Shelby

Cobra

Usual

1964 Shelby FIA 289 AC Cobra Replica



FIRST OFF: A very important fact for this FIA rep Cobra and its value. Only about 10/12 out of 100 replica Cobras built and offered for sale today are of the smaller and more original 289 FIA or slab-side 260/289 Shelby AC Cobra's design. Making the 289 and FIA Cobras almost rare and exclusive as far as replica Shelby Cobras go. As the majority of replica Cobras that are FOR SALE are of the massive 427-body design and with multitudes of different engine configurations. And interestingly most of which are NOT the big block 427 motors. The smaller 289 body with its classic smaller and more fittingly (than the 427 AC Cobra) snout and the FIA modified body or racing version were the Shelby Cobras that earned their chops and/or made the REAL history for the Shelby Cobra. The smaller 289 Cobra and FIA model gave the Cobra as a sports car or race car its real reputation, its Shelby-Famous historic and iconic place in automotive history. The 289/FIA bodied Cobras also made Carroll Shelby famous enough for him to go on and help create the 427 Cobra but also helped him create two of the (other) most important and utterly famous automobiles in automotive history: the 1965/66 GT350 Mustang and the GT40, both as race cars and street cars. So, that said this replica FIA Cobra offered here is NOT one of the fire-breathing, insanely powered 427 Cobra replicas (that seem to dominate the market for them) but it is as you can see it's for a more discriminating group of Shelby Cobra enthusiasts. This one is the small block, smaller body of the original 289 and FIA Comp Cobra version. Tony's pics are really good, but this Cobra couldn't be captured in a mere picture. In real life this Cobra, for its color, wheels/tires, its stance, its beautiful look is beyond all words and pictures to fully describe. It is a perfect combination of efforts and components to truly compliment the man, Carrol Hall Shelby. The guy who gave us one of the most unique automobiles ever conceived for mankind. The Shelby Cobra just sitting still is an exciting animated and above all, captivating piece of art. And then just being takin-in by its overall appearance (when you come face to face with one) you just know why their reputation(s) are real, are worthy. The Shelby AC Cobra is truly the magical bad ass "object de art" to say the very least. If you have ever owned one, you know exactly what I'm talking about here, in trying to say about Cobra ownership. Even dropping the line in a conversation with someone who asks am I a car guy? And you reply, "well I own a Cobra, a replica Cobra". Your immediately put into another-world category. There is a completely new life-experience in owning a Shelby Cobra, believe me. This should be my closing line for the sale of this Cobra, but as much as l like to write, I love the Shelby Cobra(s). Their timeless design and their amazing-concept advantage over any other sports car. The Shelby Cobra is in a class of automobile all by itself. 
 
 
I am positive this Shelby replicated example will instantly cement a bond into your heart, mind and soul of what the real and original Shelby AC Cobras must have represented and meant to the first generation of Cobra buyers in the first mile you log onto its ODO. And today, I believe the Shelby Cobra(s) reputation has put the Cobra cars (originals and even the replicas) into a position that is nearly impossible to describe the reactions of people that do not own one when they see one. If attention is not in your game plan, not in your agenda, DO NOT buy a Cobra. But if it IS, that plus-feature is also part of the fun of Cobra ownership. There is nothing quite like a two-hour sunny day road trip in your tuned-up, well sorted-out Cobra.
 
