abbreviated 4-link with coilovers as well, and there's a disc brake at each corner that provides phenomenal stopping power. Halibrand-style wheels are the perfect endcap for any Cobra, but they look particularly slick on this orange beauty wrapped in staggered 245/45/17 front and 315/35/17 meats.

Outrageous looks with the power to back it up, this Cobra delivers in a very big way on every front. Call today! This one is titled as a 2007 Ford Replica. Please check your state titling regulations before purchase.