1965 Shelby Cobra Replica

Description

We know that Cobra replica quality can be all over the map, but we invite you to examine this 1965 Shelby Cobra Replica from Lone Star Classics (now called Ultimate Classic Cars) up close and personal, because it's one of the finest we've ever featured. Better still, it's a former showcar wrecking machine with killer features, including a dropdead gorgeous White paint job that really stands out from the crowd, a 347 Blueprint Stroker under the hood, a quick-shifting 5-speed gearbox, and a gorgeous bespoke interior. Sure, it's a replica (the real ones are all locked away in museums these days), but it's one of the better replicas money can buy.

White is a bit of an unusual shade for a Cobra, albeit a refreshing one in a sea of Guardsman Blue and Bright Red recreations that litter the marketplace. The bright color gives the classic Cobra styling a bit more edge, not to mention a more modern street presence, and when off-set with Guardsman Blue stripes and blacked-out trim in place of all the usual brightwork, well, 'sinister' is a word that's easily conjured up. In truth, it's always nice to see non-traditional but period-correct colors on the replicas, suggesting that the original owner who had it built knew exactly what he was doing rather than just going with what he thought was pretty. If you know the Lone Star/Ultimate cars, you know that their workmanship is incredibly well-regarded in the Cobra industry and the fit and finish on this particular car is worthy of all the extra scrutiny it's likely to get at shows. Before it was sold to its first public owner, this Cobra was the manufacturers show-pony – the unit they showcased and advertised to get customers to buy their other cars and services – so you know it's the best-of-the-best. Blue stripes running from end-to-end are, of course, part of the package, as is the hood scoop that sucks air into the burly motor, and the fender vents that do the same for the brakes. It's set up as an SC, so it has the flared fenders, blacked-out jacking stubs instead of bumpers, a blacked-out roll hoop, and all the other trim and fixtures that define the Cobra today were also blacked-out. And with slick black alloys and matte-black side pipes matching all the accessories, this sucker looks mean!

The interior is basic Cobra: wrap-around low back buckets, center console, and minimal frills. However, for the business of driving, there are few better places to work, and unlike most Cobra cabins, this one uses high-end materials and looks far more refined. That includes bucket seats that are supremely comfortable thanks to luxurious leather-and-suede hides punctuated with diamond-cut inserts, a custom center console stitched to match, and a black leather dash filled with an array of sporty VDO gauges and switches. A Momo steering wheel at the head of the cockpit communicates the front wheels' activities directly to you palms and the Hurst shifter managing the 5-speed gearbox is a short reach away and practically taunts the driver to bang through the gears. Carpets cover the floors and provide excellent insulation, RJS Racing harnesses keeps both the driver and passenger in place, and even the door panels were finished with matching upholstery and come equipped with deep map pockets. Unlike most replicas, this one actually comes equipped with a booming stereo system managed via a JVC multi-media touchscreen that's also loaded up with a rear camera, and the module for the Holley Sniper EFI system is mounted front and center for all your fuel/air ratio adjustments. Out back, the trunk is reasonably spacious for a travel bag and car show trophies, meaning this Cobra can actually be driven longer distances, and should you ever be bold enough to take this beauty out in the elements (or rather stupid enough, although we're not here to pass judgment) it's offered with a sporty custom one-off bikini top.

Tilt the hood forward and you'll find a 347 Stroker V8 Blueprint crate engine, neatly packaged inside the detailed engine bay. Fed through a modern Holley Sniper electronic fuel-injection system mounted atop an Edelbrock aluminum intake, the small block has way more power than you'll ever need, especially in this incredibly lightweight package. The engine bay is a thing of beauty, highlighted by blue Ford Racing valve covers and a matching air cleaner atop the block, block-hugging headers at the flanks, a giant aluminum radiator, and an HEI ignition system that instantly cranks it all to life. It cackles through the heat-wrapped side pipes like a machine bent on violence and as you ease out the clutch in first gear, you'll understand why these cars remain so insanely popular year-after-year: the performance is explosive! That 5-speed gearbox is an absolute delight to cycle through and spins a heavy-duty 9-inch rear end that can easily handle all this Cobra's power. The suspension includes tubular control arms and rack-and-pinion steering up front, a 4-link out back, coilovers all-around, and power 4-wheel disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors all powerful enough to dislodge the fillings in your teeth. Blacked-out American Racing wheels are an absolutely perfect match to the look, and they're wrapped in staggered 275/40/17 front and 315/35/17 Nitto performance rubber with plenty of grip.

Titled as a 2016 ASVE, this beautifully built, insanely fast, and supremely competent in the corners Cobra is the one we all wish for when we entertain the thoughts of building our own. And with only 5052 miles on the build, this baby is just getting started. Call today!