The Shady History of Shelby Cobra Replicas

If you've ever seen a Shelby Cobra rumble past, chances are it wasn't an original. In fact, over 60,000 replica Cobras have been printed out over the decades; way more than the number of authentic AC Cobras made in the 1960s. Why has John Tojiero's AC ACE design become such an iconic piece of automotive history- how are so many kit car brands allowed to copy off of it- and how do you get your hands on the BEST cheap Shelby Cobra replica kit car?
NOTICE: Clips used from other videos are fair use and fall under U.S. copyright law because this work is transformative in nature, and has no negative effect on the market for the original work. It is against the law to fraudulently claim a copyright on a video you do not own under the DMCA or to abuse KZbin’s copyright claim tool. Copyright concerns and takedown requests can be submitted to: [e-mail]
This video isn't car buying advice, I am not payed by nor affiliated with the brands featured. Remember to do your own research before considering any of these vehicles, as I cannot guarantee their legitimacy.
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[@iteerrex8166]

Waw, it’s a cheap copy of a Ferrari, designed by a British guy, famed as an American. Lol I don’t care, I want one.

[@drewschumann1]

Don't forget "powered by a commuter car engine"

[@danielbryant1539]

The only thing that makes it American at all is the Ford engine.

[@bobertkallahan4392]

⁠@@danielbryant1539The only thing that makes an ass is two cheeks, that happens to be crucial. What is your point?

[@RecoveringUGrad]

I really think the issue of it being authentic or not is petty. Sure the originals are awesome, but todays replicas are superior in strength and safety. Unless you have 7 figures to drop on an exceptionally rare buying opportunity, who are you to act like a purest snob? If you are a purest snob who can afford one, you’ll quickly fade into irrelevancy in most peoples lives anyways, but you’ll be remembered well…not very fondly. People who don’t have those kind of funds are still finding a way to enjoy living their dream of having a cobra. Want to argue semantics about whether it’s authentic or not? At the end of the day, what have you actually accomplished by letting your disapproval known? Did you save society or something? Find something more worthwhile with your life and let people live part of their dream.

[@danielsnow6867]

A local shop in the town i grew up in built these and the owner took me for a quick drive in a Factory Five replica, it was an incredible machine

[@jay_hubs_8955]

Been subscribed to this channel since it's beginning. Happy to see how well it is growing. I see. Great things in the future for you. Keep up a great content

[@Maldito_Miguelito]

is so interesting seeing the community of replicas of the cobra i always loved seeing than as i knew they were made with passion as there are no og cobras in brazil

[@thijmenboonstra4974]

Yo i'm so in love with these documenteries❤️❤️ Bro Netflix should hire you 💯🔥

[@BanginGearsGarage]

Great Video!!!!! Absolutely love my Factory Five!!!!!! Just converted her over from Carbonator to 8-Stacked EFI, for a more authentic look under the hood.

[@reikhard]

Again, great video about one of my favourite all time cars!

[@shenanpz51]

If my memory serves me right, the first Cobra replica was built in the USA by a company named Arnst Industries. I have a LR Roadster or RAM 427 which is (was) an english company and the only kit builder which C.Shelby approuved as a true continuation of the original CSX cars (that was back in the 80's). The RAM was also used as a gentleman racing car in the so called Bardahl Trophy (beg.90's). The RAM has a spaceframe chassis designed by A.Reynard (designed many racecars including Indy) and a fiberglass body with a moulded integrated secondary chassis making the chassis very rigid allowing better suspension adjustments.

[@AnagramAutoclassics]

The very first replicas were built by BRA in Donington, England, but were shut down by Carroll Shelby in the early 80s. Gerry Hawkridge worked at BRA and later founded Hawk Cars, which still makes a great 289 replica.

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

Arntz

[@eddiemc2]

Steve Arntz and Ron Butler both worked for Shelby in the Le Mans projects, Butler has all the tooling, drawings, toolboxes and parts from the Shelby workshop. Arntz was the designer and Butler was the chef engineer. They went on to make the first factory made copies, they built the chassis stronger and moved the engine back 10" for better weight distribution. They got the dies for the panels and made the fiberglass 1/4 - 5/16 thick, very strong. The choice of engine was Chevy 350 or Ford 427. There were only 64 made, as luck would have it, I have one. Made in 1979.

[@shenanpz51]

@@eddiemc2 I am 73 and fell in love with Cobras in 1966 in a slalom race in Lodrino Switzerland. Living on this side of the pond I did not have access to the same information you could. Nevertheless I built à Cobra replica in 1991 from an english company called RAM or LR Roadsters. I still drive it and participate to the European Cobra Meeting. Have a great day.

