Motor Authority - blog Tag: Cobra

Hand-made in Modena, Italy, by Carozzeria Grand Sport, the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe is still undeniably an all-American car. Built to dominate the FIA's GT class, the Shelby and its team were the first Americans to take on and beat Ferrari on its home turf - clinching the victory on July 4th, 1965. And now the car that helped Carroll Shelby build his name and legend - the 1965 CSX2601 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe – has been sold at auction at this weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California.

The car was recently auctioned at the 22nd Dana Mecum Original Spring Classic Auction in Indianapolis, Indiana in May, but didn't...

Hand-made in Modena, Italy, by Carozzeria Grand Sport, the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe is still undeniably an all-American car. Built to dominate the FIA's GT class, the Shelby and its team were the first Americans to take on and beat Ferrari on its home turf - clinching the victory on July 4th, 1965. And now the car that helped Carroll Shelby build his name and legend - the 1965 CSX2601 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe – has been sold at auction at this weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California. The car was recently auctioned at the 22nd Dana Mecum Original Spring Classic Auction in Indianapolis, Indiana in May, but didn't sell. It was expected to bring between $10 million and $15 million but in the end bidding stopped at ‘just’ $7.25 million, making it the most expensive American car ever sold at auction. “Many vintage race cars have a strong American racing history to share – including this vehicle’s sister car CSX 2299 – but no car can claim a finer race hour than the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe CSX2601,” said Dana Mecum, president of Mecum Auction. “The legacy of its World Manufacturer’s Championship win stays with us more than four decades later, reminding us of one the proudest moments in U.S. race history and a competitive spirit of victory against all odds.” The Daytona Cobra Coupe was also licensed for the road, however - at one point the CSX2601 car was owned by a North Dakota businessman who - perhaps appropriately - owned a string of gas stations. He used the car to drive the daily 300mi trip to collect receipts. For those who would like a taste of the experience but don't have the cash for an original, check out the Shelby-approved Superperformance copy here. Read More

The original Daytona Coupe was a race car based loosely on the AC Cobra roadster that was produced in an extremely limited run of just six cars during the 1960s. The cars were created in collaboration with a number of racing legends including Carroll Shelby, Peter Brock and Bob Negstad, and with a top speed in excess of 187mph it was certainly no slouch.

In 1965, the Daytona Coupe went on to become the first and only American car to win the FIA GT World Championship, cementing its legacy in motorsports history.

Since then, a number of performance workshops have been building modern-day replicas and one of the most popular is the Shelby... The original Daytona Coupe was a race car based loosely on the AC Cobra roadster that was produced in an extremely limited run of just six cars during the 1960s. The cars were created in collaboration with a number of racing legends including Carroll Shelby, Peter Brock and Bob Negstad, and with a top speed in excess of 187mph it was certainly no slouch. In 1965, the Daytona Coupe went on to become the first and only American car to win the FIA GT World Championship, cementing its legacy in motorsports history. Since then, a number of performance workshops have been building modern-day replicas and one of the most popular is the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe MKII from Shelby Distribution. The company has now launched its long-awaited ‘CSX 9000’ series Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe MKII with a number of improvements, upgrades and new features. The new model will be allocated CSX9000 series chassis numbers and will come complete with a Shelby-issued MSO certificate and Chassis tag. The new models are available with a fiber-glass or aluminum body, and will feature Shelby signature door handles and seat covers. In keeping with modern design, the heater and climate controls for the air-conditioning have no cables and are operated via servo units, the side muffler pipes have been increased in diameter to ensure a deeper rumble, and the wheel wells have been adapted to accommodate 18-inch, deep dish Shelby Cobra style rims. The MSRP of the fiber-glass-bodied CSX 9000 is $89,900. Knocked-down modules and the aluminum-bodied model will be offered at $195,900.Shelby Distribution CSX 9000 series Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe MKII Read More

Nissan’s new 370Z is shaping up to the be the next big tuner special, with one of the first aftermarket firms, Cobra N+, revealing its new kit for the stylish coupe today. With a punchy 3.7-liter V6 up front, a quick-shifting 6-speed with Nissan’s innovative Synchromesh feature and a taught RWD chassis, the 370Z coupe is an ideal platform for tuning firms and Cobra N+’s new kit shows just the beginning of some very exciting mods for the car.

The company has put together all of its parts for the new coupe to form the 370Z Sport Concept, and although no major modifications were made to the engine, Cobra N+ says its... Nissan’s new 370Z is shaping up to the be the next big tuner special, with one of the first aftermarket firms, Cobra N+, revealing its new kit for the stylish coupe today. With a punchy 3.7-liter V6 up front, a quick-shifting 6-speed with Nissan’s innovative Synchromesh feature and a taught RWD chassis, the 370Z coupe is an ideal platform for tuning firms and Cobra N+’s new kit shows just the beginning of some very exciting mods for the car. The company has put together all of its parts for the new coupe to form the 370Z Sport Concept, and although no major modifications were made to the engine, Cobra N+ says its aerodynamic and handling enhancements make all the difference. To reduce unsprung weight, engineers have developed lightweight wheels measuring 19in and shod with Pirelli rubber. The wheels are linked to stiffer-than-stock springs which lower the ride of the 370Z by 30 mm. An additional coilover suspension kit varies the ride height between 20 and 40mm on front and rear axle. Other parts include a new carbon-fiber front bumper insert, a new rear diffuser insert surrounding the exhaust pipes, and a high-flow muffler. For the interior, customers will be able to order special carbon-fiber-look scuff plates. The new performance parts will be offered through Nissan dealers in Japan only for now, and pricing is yet to be revealed.Cobra N+ modified Nissan 370Z Read More

Ford's re-packaging of the Mustang into its 2010 model-year form factor has pleased the critics with a sleeker look, but now Ford Racing is getting ready to please the folks that live only to see quick ETs with the 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet (2008 model pictured).