 
As the Shelby 260/289 Cobras became near overnight legend from the combination of their look, performance and their overall statement. The small block 260/289 Cobra sports cars actually became the true to life legend(s) in their own time. As there was no high-powered sporting car offered in the USA in the early 60's that appealed to the American hot-rodder, real car guys, individuals with (a bit of) European sports car interests like the Ford V/8 powered Cobras. The Shelby AC Cobra was more exotic in looks alone than even the General Motors Corvette. As it was a true European looking affair with an American V/8 motor. And it was an overnight success. And why it was a natural move for Shelby not long after the 289 Cobras introduction and its overwhelming racing and street car success to modify the concept even more with a big block 427 power train and upwards of 500 BHP. As there really are (4) four distinct Cobra designs: the slab side260/289, the 289 FIA Comp versions, the 427 and the famous Daytona Cobra. But I can't believe that Carroll Shelby's real love for his Cobra sports cars was not born and forever instilled in his heart through the real success of his small block 289 Cobras. Those enduring timeless street and racing machines WERE and ARE the Shelby Cobras that truly established the Cobra for its historic trademark, its famous position in the entire history of all automobiles. A few less than one thousand original Shelby Cobras were ever produced. But its image, performance and its actual statement helped to launch Ford Motor Company into a completely new level. No car has ever received more attention (then and currently) than the Shelby Cobra, as it simply changed the world as we knew it in 1962. There is no doubt in my mind without Shelby's Cobra there would never have been the Shelby GT350 and without the GT350, I believe the Ford Mustang would never have been as successful as it was and still is today. In concept alone Shelby's Cobra was simply light years ahead of everything-automobile and was far-beyond-mere inspiration for many-a-car-designer, bean-counter or Ford marketing/sales promotional executives. Carroll Shelby's Cobras genuine magic was the most credible influencing-tool of the century to say the very least for Ford Motor Company. And today in my opinion as a car guy, replicated forms of them are also going to reach much higher levels of values. From monetary to just historic recognition. As the world is moving closer to the electric automobile, certain muscle cars, exotic machinery and Cobras are becoming more and more collectable and in that, more valuable. And Carroll Shelby? Well, without that colorful, talented and inventive soul, where would we be now? I believe strongly that Carrol Shelby got picked for the role, for the job of giving the world: The 289/427 Cobra Automobile. As a Shelby Cobra super fan, my allegiance and love for the Cobra automobile and its concept is more centered on the original cars and probably because I'm 77 years old and was there when the Shelby AC Cobra came to light and made such an impact on the world stage. It was a high-powered sports car with the right amount of everything. Can it be fully described in words? I think not. The smaller 289/FIA Cobra verses the intimidating and dominating 427 Cobra? For me the real winner is the original modified 289 as in the FIA Comp model, like the one offered here. But that's me. As it seems a bit more civilized high-performance sports car that can be driven on the street/track vs the garish snarling 427 beast-mode model.
 
 
And don't get me wrong a Shelby Cobra of ANY flavor, any model is almost beyond all-words to fully describe their amazing personality and statement. This replica FIA Cobra was built and created to capture that special and most important version of Carroll Shelby's original snake. As those original Cobras were not the 500/600 plus HP Cobras that are NOW seemingly mainstream entrants of the Replica-Cobra-Phenomena. But the original 260/289Cobras design was really the main focal point of an automotive story that became such an automotive legend and further makes it impossible to calculate the Cobras real impact on the world-stage. And also, that it has become a car that factually has been the most successful replicated automobile in automotive history. Which brings this article, story and AD for this replica Cobra full circle.
 
 
I'm sure the Cobra offered here will also (on paper only as in this ad) only appeal to a limited number of Cobra enthusiasts. Why? Most today seem to want the 427 bodied Cobras and with Hyper-car horsepower. But in real life (as in this Cobra sitting before you) this replica FIA street-version Cobra is a stunner, and you will find that it (always) steals the attention of its onlookers as they clamor around it with questions of its authenticity. Even when it's nestled in with as many as three to five 427 Cobras that (have) shown up at the cruise-in, believe me. And let's face it, there are NO BAD Cobras, their all beautiful, breath-taking examples of an automobile. This one is the sports car enthusiasts dream, the gentleman or lady's Cobra. But make no mistake, it is no wimp Cobra needing additional HP. This Cobra seems to be the perfect combination of efforts to amplify the fact that it is very close to its creator's intended original plan: to produce more of his Cobras for the street as the Carroll Shelby businessman car builder/producer Hell bent on getting his concept built and in production. The only thing I would have done different in creating this Cobra is paint it Guardsman Blue and slap white meatballs on the doors, you know... for flavor. But when I mention that to its interested parties, I get, oh no... it's really perfect in the Silver and the blood red racing stripe. This rep Cobra comes under the heading of Must See to Appreciate. But I think you get the picture and some of you will even appreciate my story, my ad for this car. I'm already making plans to build another one and for sure it will be the FIA 289 bodied Cobra. My favorite Cobra with their (near-exotic) curvilinear shape body lines and the snout, pure Cobra, pure Shelby. 
 