[@tkdhanesh01]

Legendary designs will evolving over time! Such a beauty !

[@proto57]

In the late 1970's I worked in an auto store in Peekskill, NY. I was in my late teens, and really into cars. I had a few British sports cars, like a couple of Sunbeam Alpines and TR4's, and a 1600 BMW. And so on. It was a sickness! Anyway, a frequent customer... who was in his early 20's, and also had a "bunch of old cars", and drove some huge old Mercedes... offered me a project he didn't think he would ever get to: A 1960's (I forget the year) AC Ace. The engine was out, and all the parts in boxes. It had a rolling chassis though. It was in very solid shape. He wanted $300 for it. I turned it down, because I had no real address of my own, and had to keep the cars on other people's properties, like my Dad's, and Grandmothers... not making me very popular for that. So I had to say "no". Almost half a century later, this still bugs me to no end. We usually remember the ones that got away, as they say.

[@Psychonaut_]

the best are 100% hands-down Kirkham.

[@daviddickinson6346]

What determines that it is the best. Have you driven them all, examined them all. The best in your opinion only . I have built my Cobra completely myself and have been meticulous in the build. It drives better than an expensive Cobra replica that i also once owned so i disagree that kirkham are the best.

[@CapeCodTrainTodd]

Nice video. Most of us cannot afford a real one so we turn to a replica. I have been enjoying my FFR "Cobra" for 23 years now. I bought the kit in 98 and I remember when Shelby was suing FFR and I didn't know what was going to happen to my car and there was a rumor that if he won he was going to be able to seize all the replicas. Luckily it all worked out. FFR does not call it a Cobra but a Roadster MK1- MK4 depending on when the kit was built. They are beautiful cars.

[@chelleb3055]

We've hauled several Cobras but only one that was an original, authentic one. They are incredible. We just hauled the aluminum body version and it is GORGEOUS in person!!

[@Bukkakenist]

I have a Cobra Dax Tojeiro. Of course a replica but I enjoy every mile of it.

[@memphisbulls1859]

AC are still making Cobras . This seems to be overlooked by so many kit manufactures in fact they are just launching an up scaled version for the modern world

[@memphisbulls1859]

Great video but the original car was an AC Cobra not a Shelby Cobra , no matter how good a snake oil salesman Carol Shelby was he could never get away from that fact

[@mikes9759]

Thats what I thought! And their making Daytonas too. I was lucky to drive a real 427 car in 71 and it is still my favorite car since seeing it in 65. For a lot of years a lot of people had no idea what a Cobra was and if you said Cobra most assumed you meant a Mustang. And to this day I run into people that don't know of Cobra.

[@ronreyes9910]

Funny how this doesn't include the Kirkham, so accurate to the original that it's the only reproduction car that is included in the SACC registry. Shelby sources their aluminum cars from Kirkham. Oh, the first v8 AC Ace was a one off car powered by a 283 chevy corvette engine called the "Corvace" that Shelby raced against in his final year - yea, Shelby "invented" it. Shelby did own the rights to the Daytona coupe which was designed by Peter Brock who was working for Shelby American at the time.

[@TobinTwinsHockey]

Superformance is not a kit. And it is licensed by Shelby. Key distinctions left out.

[@walterlefferts6297]

Sorry , But superformance cars are still Replicas NOT Originals , although they are a Nice replicas : )

[@macmaven5037]

Still a replica. Superformance cars are not given a Shelby registry number.

[@infosyoutube3693]

@@macmaven5037Superformance are a reproduction and licensed through Shelby so the proportions are right and proper place equipment and gauges. I was also able to title it as a 1965 Shelby Cobra

[@enigmatwist6548]

@@infosyoutube3693 How can Shelby licence a car that wasn’t really his? The first Cobra was an AC Cobra which was just a modified AC ACE admittedly created at the request of Shelby. The original car was designed and then manufactured in the UK bar engine and transmission then shipped to the US. The design was further refined and enhanced from racing experience in conjunction with AC and later Ford. There are as far as I’m aware no original Cobra’s that weren’t manufactured in UK bar engine and a few other bits and bobs. Not denying that Shelby put AC on the map but all the original cars were AC Shelby Cobras so not really his alone to license.

[@daviddickinson6346]

What's the difference, they build it under licence and use the same parts that everyone else can use. Its not an original.

[@louisalmeida89]

Era is the way to go for a replica.

