This is a street-version of the 1964 Shelby FIA 289 Cobra model. As Carroll Shelby produced only (5) original FIA 289 racing Cobras, this FIA 289 bodied replica is considered a RARE example. As the original 5 FIA and some 30/ 32 USRRC and SCCA racing version(s) were no doubt the variant models that earned Carroll Shelby and his Shelby American Cobra operation its historic Shelby Cobra credibility. The racing versions were the Cobras that created the need and want for Carroll Shelby's street-version 260 and 289 Cobras. This particular FIA replica was created to be more like those modified Cobras that were sold by Shelby himself in the LA area. As many Shelby Cobra enthusiasts were not satisfied with the stock 289 slab side version and its 271HP, they wanted their 289 Cobra (and some 260 Cobras) modified a bit and far more potent to mimic the 289 racing versions. So, many Cobras were taken back to Shelby American for body mods and added engine power increase and Carroll Shelby happily abided. Thus, adding to the popularity of the fierce and justified reputation of the near-exotic (Aluminum) light-bodied Shelby sports car apply named the Shelby Cobra. The street version Shelby AC Cobras that had more power and a more robust and muscular looking body. The FIA Cobra offered here replicates those modified Cobras and that were obviously the precursor to the 427 Cobras. The 427 and 427 S/ C Shelby Cobras with the massive, expanded body and bigger V/ 8 mills and that delivered near 500 horsepower. The Shelby 427 Cobra was for many years rated the fastest production car ever produced. But also, a beast to maneuver and to handle. Far too much for most drivers, even today's replica 427 Cobras are far more challenging than even their owners want to admit. And why I believe these FIA and slab side small block Cobras are far more fun, far more enjoyable to drive (considering their power to weight transfer) than the 427 Cobras. As the smaller bodied FIA and 289 slab side Cobras seem to be the perfect combination for a high-performance sports car. And the great looks of the FIA Cobra with its perfectly sized muscular flared fenders and the (original-retained) downturned snout of the 260/ 289 Cobra... what could be better? 

Its stunning deep silver livery with the blood red stripes is a Unique Motor Cars of Alabama, USA body and chassis and was built about 14 years ago BUT not completely finished and it sat for the most part in a garage-barn for 12/ 13 years. I purchased the car with less than 1, 500 miles on its ODO to restore finish and re-create its modified 289 Cobra look, as it needed a near complete restoration. As many of its components needed to be completely replaced. There is a complete detailed Ad for this Cobra on the Dupont Registry site under Cobras for sale, it's a lengthy story but important to the car. It also includes more pictures of its components and its construction. Carroll Shelby in the day often made the comment, enough is never enough pertaining to horsepower. But I believe his 289 street Cobras and his 289 racing Cobras were really the thing that made his Cobra famous, if you research Shelby's historic Cobra background. I believe his real love were his small block Cobras. He kept his first original 260 later to have a 289 put in it, and he kept that Blue 289 Cobra throughout his life.