 
The low-slung stance of this Cobra for its overall statement is well expressed from every angle. It was produced to be a real tribute, an authentically created Cobra for a full-on compliment to Carroll Shelby for his modified 289 street-version Cobras. 289 Cobras that were street-versions of his Cobra race cars. As many individuals in the day who bought Cobras from Ford Dealers brought their Cobras back to Shelby American for interesting body and performance modifications. Carroll Shelby happily appeased their requests. This replica Cobra was created to emulate one of those versions. Those high-performance modified 289 Shelby Cobra sports cars that ruled the streets of Southern California's Los Angeles basin throughout the 60's. Shelby's Cobra was a colossal hit from the start and basically was a simple straight forward automobile design. But its V/8 power-source changed the playing field, and its concept went toe to toe with the world's best sports cars and today, Shelby Cobra originals and even some replicas are one of the world's leading collector-cars. I'm banking on this Cobra to be one of those examples.
 
 
On the COBRA for its technical components and the build history. 
 
 
As a street-version model of one of Shelby's FIA racing Cobras THIS replica is powered and offered with a modern-day pro-built small block Ford 351 Windsor V/8 motor. Dressed and finished to look original Cobra authentic. Recently dyno-tuned and calculated to produce 335/350 BHP to its special flywheel, 327-foot pounds of torque, delivering 273 BHP to the ground. And for barley 2,000-pounds, a road and track rocket, open top roadster, this well-balanced Cobra is still a challenging handful for most drivers. It was built and constructed with all the proper high quality valve train weapons. This powerhouse sounds solid, excellent and pulls like a freight train. Its engine build starting with roller-rockers, high-lift roller-cam, special Keith Black pistons, HD Comp-rods, HD bearings, re-worked crankshaft, special Aluminum heads, proper Cobra Aluminum intake manifold and the classic Holley 650-cfm 4bbl carburation, old-school authentic of course. An important feature: its Comp camshaft delivers a perfect snotty lope at idle that gives this Shelby snake just the right acoustics to make its signature statement even more impressive as a powerful and potent street serpent known as the Shelby Cobra. This pristine example has a real presence and the right amount of power to actually replicate Carroll Shelby's modified small block 289 Cobras. The downturned (air-gulping) Cobra snout and the smaller body of the 289 Cobra amps its sleek exterior and compliments the Cobras FIA muscular physique'. And yes, one could add a bigger carb and different intake manifold, make a few changes here and there and get more HP from its engine, but this rep-Cobra is close to Shelbys original modified-street-version small block wonder. More importantly it is a blast to drive and with an intentional power-to-weight ratio of Shelbys original 289 snakes it's as perfect as one can get to the 289 Shelby Cobra. 
 
 
This replica Cobras high performance motor is controlled by MSD electrics and fed by (premium-octane required) electronically controlled fuel pumps and is mated to a Tremec TKO 5 speed transmission, w/Hurst short-throw shifter, a Ram hydraulic clutch assembly, Jaguar IRS rear-end housing w/Dana 44 gears, all 4 wheels are equipped with Wilwood 3 pot disc brakes and big finned rotors that also incorporate Jaguars inboard rear brakes. And are fully adjustable for firmer/softer settings and to raise and lower the car are Gas-shock coil overs on all 4 corners w/duals in the rear. Flaming-River quick-steer rack/pinion, special powder-coated Pertronix exhaust headers and a special Jeff Hamm under-body tuned exhaust system. Trigo replica Halibrand 6 pin cast Aluminum knock-off wheels wrapped in huge sticky 295 and 265 15'' Dunlop SP Sport GT tires. Period correct Stewart Warner instrumentation, Raydot mirror, Simson racing lap belts, (drivers side only) adjustable Cobra seating. The cockpit is finished with Black carpeting and the Shelby Cobra FIA (padded) roll bar. The trunk area is finished and replicated as per FIA racing Cobras, (but also the car comes with a carpeting-kit for this area) should you ever chose to change this feature. This replica Cobra comes with all the proper paperwork for its original construction-build, all of its components, the new-build-restoration receipts and its manufactures certificate of origin. I bought the car a few years back to finish and restore (as it sat in a garage/barn for 12/13 years hardly driven) and it needed real attention. Many of its components ARE brand new. This Unique Motor Cars FIA body/chassis replica Cobra delivers the right horsepower, the right sound and the right look for a great impression of Carroll Shelby's original small block FIA Cobra. 
 
