Vehicle 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!
