1965 Carbon Fiber Manual

Description for Shelby Cobra 1965

Less weight is the same as more horsepower, everyone knows that. But what happens when you take a car with one of the best power-to-weight ratios of all time, then take out even MORE weight? You get this 1965 Shelby Cobra replica by Factory Five. With a carbon-fiber body, a potent stroker motor, and a chassis built for combat, this is the most extreme Cobra you'll ever drive. Factory Five built 10 Cobra bodies out of carbon fiber, with this being one of them. Weighing in at just 50 pounds, the featherweight body shell is even lighter than the original aluminum and puts this Cobra squarely in the "insanity" category when it comes to performance. It's drenched in bright red paint, so nobody will notice the carbon (although we have to admit the idea of a naked carbon Cobra is insanely appealing), making even this Cobra a bit of a sleeper. It has a very traditional look with a correct set of white stripes that wrap around into the jambs, proper vents in the fenders, and exceptionally good finish quality. The carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, so the car feels robust, not flimsy as you'd expect, and with the typical Cobra accents like the bumperettes, flip-up gas cap, and Lucas-style taillights, nobody's going to know the difference. The only thing that might give it away is the two-man roll hoop, but given this car's proclivity for acceleration, it's just a good idea. The interior is also very much in the traditional Cobra style, with wrap-around black buckets, simple door panels, and a wide transmission tunnel with a forward-canted shifter. Smiths gauges monitor the vitals and they're correct right down to the reverse-rotation speedometer. There's also a fat leather-wrapped wheel with a set of traditional spokes and Cobra horn button, a nice twist on the original that's also more functional. Full carpets help control noise and heat and there are full harnesses and removable head rests; again, simply a good idea for a car that accelerates like a rocket sled. The trunk is finished bare aluminum, which certainly looks industrial, and the car comes with a convertible top assembly and side curtains that have never been installed. Dressed in finned Cobra gear, the 320 cubic inch 5.0 stroker motor is a massive over-achiever, particularly with less than a ton to haul around. It features AFR 185 aluminum heads, a big Holley carburetor, MSD ignition system, and race-grade fittings throughout. A billet serpentine accessory drive system manages the alternator and water pump, because power steering isn't required on something so light. Custom headers dump into those fantastic-sounding sidepipes and nobody who hears this car will know that it's not a 427 making the noise. Underneath there's a tube frame chassis with A-arms and coil-overs, rack-and-pinion steering, and big disc brakes up front, while the rear end is a familiar Mustang 8.8-inch with trailing arms and adjustable shocks, plus another set of disc brakes. The 5-speed manual gearbox snaps off easy shifts and has a deep overdrive so this monster is still pretty reasonable to drive on the street. And with so little weight, those giant 17-inch Cobra R replica wheels and giant tires are massive overkill. It's going to be hard to find the limits on this Cobra. Light weight, big power, awesome looks, and impressive build quality make this Cobra stand out. For the money, we'll wager there is no faster car available anywhere and if you're a good enough driver to master it, this Cobra offers rewards that few other cars can match. Call today!