 
This 1964 Shelby Cobra has (only) 2,000 miles registered on its odometer, its state-of-the-art built, well-sorted out, properly set-up and finished to absolute perfection. Its striking deep bright silver paint surface complements its near blood-red maroon/wine colored racing stripe. This Cobra definitely harbors on the word magical. But we all know that even these replica Cobras must share some of Carroll Shelby's original Cobra DNA. And really why ALL Shelby Cobras, originals and even good replicas are so unique, amazingly beautiful and absolutely captivating. I'm quite positive if Carroll Shelby was still here that he would happily endorse this replica Cobra with his blessing, with his signature. More importantly, welcome an old friendship connected to this compliment Cobra. Back in the 70's I built a limited series of turbocharged European Ford Capri cars. As most know the Ford Capri was sold in the USA from Lincoln Mercury dealers. The special edition ROKSTOCK RSR turbo Capri II as it was called was often compared to Carroll Shelby's 1966 street-version GT350 Mustang by several automotive engineering editors of the day. As the ROKSTOCK RSR turbo Capri II's amazing performance and its handling achievements (were close enough to Shelby's GT350) the RSR turbo Capri earned and received much attention from the automotive press in the 1970's. And as a nice result, I met Carroll Shelby once in person and by phone was privileged to have had several conversations with him regarding the two cars back in the day (Google ROKSTOCK Capri if you're interested). As you can tell, I have a great admiration for Carroll Shelby. He has to be one of the most important automotive individuals in automotive history. Shelby's Cobra changed the world in 1962 for the automobile enthusiast(s) and his amazing Cobra set the stage for others to follow. I strongly believe there is NO car quite like the Shelby Cobra. Carroll Hall Shelby and his iconic Cobra did far more for the automotive world than could ever be calculated. And then again, no automobile has ever been more complimented, copied and replicated than Carroll Shelby's Cobra. I'm sure that he was happy leaving this world with knowing that feat, that incredible accomplishment in mind. And for all of us Bona-fide Shelby Cobra followers: Carroll Shelby will live forever. 
 
 
BOTTOM LINE: I'm positive this is a replica Cobra that you will be equally proud to own and to drive. For a first time Cobra buyer or a seasoned experienced car collector of Shelby's. This one has the real look and with replicated performance to give you the experience of an original period-correct 289 Cobra. And for sure if taken good care of, will only appreciate in its value over the coming years as in the: Shelby Cobra Guaranteed Value. This one's a real peach and roars like a lion. And sadly, but very true, and an important fact today; the replica Cobras build-costs are no doubt becoming far more expensive to build or create one properly. So, in closing (and obviously) THIS Cobra is not a priceless original, but it is an excellent/investment replica FIA Cobra that can be obtained for a fraction of the price of an original Shelby Cobra. As the higher costs to produce one of these are on the rise, I predict that like the original Shelby Cobras that are now over the moon in value(s) and ascending as you read this that even the replicated copies are ALSO gaining in their valued interests and increasing price tags. This replica Cobra was built, not as a hobby-build, but with the intent to satisfy someone else's particular taste and hopefully an extreme appreciation for a more original-like and earlier Shelby AC Cobra. This re-creation Cobra supports (with its construction) a small price to pay for such a huge step into an automobile that was and is so important to Carroll Shelby's automotive history. I got a chance one time to drive an original 289 Cobra. The replicas are truly better in many ways (all except their monetary and historic value) even Carroll Shelby agreed with that fact because of time, engineering technology and modern components. But in truth, the magic that comes from driving one of these can only be explained this way: There is NOTHING in the world quite like a Shelby Cobra... ANY version of Carrol Shelby's iconic design and concept. For sheer fun and drivability his replicas seem to be the logical answer for a Shelby Cobra. And also, why his continuation Cobras from Shelby American, Superformance and Factory Five are so popular. There is a long wait for finished cars. This replica FIA Cobra (and a good one) is ready, available and like brand new. What more can I say about this exceptional FIA Cobra example? I'm sure that I've said enough. It's your move now. Thank You ROK
 
 
This replica Cobra is Oregon titled as a 1964 Cobra. Words: Richard O. Kiser Photos: Tony Leckband

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1964 Shelby for Sale

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1964 Shelby Cobra

$125,000

2,000 miles

Private seller

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