[@tommissouri4871]

In '82 in England, I went to a company that was making them. So long ago, I don't know if it was Dax or Unique Autocraft. I have papers on both, so I'm not sure. I didn't have a place to put one together over there, so asked about ready to run ones. He took me around back to show me some. As we entered this large warehouse, he said, "I'll make you a deal. Your choice for (don't remember but I think it was around £12,000) of the lot." Before getting over to the cars, I picked the one on the far right. He immediately said "Why that one? It isn't new." I replied, "Because that one is real. It is aluminum, and the others are fiberglass." Needless to say, I didn't get it. I do remember him saying that their cars were on a boxed tubing chassis for better stiffness and a couple of inches longer, so that people (Americans) fit. It gave them the legroom and a bit less snap when turning. In the end, I didn't get any of them, especially the real one. If you really want one, there are many places to get the replicas. There are several on eBay selling between $30,000 and $50,000, with quality varying as expected. I'd really advise making the trip to check it in person before putting a bid on any of them. Almost none are identical to the originals and the quality of work, plus how they stand up to the rigors of street life or track life, makes a big difference.

[@JoeBilello1969]

Man what i would've given to be part of that era and building and working on those historic cars😮

[@philtucker1224]

They are all beautiful, simple.👌

[@ronstucker3550]

It's to bad this video doesn't mention the early very close to original (body) kits of Contemporary Classics of Mt Vernon NY. that had full Jaguar XKE front and rear suspensions and ERA of New Britain Ct. also using Jaguar rear suspension. These bodys were formed from actual cobras owned by the founders of each company. ERA still being in business and both bringing top dollar for their cars.

[@rudyyarbrough5122]

I built a Unique as my first Cobra and it was like a movie prop compared to the ERA I built as my second Cobra. The family that built the Uniques was a great family and I met them all. But from the engineering standpoint, ERA was actually better in some ways than the original. The only thing that the ERA kit did that wasn't standard was to make the two air vent knobs "in" when they were open and not pulled out like the originals. The reason according to ERA was that no one ever pushed them in because there was so much cockpit heat so it looked cleaner to have them in all of the time but the vents were open. I had a Ford 427 Sideoiler in it and it was simply a beast. In normal driving, I had to be very careful not to spin the tires in any gear at the wrong time such as in a turn. It really needed a five-speed with overdrive because the Ford Top Loader was just geared too low for highway driving. It was a fun car but if you don't like to talk to people wherever you go, don't build one!

[@Mr1956wagon]

I have an ERA FIA, the body was modeled after CSX2345, and is pretty spot on in the details. What many people fail to realize, is that there were several iterations of Cobras amongst the originally built cars as well. No two CSX cars are truly identical.

[@andrewchapman8731]

I hope to get a factory 5 mark 4 roadster at some point and then get one of those fast back hardtops for it so I can ride in almost all weather.

[@walterlefferts6297]

NO Cobras are SAFE in Bad weather ! lol Trust Me "Been there" : (

[@hfreistify]

today there is only one vendor with a original shelby license "Superperformance" Blackdraft is also good ... but Superperformance is just a car where everything fits together

[@NaeMuckle]

I always knew the car as an AC cobra. I didn't even realise there was a shelby cobra until decades after. The cars a British AC with an American power plant.

[@777ChildofGod]

You are sharp as a marble

[@terryatpi]

Next time I see one rumble past will be the first one I’ve ever seen. I’m 62

[@johnarthur5692]

Not a bad video, the beginning had some interesting history. One thing though, Superformance and Backdraft are not kit cars but replicas, Factory five is not the best on the market but is becoming the most popular. It is a kit car as it comes in about 100 boxes like a giant model kit.

[@brs2c]

Factory Five can be bad, but also can be close to the best on the market (their chassis might be the best), however, their quality is 100% determined by the builder.

[@paulmarion7578]

Jay Leno recommends them he knows a lot about cars .

[@kevinwells768]

I guess you mean they come almost finished? So the only difference is factory assembly. Its the same engineering, the same grp, same wheels same engines as anyone else.

[@johnarthur5692]

@@kevinwells768 to reduce it to its simplest form yes. Each one does however have its own style frame and various suspension components. So most Cobra replicas look very similiar but underneath are individual and sometimes unique.

[@the.squidd]

I guess the saying that "Great Artists Steal" rings true again...

[@user-sr9in2es8b]

The Shelby Cobras had two V8s, a small block 289c.i.& 302c.i.. and a big block FE 427c.i. side oiler. and the replicas had a number of different engine options. they could even be had with a Chevrolet LS small block.

[@marydesmond9595]

I believe the originals had a 260 c.i. motor.

