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. Not all Cobra reproductions are created equal, and it's pretty significant that this 1965 Shelby Cobra by Superformance has the bragging rights of being created by the... iconic model's only officially licensed reproducer. It's in outstanding condition, shows exceptional build quality and is well-equipped for exhilarating performance. 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 '65 looks great in its Guardsman Blue paint - it's a great fit for this head turner and in very good form with a nice, deep shine. There are no mere decals used here - the pair of signature white stripes running over the hood and deck lid are painted on and show very clean edges. 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 complete black vinyl top with side and rear windows is included, so cold 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 leather bucket seat sporting a four-point racing harness to provide further evidence of this Cobra's abilities on the asphalt. The forward incline of the manual shifter puts it within easy reach and as you peer beyond the woodgrain steering wheel, you'll find a thorough assortment of clear, functional gauges and control knobs on the dash. Below, the black carpeting is still nice and fresh and features a pair of Superperformance floor mats, and a set of custom AC inscribed pedals are a great added touch. The trunk area is also 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 428 cubic inch FE Cobra Jet V8 residing in the engine compartment carries a pair of Edelbrock aluminum heads to maximize power and a pair of Holley 4-barrel carbs that sit under their own compact chrome air cleaners for optimal feeding. The big block packs quite a punch and is fittingly paired with a Tremec TKO500 5-speed manual transmission - one of the few that can be trusted to handle the engine's output. Dual electric fans team with a sizable radiator to keep operating temperatures in check, while power disc brakes at all four corners bring dependable, low-effort stops. This Shelby scorches the pavement on its set of 15" Halibrand wheels wrapped with BF Goodrich T/A radials. Well-crafted and in very clean condition, this 1965 Shelby Cobra by Superperformance is an outstanding representative of the model. Call today!
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