As no 427 Cobras were ever raced under the Shelby American banner (but some were) by private owned teams. As Shelby American found the 427 Cobra was to be to front end heavy unlike his 289 Cobras. No matter how much they altered, massaged and re-engineered its frame/ chassis including its body the 427 Cobra was never going to match the 289 for its winning ability on the racetrack. As the Ford small block 289 with 350/ 385BHP Cobra provided a far better all-around street-able and racing machine, giving way to a far better power to weight transfer and why the 289 Cobras were so successful. For me, as a Carroll Shelby fan, his 289 and FIA small block Cobras are the best European/ American sports cars ever created. The story/ ad on the Dupont Registry site tells of my personal association with Carroll Shelby. I have returned to the automotive scene to build some more ROKSTOCK Capri cars and a few replica Shelby Cobras. My automotive background (Google ROKSTOCK Capri) was heavily inspired by Carroll Shelby, his iconic Cobras and his 65-67 GT350 Mustangs amazing history. My ROKSTOCK RSR turbo Capri II's were often compared to Carroll Shelby's 65/ 66 street version GT350 Mustangs by many automotive magazine engineering editors in the 1970's. As a result, I got to meet him once in person but also spoke by phone several times about the two cars. It was an honor indeed. And why I finished this Cobra to honor Carroll Shelby for his modified street version 289's. For most people today, an original Shelby Cobra is out of site. The few individuals that bought them 15/ 20/ 25 years ago are now sitting in the cat-bird seat for sure. Unless your wealthy beyond the norm, the Shelby Cobra originals are untouchable for most of us. And if you're a real Shelby Cobra fan, you know there were only 998 original Shelby Cobras created and produced in the 1960's. And most will probably disagree with me on this, but even the newer "Continuation Series CSX numbered Cobras" in my book ARE replicated forms of those original and historic Cobras. And yes, I know that Shelby started up producing newly built CSX numbered Cobras just a few years back and even had Superformance a Shelby dealer build CSX numbered Cobras. Far more expensive and far more advanced for their components, engines, chassis/ frames and to include far better bodies out of Aluminum and fiberglass. Replicas of the original 998. And just WHY the Cobra originals are in the Million Dollar category. But good Cobra replicas are the answer for most of like I said, even those new CSX numbered versions. And now the 427 bodied Cobra replicas ARE plentiful and also very affordable. But also, affordable are the 289 versions like the one offered here. But also, they are far and few between in comparison to the replica 427 Cobras. This Cobra was valued and originally offered at $125K USD. It is a rare 289 Cobra. And an increasing by the minute fact: you could not build this particular Cobra today as it sits for much less than a hundred grand. And then factor in your time, trust me, it's an expensive proposition any way you cut it. And I know that many look at these replica Cobras as potential hobby builds. But they ARE indeed an expensive proposition.

This replica FIA Cobra is near NEW for the most part for everything as only 2, 000 miles are registered on its ODO. Many of its components ARE brand new because it sat far too long, hardly ever driven. Its final assembly and recreation that came to be a near full restoration have produced what you see here; Carroll Shelby's 289 FIA Competition bodied Cobra but built as a street machine. But as an afterthought for some, one could do a color change to Viking Blue, add the famous Jim Inglese Cobra intake manifold and 4 downdraft 48 Weber carbs, the proper decals, diagonal hood team stripe and the white roundels/ meatballs and one would have the looks of the great FIA 289 Shelby Racing Cobra. As it already has the proper FIA body and the Trigo/ Halibrand 6 pin cast wheels and huge sticky 15'' 295 and 265 Dunlop's, even the under-body exhaust side exhaust. I also thought of finishing this replica Cobra as the racing FIA version. But I also believe as it sits, its look, that I created it to give its owner a bit more of a subtle driving experience as a 289 Shelby Cobra roadster vs the full-on race car look of a full-on FIA Cobra and that opens up the greater possibilities for attracting the local law enforcement. It IS a Shelby Cobra sport car and they do indeed attract more attention than you would imagine, so beware.

In nicer climates this Cobra makes for a great daily driver, but also for its ownership value, as an FIA 289 bodied Cobra. The downturned smaller 289's Cobra snout and smaller body of the 289 FIA Cobra gives this replica the more authentic look of one of Carroll Shelby's original snakes. And a rare replica Cobra that is appreciating in value as you read this because only about 10-12 out of 100 replica Cobras built and offered for sale today are of Shelby's 289 FIA and 289 slab side body design. If you want a great Cobra and want one closer to one of Shelby's original first-generation AC Cobras, this is it and at a fraction of the cost of an original 289 Shelby Cobra. If you read the complete ad on the Dupont Registry website, you might agree with me for its value as a FIA Shelby AC Cobra replica and a more authentic Cobra, more in line to Carroll Shelby's great plan of giving the world a sports car that looked the European-design part but had the American spirit of a high-powered V/ 8. As a result, Carroll Shelby gave the world one of the most incredible sporting automobiles ever conceived ever created.

It is no doubt a unique example and unquestionably expensive for some. But as a Carroll Shelby Cobra enthusiast, and after looking over the many replicated forms and offers of them today this 1964 replica FIA Cobra with its 289 MKII body is just different enough and well-built to earn its USD dollar value. It's not for just anybody wanting a Cobra, it's for one that wants the more original concept and design of Shelby's first generation of the Cobra.
As you can see, this Cobra comes with two sets of bumpers, the Quick Jack racing units and the classic chrome bumperettes as their called. A new Cover craft silver-lite car cover and of course copies of all receipts of its build/ history.

PRICED NOW at: $110, 000 USD and FOB United States of America