Highlights

The Appeal

The Shelby Daytona Coupé occupies an almost mythical place in motorsport history. Developed from Carroll Shelby’s Cobra roadster and engineered to challenge Ferrari’s dominant 250 GTO in GT competition, it proved remarkably successful despite only six original examples being built. Victories included class wins at the 1964 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Le Mans and RAC Tourist Trophy, while the model ultimately secured the 1965 International Championship for GT Manufacturers. Today, it is rightly regarded as one of the most important American racing cars ever produced.

With original Daytonas now commanding values measured in the millions of dollars, faithful recreations have become the closest many enthusiasts will come to experiencing one of motorsport’s great icons. Among the most respected is the Type 65 Coupe from Massachusetts-based Factory Five Racing, the world’s largest manufacturer of self-assembly component car kits.

This example was built by the seller’s husband over a two-year period and is clearly the product of considerable care and attention to detail. Unlike many replica and kit cars where modern components can sometimes detract from their period charm, this build has been executed with remarkable authenticity. From its silver-on-black registration plates to its carefully chosen exterior details, it captures the spirit and appearance of the original competition cars with impressive conviction.

Beneath the evocative bodywork lies a range of modern mechanical components, including Koni suspension, a Tremec gearbox and a Mustang-sourced differential and braking system, helping to combine classic looks with contemporary usability and reliability.

Accompanied by a clean MOT until May 2027 and reportedly benefitting from ULEZ compliance, it is a car that can be enjoyed regularly rather than merely admired. As the seller puts it, “driving the Coupe is like stepping back in time; the unmistakable smell of a ’60s Le Mans race car, coupled with the raw power, noise and vibration, make the Daytona an unforgettable driving experience”.

Whether destined for classic car gatherings, spirited drives on favourite roads or longer journeys to events such as Le Mans Classic, this Type 65 Coupe promises a driving experience that is every bit as memorable as its appearance.

History and Paperwork

The Condition

Specification

This Factory Five Type 65 Daytona Coupe is finished in hand-laid 3/16-inch laminate composite bodywork painted in Viking Blue with white racing stripes, roundels, and sponsor decals, capturing the appearance of the original competition cars. It features period-style silver-on-black registration plates, an Aston Le Mans-style polished aluminium fuel filler with internal cap, and rides on a jig-welded, satin-black powder-coated tube-frame chassis with a 95-inch wheelbase, integrated roll cage, and SCCA-style rear cross bar. The cabin is trimmed in black leather and equipped with Smiths gauges, classic instrumentation, TRS black harness belts, Wilwood pedals, and VintageAir air conditioning for added comfort. Completing the package are 17-inch Hallibrand-style wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompson tyres and a Thatcham-approved anti-theft system.

The Mechanics

Power comes from a 5.7-litre Ford 351W V8 engine equipped with Edelbrock RPM Performer high-flow cylinder heads, a black Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, a 600 CFM four-barrel carburettor with electric choke, and a Comp Cams camshaft. The engine has been dyno-tested at 380bhp, with further tuning potential noted by the vendor, and is paired with a Tremec TKO-600 five-speed manual transmission rated to handle up to 600lb-ft of torque. Performance is enhanced by Factory Five ceramic-coated straight-pipe headers feeding white ceramic-coated side-exit exhausts, while braking is provided by Ford Mustang GT 11-inch discs with twin-piston PBR aluminium callipers. The chassis is supported by an advanced suspension setup featuring unequal-length front control arms, Factory Five forged steel spindles, Koni coil-over dampers, and fully adjustable suspension components front and rear. At the rear, a Factory Five independent suspension system incorporates a 2015 Mustang limited-slip differential, Koni coil-over shocks, and 350lb powder-coated springs, delivering a blend of sharp handling and classic muscle-car performance.