[@charleslookabill9272]

You are right . ​@@marydesmond9595

[@gymshoe8862]

Wow, no mention of Kirkhams? They are all aluminum bodies, famously polished to show it off, they can provide a car actually improved over the originals! They are quite expensive but I say they are worthy successors to authentic Cobras. Bodies made in Poland!

[@tedecker3792]

When I was in high school the bag boy at the local supermarket had a new 289 Cobra. Everyone wondered how a kid could come up with $4,000!

[@JoJoJoker]

He got a good deal if they cost $7500 according to the video!

[@tedecker3792]

@@JoJoJoker you are right on the price, and his dad owned the grocery store.

[@KRW628]

60-thousand+ Cobra kits produced? How many are on the road? I've only ever seen ONE; and that was about 30 years ago. In Chicago

[@Mahoromatic]

Glaspac from Brazil made AC Cobra replicas in the early 80s

[@chrisdaigle5410]

The Ace body looks better than the Barchetta did.

[@Hirthirthirt]

The aluminum-bodies were replaced due to rust....THIS is interesting XD

[@colubrinedeucecreative]

I don't think they should be able to use his name on them at least, maybe that is why not many of them say that toward the end? I also feel like they were flat out disrespecting the king doing so and then not backing down when he sued. None of us would even know what that car was had it not been for him and his genuis. Also this was one of the first rebadged cars and was sold through ford, so I am a bit suprised. Maybe it was a bit too earaly to be liscenced properly but rebadging happened later the probe sticks out to me and I guarantee they could pursue people trying to reuse that in such a way. I don't really think it stands what was said about it being some kind of copy of that Ferarri, the AC model made that design look way better, and the comparison with the MG is more about the cars type of that era. British small 2 seat cheap fun convertables made for the streets over there. Granted that Carrol had to widen the thing to fit the same tires that he fit on the GT 40 while the brits were manufacturing them was mainly due to ford not wanting to give him any more money. So they had to find something and that is why it came about. But that is what made it the cobra that everyone wants today (mostly everyone), the original is still kind of ugly like those mgs compared to the wider lower fatter tire cobra we all dream of. We dream of it because of the V8s in them, not the little 4 bangers that were made to keep prices low. That design and philosophy was over a decade old at that point. Nice video, well done!

[@patrickhayes3099]

Aluminum bodies do not RUST, they oxidize, yes, rust no.

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

Seems to me they were building some aluminum bodied replicas in Poland , I think , back in the nineties .

[@DelEast740]

5:45 is truth. Carol Shelby's involvement made it an original.

[@damham5689]

Shelby is insane if he wanted to claim the AC Cobra body was his. Its actually an AC Ace. Shelby just make it fast.

[@user-hc9qv9yb9m]

I got sick of these cars years ago. Why no modern version (except the F9) has been done?

[@QuickshiftCars]

There was a V10 Ford concept that came out in 2004, but was never made. AC Cars is also planning a carbon fiber redesign that will be unveiled in spring

[@caseymurray7722]

I mean an ls swapped Miata is the same idea as a Cobra. It's gorgeous but literally any short wheelbase v8 roadster would be very similar. As to why no modern version it's practically a race car with basically no safety requirements. So unless it's a kit car or completely redesigned it's not getting into production. Even the Cobras from Shelby themselves come without an engine and transmission to keep them legal.

[@Cobra_Ranch_Garage]

The superformance is not a kit and you can in fact buy them turnkey. They are the only one license to build them by Carol Shelby.

[@BradThePitts]

Factory Five Racing says they've made more Cobra replicas than "all other replica companies combined." They are currently at about chassis 12,000 - so where did the 60,000 number in the video come from?

[@QuickshiftCars]

That's the estimate from Pilgrim Motorsports www.pilgrim-motorsports.co.uk/knowledge/how-much-is-a-shelby-cobra-replica/

[@BradThePitts]

@@QuickshiftCars Is it possible that Factory Five Racing was only considering build-at-home kit cars and didn't consider factory-built Cobras such as Superformance?

[@BradThePitts]

P.S. I'm in one of the cars at 6:57 that footage is from over 10 years ago. The footage is from Orange County, California. Thank the weather- the Southern California Cobra scene is the biggest in the world.

[@walterlefferts6297]

its a FAKE number , Just like their Cars ! lol

[@sergeantmasson3669]

The first 289 Shelby Cobra is still at Shelby American in Las Vegas. NOT sold at auction.

[@jimmag3991]

The first Cobra was not a 289, it was a 260. It was sold at auction. If it is still at Shelby American, it is there on loan for display.

[@JoJoJoker]

No visible fan blades up front almost guarantees it is replica Cobra. It does not ensure it is an authentic car.

[@ktvcars]

I had NO idea there were so many fake ones out there! Another banger of a video, keep them coming!