The 2010 car will wear the FR500CJ model designation just like the car before it, but other specifications have yet to be nailed down. Ford Racing is expecting to put a 425hp 5.4L supercharged V8 straight out of the Ford Racing Parts (FRP) catalog in the standard model, with an optional upgrade to a 475hp aluminum-block engine.

Shifting gears yourself is one of the most rewarding... Ford's re-packaging of the Mustang into its 2010 model-year form factor has pleased the critics with a sleeker look, but now Ford Racing is getting ready to please the folks that live only to see quick ETs with the 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet (2008 model pictured). The 2010 car will wear the FR500CJ model designation just like the car before it, but other specifications have yet to be nailed down. Ford Racing is expecting to put a 425hp 5.4L supercharged V8 straight out of the Ford Racing Parts (FRP) catalog in the standard model, with an optional upgrade to a 475hp aluminum-block engine. Shifting gears yourself is one of the most rewarding parts of driving a car fast when done properly, but at the drag strip, it just slows you down, so Ford is offering a five-speed Liberty manual in addition to a race-prepped automatic on top of the standard six-speed tranny that was available on the 2008 car. To keep the car from crumpling when the shiny side fails to stay up, all 2010 Cobra Jets get an 8.50et NHRA certified roll cage, too. Final testing of components is still underway, but Ford says production will begin in Q4 2009 with first deliveris to start in early 2010. Pricing hasn't been set yet, but will start below $75,000, says Ford. Like last time, only 50 will be available.2009 Ford Mustang FR500 Cobra Jet Read More

The latest concept creation of budding automotive designer Jamie Martin is the modern Cobra Venom V8 based on the original AC Shelby Cobra. In fact, the design depicts a possible successor to the original 1960 Cobra and if built would be powered by a Ford V8 engine. This new video rendering of the car imagines what it would be like in the fast and fuming flesh.

Originally released in photos in June of last year, the Cobra Venom V8's new video brings the renderings to life, and lends a soundtrack to the spec sheet. Martin’s design specifications have the car packing a 4.6L supercharged Ford V8 delivering 524hp (391kW) and 420lb-ft... The latest concept creation of budding automotive designer Jamie Martin is the modern Cobra Venom V8 based on the original AC Shelby Cobra. In fact, the design depicts a possible successor to the original 1960 Cobra and if built would be powered by a Ford V8 engine. This new video rendering of the car imagines what it would be like in the fast and fuming flesh. Originally released in photos in June of last year, the Cobra Venom V8's new video brings the renderings to life, and lends a soundtrack to the spec sheet. Martin’s design specifications have the car packing a 4.6L supercharged Ford V8 delivering 524hp (391kW) and 420lb-ft (569Nm) of torque at 3,500rpm. This is enough power to send the sports coupe to a top speed of 214mph and accelerate it from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a Tremec six-speed manual or optional six-speed auto with paddle-shift operation. The chassis includes lightweight extruded aluminum and carbon-fiber components, and rides on 17in alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tires. Other details include xenon headlights with LED detailing both front and back. No word yet on whether Martin or his company have any plans to produce the vehicle or enter into partnerships to do so, but based on what we see here, it would be a certain success for a niche clientele, marrying as it does the best of '60s Cobra design with modern materials and themes. On the other hand, the tough economy and prevailing ecological attitudes may work to keep this car's production limited to virtual reality.Cobra Venom V8 design studyCobra Venom V8 design study Read More

Superformance, manufacturer of Shelby Cobra replica kit cars, has teamed up with Roush, another household name in Ford performance upgrades, to create a special edition Cobra kit car pumping out 576hp (429kW). The Superformance MKIII was specially built for last year's SEMA event, and is usually sold as a rolling chassis - without an engine or transmission - however Roush has dumped its 427 IR engine into the lightweight roadster, and the entire car is being sold as an upgrade for the standard MKIII chassis.

The Superformance MKIII with Roush's 427ci (7.0L) V8 weighs around 2,600lbs (1,180kg) and is an exact replica of the iconic Shelby... Superformance, manufacturer of Shelby Cobra replica kit cars, has teamed up with Roush, another household name in Ford performance upgrades, to create a special edition Cobra kit car pumping out 576hp (429kW). The Superformance MKIII was specially built for last year's SEMA event, and is usually sold as a rolling chassis - without an engine or transmission - however Roush has dumped its 427 IR engine into the lightweight roadster, and the entire car is being sold as an upgrade for the standard MKIII chassis. The Superformance MKIII with Roush's 427ci (7.0L) V8 weighs around 2,600lbs (1,180kg) and is an exact replica of the iconic Shelby Cobra in terms of dimensions and aesthetics. In addition to the MKIII's standard features, the new collaboration with Roush means that this limited-edition Superformance MKIII gets Roush emblems and a custom Roush shifter knob, as well as Roush floor mats and Wind Wings. The MKIII also features custom Wilwood upgraded power-assisted vented disc brakes to match the performance of the formidable 427 IR crate engine, as well as custom sway bars and Bilstein shocks and H&R Springs to make the handling a little more predictable than the unforgiving Shelby Cobra of old. Fiberglass is used to construct the body, while the jig-Welded parallel ladder frame of heavy wall 2" x 4" (5cm x 10cm) rectangular steel tubing incorporates front and rear crumple zones for added safety. To maintain the authenticity of the replica, an old style steering wheel is also supplied, along with original style instruments specially manufactured by Smiths of England. Additionally, there are special Cobra seats featuring custom embroidery, black chrome trime, American Racing 18" (45cm) pin drive wheels and a unique paint job in bright red, complimented by silver stripes.Superperformance Roush MKIII Read More