In 1962, Carroll Shelby created Shelby American and started to build his own race cars with his name on the badge. The Shelby Cobra was first fitted with Ford 260 cubic-inch V-8 engines then later the more popular 289 cubic-inch V-8 engines. In coupe or roadster form, the Cobra was such a success in North America, winning races from coast to coast.
The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe with chassis #CSX2299 took the historic victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1964, and in 1965 Shelby won the World Manufacturers’ GT Championship, ending the reign of the legendary Ferrari GTO. Carroll Shelby was also the only person to win Le Mans as a driver, team owner and manufacturer and Shelby American is the only American vehicle manufacturer to win the prestigious championship.
Fast forward to 2022, high performance custom car builder Classic Recreations just announced that it will be building 10 units of an authentic and officially licensed 1965 CSX Shelby Cobra race car in carbon fiber. These all-new Shelby Cobra race cars, dubbed the “Diamond Edition” will be created in honor of Shelby American’s 60th anniversary. Shelby Licensing has granted ten unique CSX serial numbers from CSX4521 through CSX4530, identified with a specially designed custom diamond encrusted badge and Carroll Shelby’s commemorative signature on the dashboard and will be sold as a completed race car.
“What Classic Recreations has achieved with their carbon fiber program is the continuation of a dream Carroll Shelby himself envisioned for the future,” said Shelby American President Gary Patterson. Similar sentiments were expressed by Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc. Neil Cummings, saying “Classic Recreation’s has been a licensee of Carroll Shelby Licensing for over 15 years and each year they continue to innovate and push the envelope just like Carroll did himself.”
The specially designed Cobra body has been completely engineered in autoclave-cured carbon fiber including the floor and doors, and just weigh a mere 88 pounds. According to Classic Recreations, this highly innovative design meets the performance standards with a custom designed, geometrically correct chassis and suspension designed by Jason Engel, the founder and Vice President of Design and Engineering of Classic Recreations. It is an extremely lightweight body with a very high power-to-weight ratio.
“Carroll Shelby taught me the significance of pushing the envelope through innovation and passion,” said Jason Engel. “A dream of Carroll’s was always to place the highest horsepower engine possible in the lightest, most agile car imaginable and it is our honor to have met that challenge.”
The new Shelby Cobra race car is fitted with a Ford Performance Gen 3 Coyote engine, producing over 800 horsepower if fitted with the optional VMP Supercharger. It also has an independent rear suspension, a T56 Magnum Tremec 6-speed manual transmission and Wilwood 6-piston brakes to make sure it has the right stopping power and having the ultimate driving engagement. The chassis was designed without a tubular chassis and was built for strength and rigidity that rivals modern supercars in weight and horsepower. The car was designed and will be built to handle like a modern race car. This car in its complete form will have a price tag of $1.2 million dollars.