[@CrackedCandy]

Fake and replica is not the same. Fake sellers present as real, replica let's you know what you're getting upfront and expect a lesser price. Like faux leather.

[@vontegethoff]

Replica probably easier to live with in this day and age

[@hansanderson6607]

If I was in the market for a "new" Cobra, I would be buying an ALL ALUMINUM KIRKHAM Cobra body, along with the best drivetrain that I could afford.

[@Mr1956wagon]

ERA makes some of the most accurate (true to the original Shelby Cobras) and best quality Cobra replicas on the market. Superformance (Shelby Legendary Cars part of the business) and Unique would also be excellent choices for those who want the details that resemble the original cars. BDR is a good choice for those looking to customize and put their own modern touches on this timeless design. FF5 offers versatility for those on a budget. There are other manufacturers who are no longer in business from the 70s-2000s out there that may be a good buy for someone trying to get into the Cobra world affordably.

[@stephenc6955]

The ERA is an old school replica, stout and heavy. It is *not* authentic at all. Superformance is South African. Eye candy body, poor frame. Backdraft is also South African. Awkward looking 2" wheelbase extension and also a poor frame Factory Five is all American. It is the best affordable kit. If you have the budget, Kirkham in Utah has the best Cobra bar none

[@Mr1956wagon]

@@stephenc6955 Agree to disagree. Kirkham does make the best aluminum replica, and if money is no object, is the way to go. But to say an ERA is not authentic is off base. Ask anyone who has been around Cobras, real and replicas for years, and they'll say ERA hangs with the best of them. Yes, the chassis are rectangular frame vs. round tubing, and your getting coil spring vs. leaf in FIA/Slabside models, but as far as a fiberglass car, it is top notch. The other fiberglass manufacturers do not bond the fiberglass to an aluminum sub-structure. Sure, it adds weight, but you don't get stress cracks and the creaks and rattles of other models that the bodies bolt right to the chassis. So, a company that has been building Cobra replicas since 1981 that has a minimum two year waiting list must be doing something right. FFR is the best option on a budget, no argument there.

[@stephenc6955]

@@Mr1956wagon You made my argument for me. 4"x3" rectangular tubing - not authentic. The entire rear structure - not authentic. Bolt on Jaguar rearend including subframe - not authentic. GM truck front suspension - not authentic. Fiberglass body splashed off an original - *authentic* The ERA is not "accurate", it's a good old school replica, but not authentic. For those interested, ERA has a 40+ page brochure on their website that explains everything.

[@Mr1956wagon]

@@stephenc6955 And none of the other manufacturers offer the authenticity of an original Cobra either if we're splitting hairs to that level, with the exception of a Kirkham. Maybe what I should've said and left it at that was the body lines, proportions, and interior are more authentic. I own an ERA FIA, so I'm biased, but parked next to a FFR, BDR, and a CSX, two out of the four are immediately picked off, that's all I'm saying. If you don't care how it looks compared to a real CSX, then you have an abundance of choices.

[@JamesDoylesGarage]

Wow, this video, is so full of major historical holes. Superformance's Jimmy Price was the only guy that asked for permission and a licensing deal with Mr. Shelby. Superformance is now the only company to be building official "Shelly Cobra's". How could you have not know this, and told a story anyways. Sad

[@willclrh2o498]

The 427 is my dream car. I'll take the kit. No need to pay over 2 million. Lol

[@mchristr]

No one--except deep-pocket collectors--cares about authenticity. It's about the looks, the performance, and the way it makes you feel behind the wheel.

[@iMatthew98]

Superformance is in its own class. Superformance cars are build under Shelby licensing. Only continuation cars Shelby approved.

[@darrenbayman8988]

Given that Shelby didn’t actually build anything, all they did was install motors and gearboxes into cars designed and built by AC Cars at Thames Ditton in the U.K., being Shelby approved means absolutely nothing.

[@Schroedimoto]

"Due to the original aluminum shells cracking or rusting...." Aluminum... Rusting

[@louismccall]

I plan to wreck mine…. So Factory 5

[@intellectracoon]

don't care if it's the real deal it looks awesome and i want one so bad.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Carroll Shelby was angry that none of the replicas ever paid any royalties for stealing his designs.

[@IeeIee778]

None of the "designs" were his

[@gymshoe8862]

He spoke about it many times--he was frustrated seeing the millions of dollars spent on kit cobras and he wanted a way to get his piece of the action. He didn't own any "rights" to Cobra-looking cars.

[@cnev3824]

i built my ffr mk1 18 years ago and have loved every second the more miles the more smiles

[@frogandspanner]

Why would Shelby think he owned the rights to the design of the car and the Cobra name, rather than AC?

