Fast as a Cobra
The name Carroll Shelby is irrevocably tied to motor sports. Not least to the 24 hour race Le Mans, which he won in 1959 in an Aston Martin DBR1. A few years later he cemented his importance for motor racing when he in close collaboration with Ford optimized Ford Mustang – to the degree that Le Mans ‘66 became the final success for Ford when three Mustangs crossed the finish line (more or less) simultaneously. Until then Ferrari had been fastest and leading the way.
But already in 1961 Shelby was working intensely on creating a small and agile sports wagon. Small and easily maneuvered. But with an acceleration and a top speed which would make it a winner on the racetrack.
The small open sports wagon got the name Cobra. With a rear axle from a Jaguar E-Type and an engine compartment compatible with more or less all of Ford’s engines, he did not only create a legendary sports car. It was also cheap to operate and repair.
The Cobra was fast – and became a massive success. Despite that, in the years following the 1965 premiere, only 348 delicate little cars with the powerful V8-engine were produced.
That means that the original cars often sell for millions at auctions. But the dream can come true, if you can stand living with a replica model from Backdraft Cobra Racing in Florida. Here, for the cost of approximately $100,000, you can get a faithful copy of the 1965 edition of Shelby’s Cobra. In return you can choose freely when it comes to engine size, suspensions, brake calipers, interior, and all sorts of possible and impossible instruments. If you can pay the extra fee, of course. A Cobra replica fitted with all the extras is easily approaching $200,000.