Vehicle Description
We see a lot of Cobra replicas and the bottom line is always the
same: why waste time building one when you can own this one right
now? With a strong-running 351, five gears in the transmission, and
that traditional Cobra paint scheme, there's a lot to like here,
and the build quality really sets this one apart.
The kit is from Classic Roadsters LTD, who have been building
Cobras almost as long as Carroll Shelby himself. They might have
altered the proportions a bit, but there's no mistaking this slick
snake and the longer cockpit makes for a far more user-friendly
machine. Finish quality is spectacular, with countless hours
invested in the build and expert attention to detail on the
bodywork in particular. Colonial White stripes on a Guardsman Blue
body offer a retro touch that Ford fans will love, and the paint
was done about five years ago, so it looks awesome. You'll never
get tired of the view over the curvaceous hood and the stereo sound
of those shiny side pipes that add to the industrial look. The
meatball on the nose adds a bit of a racing look, and it includes a
grille guard up front that's just a good idea, especially with an
oil cooler hanging underneath, right where it belongs. It only
shows about 1014 miles since it was freshened, so everything
remains in excellent condition, and it's quite obvious that someone
loved this one enough to go the extra mile.
The low-back buckets look very much like those in an original Cobra
and form the foundation of a very driver-oriented interior. They're
brand new and couldn't have been cheap, but they add a great deal
to the interior, which captures the feel of the original. A full
array of Shelby gauges are stacked in the flat-faced dash, adding
some authenticity, particularly with the reverse-rotation
tachometer there in the center. A Motolita wood steering wheel
transmits everything the front wheels are doing directly to your
cerebellum and there's a matching wooden knob on the 5-speed
shifter. There's an AM/FM/CD stereo, which I suppose is nice, but
you'll probably be too busy blipping the throttle to enjoy the
stereo sounds coming out of the side pipes. Carpets and wind wings
help add to the civilized feel, so you can cruise long distances
without feeling like you spent 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. There's
also a fully carpeted trunk that includes a battery box with an
Optima gel cell inside.
A carbureted 351 cubic inch Windsor V8 with Cleveland heads
provides plenty of power and light weight, so the car dances around
corners without the nose-heavy feeling of a big block. Fully
dressed in Ford Racing regalia, it looks great in the engine bay
and offers many OEM parts so service is easy and reliability is
excellent. There's a big Holley up top, an MSD ignition system, and
both power steering and power 4-wheel disc brakes. It's backed by a
Doug Nash Richmond 5-speed manual gearbox which offers an overdrive
gear for relaxed cruising, although relaxing isn't what a Cobra is
about. A Mustang donated its 8.8-inch rear end and with Koni coil
overs, handling is predictable and secure, and it rides well enough
to be driven every day. The chassis is neatly detailed and built
for combat, and those 15-inch Team III Cobra-style wheels are
always the right choice, especially with fat 245/60/15 front and
295/50/16 rear BFG radials.
Distinctive, fast fun, this Cobra couldn't be duplicated for the
asking price, and you definitely couldn't have it done by this
weekend. Call us today and enjoy your new Cobra immediately!