[@grahambell4298]

Shelby owned the rights to the name because it was his idea to call the car Cobra. He had nothing to do with the design though.

[@frogandspanner]

@@grahambell4298 In the UK it was the AC Cobra, with rights the the name being owned by AC. The car was AC's. Hence Shelby had no rights to the vehicle.

[@grahambell4298]

@@frogandspanner I'm from the UK, and I think you'll find that it was Shelby who registered the Cobra name, which he later sold to Ford. Hence Mustang Cobra. But I agree that Shelby had no rights to the actual vehicle. In fact when Ford pulled the financial plug on the Cobra and ended the contract with Shelby, AC continued to make a version of the car for a couple of years for the European market but without the Cobra name, calling it just the AC 289.

[@keithroute8906]

At the car shows you will find the retired military officer with a fake one they will say is a kit car but “it is actually full of real original parts the builders were able to obtain.” Seems the retired pilots corner the market on a lot of them. Seen and heard it over and over. The last time this happened I acted like I was buying in to the original parts story but I knew better. That company who built his car was a well known replica company and they only use new parts. They use and source all the parts that they build into their replicas. There is no way they would incorporate 70 year old parts in their brand new builds and guarantee anything. They probably wouldn’t be perfectly compatible with their new reproduction part either. Not sure if the guy believed what he was saying or just spewing garbage but he is one of thousands with the same story.

[@skylershank9309]

I had a replica built for me from Unique which I feel is as good if not better than any kit out there.

[@SirPierreSe]

287 Likes now =)

[@rolandrodriguez3854]

I'd rather drive a replica car so i could customize it to fit me. If i had an original, I'd park it, so as to not damage an original!

[@gustavfraser4795]

Love Shelby cobras would also make a gorgeous fake one but to be honest Shelby did the same thing

[@vel87x]

This right here is what I tell people all the time. They don't realize the originals in that very sense were a "kit car".

[@larrymackey9591]

How many times so I have to hear someone say superperfomance, it is superfomance.

[@tdalb8985]

Of 998 built how many survive to this day? They were race cars, between that, everyday crashes and drivers over their head mishaps.

[@gymshoe8862]

There is a registry that makes an effort to account for every car--they could give a very close number.

[@raskal69]

Replica or not, cobras are fucking sick. My grandpa has one (don’t know if it’s replica or original) but it’s sick. Too bad the clutch is too heavy for it

[@thomasmcintosh2931]

I want to go to a car show and not see one ? Why not who cares they are nice to look at. Ok maybe we should wait a long time to finally get to see a real one then what happens 😂.

[@pauldobson2768]

Superformance and Backdraft are both South African company’s not British!

[@guillermoocho359]

There's two original cobras close to where I work. Both for sale. If they haven't been sold yet. 289 and 427

[@walterlefferts6297]

"IF" they are Indeed REAL .... Your lookin at a MINIMUM of $800,000 to 1.5 MILLION EACH ... possible more if they are Competition cars with Prominence . I know of a 427 S/C car that sold for 1.9 Million

[@guillermoocho359]

@@walterlefferts6297 I'm not sure if they were used for racing to be honest. But I do know the gentleman at the time was selling them for hundreds of thousands each. He has many other cars also. A Porsche roadster like the one James Dean crashed in. A 66 fastback Shelby supercharged from the factory. A car that looks like a the one from monopoly. I can't remember the rest. But all were for sale at that time.

[@walterlefferts6297]

@Guillermo Ocho Nice High end Dealer or collector Most likely ..

[@guillermoocho359]

@@walterlefferts6297 inheritance. It's a collection from many many years back.

[@walterlefferts6297]

@Guillermo Ocho ok Gotcha My boss was a collector as well, 153 automobiles in his collection .... His collection was recently auctioned off at Southbys For 123 Million .. but not all his cars were included . His collecting spanned over 75 Years

[@reggie2334able]

Just because it’s inspired from a Ferrari, it doesn’t take away from it. It’s far superior in looks to the Ferrari that it was supposedly copied from. And my guess is it would destroy a Ferrari around a track.

[@NLL230]

I have a Factory Five and love it. Might buy a Superperformance next time

[@vlga8917]

and all the owners of these copies somehow think they are worth over 100k when they sell them

[@davidblalock9945]

Bar none, Factory Five's Mk4 Roadster is the best Cobra Clone on the market. The build quality of the components are second to none. Since the running gear is designed around a mustang donor car, it can be completed with a junk yard car for those on a budget, or finished out with new off the shelf components for those willing to spend the money. Either way you end up with a monster performer.

