For Sale: 1965 Shelby Cobra in Lutz, Florida

What could be cooler than the world's best-looking 2-seat roadster, filled with a powerful 302 V8, a quick-shifting 5-speed gearbox, an incredibly sporty suspension, and wicked paint job that makes people stop and stare? If you're a real car guy or gal, you've probably already contemplated building your own Cobra replica at some point in your life, but the smart money's on buying someone else's finished car like this amazing Factory Five roadster.

Cobras always look best with bold colors and stripes and with the explosion of awesome replicas running around, this one stands out in a big way. Rather than the usual blue or red kit cars at every cars show, this particular Cobra goes about its business in a much more sinister, cloak-and-dagger kind of way. Pepper Gray never looked so good, with a hint of metallic and professional-grade finishing, the body fits together extremely well (the Factory Five kits are famous for their quality fiberglass work), and this crouching roadster really looks substantial in person. It isn't perfect, but the paint lays down over some expertly massaged panels and you can't deny the awesomeness of that shape, especially the flared fenders and bulging muscles of the '65 models. There are black stripes, a nice contrast to the usual white, giving this Factory Five snake a bit of an updated look without changing the recipe too dramatically, although the Grand Sport-style stripes on the fenders are a great addition. Proper jacking stubs, bright side pipes, and correct Lucas-style taillights add interest to a traditional look, and that blacked-out roll hoop is probably the best-looking safety device ever invented.

The interior sticks to the original recipe, too, which means no modern buckets, no fat steering wheel and plenty of black upholstery. There's an original-style wooden steering wheel which reminds you of the Cobra's English origins and they went the extra mile by using Auto Meter gauges that replicate the original Smiths pieces, right down to the reverse-rotation speedometer. You can forget a radio or heater (this is a Cobra, not your mom's car) and they even managed to make the shifter look like the original Cobra piece, which was a reverse-mounted Mustang unit. Cobras aren't famous for storage space, but this one has an unfinished aluminum trunk that shows off just how well-built these Factory Five replicas really are. And don't worry, there is no top (who cares?).

The beauty of the Factory Five kit is that all the Ford small blocks bolt right on, and the powerful 302 V8 powering this lightweight beauty is the perfect choice. Topped with a big Holley 4-barrel carburetor mounted atop a Weiand aluminum intake, the motor has insane pop, firing to life with ease thanks to an HEI ignition and staying cool at all times with the help of the big aluminum radiator and electric fan up front. Take it easy on the throttle and it's docile and friendly. But if you nail it, be prepared for things to get crazy in a big hurry even in stock spec. The side pipes absolutely wail, the car lunges forward, and you've got to remember to shift before you run out of revs in about 1.2 seconds. Everything looks the part under the hood as well, with Ford Blue paint on the block, finned Cobra valve covers at the flanks, and a chrome open-element air cleaner up top. Underneath everything is super-clean as well, where the tubular frame is a fair facsimile of the original, the suspension features coilovers, tubular A-arms, and rack-and-pinion steering up front, a Ford 8.8-inch axle and more coilovers out back, and a disc brake at each corner, so it's equipped for the power. The 5-speed gearbox spins a set of reasonable gears, because you just don't need tall cogs with this much torque available, and the stance is perfected atop those black-and-chrome, Halibrand-style alloys with center spinners that come wrapped in sticky 255/40/17 front and 315/35/17 rear Sumitomo staggered radials.

We've said it before and it applies here: it's always faster and cheaper to buy a finished Cobra, and with the features on this one, that should be an easy decision. Call today!