Vehicle Description
Carroll Shelby was notoriously picky when it came to his prized
creation. He said on many occasions that he created the Cobra to be
driven and, until the model's rarity made it worth a literal
fortune, he wasn't above noting his disapproval when he saw one
being trailered as opposed to being driven. Cobra Replicas embody
that very spirit, affording all us 'regular folk' the opportunity
to experience the Shelby experience. Not all Cobra reproductions
are created equal, and it's pretty significant that cars like this
1967 Shelby Cobra by Unique Motorcars are typically the most
sought-after in the replica arena. With a 427 Top Oiler big-block
stroked to 482 cubes, a Holley Sniper EFI system feeding it, a
Tremec 5-speed handling the gears, and a custom performance
suspension and chassis keeping it planted to the road, it's an
incredibly special machine.
Initially built in 1992, this is one of the only instances where a
Cobra Replica has been around for so long that it actually gets
restored. We first sold this car out of our Atlanta showroom way
back in 2016, and after a couple years of enjoyment that buyer
decided it was ready for an upgrade, so he embarked on a frame-off
restoration in 2018, approximately 1005 miles ago. It got a new
paint job, new interior, a rebuilt and upgraded drivetrain, and
even a new frame and suspension. That tells us that this Cobra
Replica is so special, that rather than just commission a brand-new
kit to be built (which arguably might've been cheaper), the former
owners wanted to keep it alive with a fresh refurbishment. The
Cobra's timeless, low-centered form is instantly recognizable to
any car enthusiast, but when you get a little closer to this one,
you'll see it's no run of the mill kit car. The fit and finish on
display here is very impressive - the body is well-aligned, with
nice even gaps surrounding the doors and hood, and the flowing
front and rear fenders are uniform and perfectly-sculpted. This '67
looks great in its Guardsman Blue paint - it's a great fit for this
head turner and in very good, strong driver-quality form with a
slick, deep shine. Those aren't stick-on decals either - the pair
of signature white metallic stripes running over the hood and deck
lid are painted on and show very clean edges and are buried
underneath clearcoat. From the front bumper on back, all exterior
fittings are also looking great, as are the side pipes, which have
an ultra-clean appearance to suggest this coveted ride has been
kept away from any potentially corrosive territory. A removeable
soft top and cabin tonneau cover are also provided with the sale,
so weather isn't going to stop you from getting behind the
wheel.
Shelby reproductions are a sort of automotive blank slate and in
many cases their interiors are often given minimal attention, but
the one on display here suffers from no such shortcoming. Climb in
and you'll be lowering yourself into a comfortable, sculpted
leather bucket seat sporting a four-point racing harness that
provides further evidence of this Cobra's prowess on the asphalt.
The forward incline of the 5-speed manual shifter puts it within
easy reach and as you peer beyond the woodgrain steering wheel (a
Shelby staple), you'll find a thorough assortment of black-faced
AutoMeter gauges and control knobs on the dash. Below, the black
carpeting is still nice and fresh and insulates the cabin from the
outside world, and a set of custom AC inscribed pedals are a great
added touch. The trunk area is also finished-off nice and clean and
you'll notice that there'll be no need to find a makeshift prop to
keep the decklid open - the included strut is working just
fine.
Despite its timeless, ultra-magnetic looks, the Cobra, as Shelby
himself noted, was meant to be driven and this is a great
performance-centric ride that's clicking on all proverbial
cylinders - as far as power, handling and braking ability are
concerned. The 427 Top Oiler High-Performance V8 residing in the
engine compartment has been bored and stroked to a whopping 482
cubes, features 10.1:1 compression, runs on 93 Octane, and was
rated at 470HP before it was ever even stroked. It's topped with a
Holley Sniper EFI system, an Edelbrock aluminum intake, a full MSG
ignition system and distributor, and breathes through block-hugging
headers that feed into those cackling side pipes at the flanks. The
big block packs quite a punch and is fittingly paired with a Tremec
5-speed manual transmission - one of the few that can be trusted to
handle the engine's output, and the Jaguar rear end out back is
more than capable of handling all that power as well. Dual electric
fans team with a sizable aluminum radiator to keep operating
temperatures in check, rack-and-pinion steering helps eat up the
corners, while Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes bring dependable,
low-effort stops. Everything is new underneath, from the glossy
black frame, the tubular A-arms up front, the 4-link in the rear,
and the coilovers all-around. This Shelby scorches the pavement on
a slick set of 15" Compomotive Motorsport rims wrapped in staggered
235/60/15 front and 295/50/15 rear Cooper Cobra radials with plenty
of grip.
Beautifully restored and in excellent mechanical and aesthetic
condition, this 1967 Unique Shelby Cobra is an outstanding
representative of the legendary model. Call today!