[@sburns2421]

It certainly seems the easiest to build and if I were to build one from scratch what I would probably choose. But it is definitely not the most authentic and true to the original. An acquaintance has an ERA finished to a very high level. His thought, and I tend to agree, is that the demarcation between faithful replica and kit car is if it has true knock off wheels. This was before a metal body was available, but today knock offs and metal body today is the "best" replica (and easily the most expensive).

[@kumaquattro]

davidblalock9945 FFR's used to sell for $10K, now it's $15K. Do you really think their "build quality of their components are second to none" ??? REALLY ???? Every component is cheap as they can make . Their standard interior comes with cheap carpets, cheap naugahyde dash and seats, their mass produced side pipes were never straight and parallel along the side of the body, just for examples . Superformance is much higher in quality and anyone who knows about Cobras, knows that the king of replicas is Kirkham Cobras !! The overwhelming reason FFR became so big is because of the low entry price point to get into a Cobra, certainly not because it was such a high quality car .

[@vel87x]

I've seen very well-built FFR's and I've seen some that hold true to the "if ya squint, it's mint" saying. To call it the best is ignorant. Most affordable.....yes.

[@macmaven5037]

Having built one myself, I don't think you can use 'best' and 'quality' of build components in the same sentence as 'junkyard'. Mine was done with all new parts and I had quite a few extras, and the investment of time and money goes up considerably for a high class build with zero donor parts.

[@davidblalock9945]

@@kumaquattro frugal and cheap are two very different concepts. I’ve been to the factory, and witnessed the processes used to make each component. Cheap is the last word I’d think of to describe it all.

[@SPfg3388]

To be clear. Carrol Shelby was always a bit of a con man. There is a big difference between a replica and the kit cars. FF5 are kits. Backdraft and Superformance are factory built replicas. I have a Backdraft and other than looking similar to an original, that's about all that is the same. I'm happy to say there isn't one Ford part on that car. 600 horsepower Roush engine with BMW suspension. Doesn't get any better than that.

[@danmartin633]

Cobras are like Louis Vuitton bags. Every time I see one, I assume it's a fake😁

[@walterlefferts6297]

haha MOST Likely they ARE ... its a Very RARE occurrence that you will EVER see a real One on the street . They are simply Too Valuable to be out on a Highway these days . I stopped driving Mine YEARS ago when a stupid person pulled out in front of me and I had to go off the road to avoid an accident .. These cars are Irreplaceable , unless your a Millionaire ... Even the High End replicas are Pricey today .... Upwards of 125K for a Nice one . Shelby only produced 343, 427 models compared to Many THOUSANDS of Replica Cars out there today . So YEA most Highly Likely ANY Cobra you see on the street is NOT an Original ... Even back in 60s to see a Real one ,was RARE . To Me its Very sad , that ANY Replicas were ever produced . An original Cobra is an ICON never to be Replicated .

[@Dragon228833]

$2000 wheels and a $2000 paint definitely do not justify a $35k price difference in kits

[@BradThePitts]

A good paint job on a fiberglass replica Cobra is currently between $6,000 and $9,000. It's about 100 hours labor depending on the kit and other options.

[@gymshoe8862]

I'd paint one (for myself) in my garage for 300 bucks in materials.@@BradThePitts

[@IamcountachYT]

Imagine if somebody converted their shelby cobra replica into a shelby cobra concept to replicate the concept car

[@hansanderson6607]

Don't waste your money on a 60 year old original, which may or MAY NOT be running in prime condition.. Buy a Kirkham aluminum body, and build one that runs BETTER than the original, for HALF THE PRICE.

[@BKMDano17]

Factory Five has sold the most but they rely on advertising and false claims. Buy one and see just how poorly it's made. Superformance is the way to go if you can afford it.

[@BradThePitts]

Can you be specific about Factory Five's false claims?

[@CrackedCandy]

Tell us more Dan

[@RecoveringUGrad]

So why aren’t the multiple repeat customers complaining then? Just like every business there are occasional problems and some people are so picky they will never be satisfied. Of all the forums I browse of Factory Five customers, I’m not seeing what you allege.

[@walterlefferts6297]

There are NO , I repeat NO Recreated or Replica Cobras that are "IDENTICAL" to the original Cars . I have owned a REAL CSX Shelby Cobra built in 1966 in California . EVERY single "Replica " Cobra I have ever seen since then , is Uniquely Dissimilar . Problem is ... MOST people today have NEVER seen a "real " Cobra , so naturally how could they know the difference ! Some Replicas are Extremely Close , I will admit , But Myself as one , KNOWS the Difference . Even the so called "Continuation" CSX 4000 series built in South Africa are NOT EXACTLY the same as a 1960s Shelby Cobra . Never will be I am Sure . I am One of the Lucky ones , who have Driven and owned a "REAL " one : )) Cheers !

[@stephenolenik]

Hi Walter, you should stand next to or sit in and drive and ERA Cobra....you will be blown away! Peter Portante has been building Cobra replicas since 1983 and himself owned for 10 years or so CSX3252 and faithfully copied that car for his 427s. My car built in 2009 has a 428FE and 4-speed top loader both rebuilt from 1965. It's so cool that you owned and original...it must have been an absolute blast to drive back then as they were sooo rare!!

[@walterlefferts6297]

@Stephen Olenik Hello Steve Funny that you have asked I currently own an ERA 427 S/C with a 427side oiler FE Exactly like my original Car :) It was built in 2001 . It IS as you have said ,Extremely close to the Original car .That is the exact Reason I bought it .Very difficult to tell from the original ,except for a few minor things esthetically. My ERA actually handles a bit better than my original Peter makes a Very Authenic Cobra . Thanks for replying ! Enjoy Your Ride 😊 Walter~

[@CrackedCandy]

If Carroll touched it, it's a Shelby. 'nuff said.

[@richardschipper5989]

Nope, if Carroll got paid, it was a Shelby

[@JamesSmith-op7yc]

Who builds the best Cobra replica? People like me and you.

[@ETHAN-xk8hg]

first

[@LGB-FJB]

Congrats on fulfilling your life's dream.

[@OddTimeMan]

Why. Do. You. Talk. Like. Aye. Robot. ?

[@barenekid9695]

Often pretty but most all these DIy things are Overdone caricatures /circus cars. Driven by geriatrics who are content to be seen puttering about, posing in the things Briefly.. before moving to the rest home.

[@Guest-at-the-Asylum]

Can't afford one, eh?

[@itsruf1]

Observation: Shady? Look at the owners shady hawaiian shirts. None of them has taste. I've never seen a woman in a kit car.

[@caribman10]

Fake Cobras are tedious, period. Shelby should have stepped on these cockroaches when he could have made a buck off these wannabees.And fiberglass "Cobras" are even worse.

[@texastootin1628]

It’s like a more powerful, less fun Miata. These things are deathtraps

[@geraldscott4302]

Real Shelby Cobras and faithful replicas have 15" wheels and real tires. The "woke" versions come with huge GHETTO REEHUUMS wrapped with tread, but no actual tires. Maybe they are trying to compete with Bud Light.

[@gymshoe8862]

I agree--I enjoy looking at kit cars and seeing all the junky cliche's they tack on--two roll bars is my favorite flaw. 20-inch ghetto rims are another. Painting em ghastly colors is another--massively powerful motors is another! Everyone wants to live out his fantasy with a fake Cobra.

[@razztastic]

Has anybody ever made a Cooper Monaco replica? I've drawn up a car of my own using it's body as a reference.

[@theprofessorfate6184]

Alway knew Shelby was a POS

[@RDA8191]

I own a replica and couldn't care less that its not original. The car is better than an original. Its hilarious to think im going to care what some turd who can't afford one of the replicas has to say. 😅😅 Jealousy isnt a good look

[@Paul-it1oz]

Who the hell cares. Enjoy it no matter what it is. Love being a snob then be one. Many would love to have a Shelby but original or continuation series THEY ARE EXPENSIVE.!!!!!

[@culbycars]

I agree with you for sure mine is REAL to me in every way it REALLY loves fuel it will REALLY burn you getting out of it and it's REALLY quick when you want it to be I don't give 2 shucks what some millionaire has parked in there garage me and mine will be piling on happy miles.

[@Mfd150]

who didn't fuckn know this, bet most people still cant afford it

[@keefardin612]

ORRRRRR, KOBRA CLASSIC CARS HAS A Z3 BASED KIT SELF BUILD 5 GRAND INCLUDING A GOOD Z3 BMW CAR COMPLETE TURN KEY AND DRIVE AWAY £10,000, NICE KIT , NICE PEOPLE BASINGSTOKE UK

[@777ChildofGod]

Connamanarndo!

[@texastootin1628]

It’s like a more powerful, less fun Miata. These things are deathtraps

[@vel87x]

If you can't handle one just say so. Nobody will judge you.

[@65Cobra]

I have driven a miata, and I own a Cobra. There is no way anyone could describe the Cobra as "Less Fun!"

[@Guest-at-the-Asylum]

If all you can afford is a Miata, that's okay.