It would have been great to have had a lot of disposable income back in the 1960s and 70s, to be able to buy some classic metal that would have been a hoot to drive and unlike anything else on the road. A Ferrari 250 GTO, an original 1968 Porsche 911, or even a road-going Ford GT40. However, one car which would have particularly piqued my interest would have been the Shelby Cobra – taking the humdrum Healey and putting it on steroids. However, the real thing is now out of the budgets of most of us now, so the replica world has stepped in and there are now a plethora of options for picking up a Shelby Cobra at a much more affordable price. That brings us to today’s warehouse find, the Shell Valley Shelby Cobra here on eBay, with 3 days left and bids at just over $35,000, with the car located in Trenton, New Jersey.
We all know about the classic Shelby Cobra, but what we know less about is the replica manufacturers who also created kits. This particular one was created by Shell Valley, out of Nebraska which continues to sell these kits today. The good news is that new parts should be readily available from Shell Valley, and would be willing to answer any questions about how it was built. Now our car is said to have been professionally built by a racing mechanic, but with any home-built car, it’s always worth having a look around the car beforehand to inspect the quality of the build.
On to the car itself – it is actually 30 years old and has been stored for the past 3 years. It has 19,000 miles on it so was not driven regularly, and will need a quick revitalizing before getting back on the road. Our fiberglass body is in a very attractive grey color, with no crazing or cracking of the paintwork, but may be hiding some small blisters – any fiberglass of this age will have some minor defects through use. Under the hood, we have a Ford 390 from 1969 giving it an authentic 60s rumble. It also has some good quality components with an Aluminium NASCAR radiator and Centerforce clutch.
This clean Cobra is in remarkably good condition for its age, and the interior is also a testament to this. Although some people look down on replicas, it’s a great way to get into the car of your dreams for a lot less money. It also allows you to daily drive it, rather than the originals which will mostly sit in museums or private car collections, and not be worried about dings or dents or having adventures across the country in it. So if you were the winning bidder, where would you take this Cobra for an adventure?
C’mon Elliot. Please do your research. The Cobra was not based on a Healey, it was based on the AC Ace.
I’ve seen a number of these registered as “1965” vehicles.
I don’t see how DMV would ever allow that,as they ARE NOT.
I think a lot were registered by their engine/drivetrain year which made emmissions testing a lot easier
I don’t know about other states but in Arizona where I live you can register a kit or replica etc. as what it looks like. I have a Kellison J5 registered as a 1965, had a 1934 Heritage kit full size replica of a Mercedes 500K. The cops had some idea of what to look for instead of 19**? Composite motor vehicle. as I had in 60’s and 70’s Connecticut. In niether case did it matter what engine it had.
I went through this with mine. I had to source a 1965 Engine and the car was then registered as such. Otherwise, NJ was going to make me register with the later-model Fuel Injected engine. So, they prefer an old engine with a carb to a new engine with FI. To register with the newer, it would have to pass emissions and safety for that model year….air bags, impact bumpers etc…it’s just a bizarre NJ thing for classic vehicles.
You can’t do that in Corruptifornia anymore. They were losing way too much money allowing that. Now kit cars have to meet all of the requirements, including smog, as a brand new Suburban.
I have a 1965 Superformance Cobra that is registered as a 1965 Cobra, had it built in 1999 still have it with 4,000 original miles titled as a 65 cobra no kit car no replica on title. Don’t know how they did it? Don’t know how it happened? And I didn’t ask questions.
What do I have that I could sell to buy this. Hmmmm. It looks like a very well sorted out car with plenty of miles to show its roadworthy. My wife has always wanted one of these, a driver like this could be enjoyed for a couple of years and resold. If it were just a bit closer, and I were 10 years younger. You couldn’t build this for anywhere close to the price. I really like it and can only imagine the rush from standing on the loud pedal.
this looks like a nice one…..wish I was in a position to pick this up, always been a fan of the kit cars that best emulate the real thing.
A Cobra/356 and 550 Porsche are all good in my book
I had a Shell Valley Cobra with a 302, T5 trans, and Jag IRS. It was an absolute hoot to drive and felt very solid (2×4 steel tube frame). Took a bit of sorting out but wound up a very reliable car.
So it is a 390 but just says 427, not bad if it stays below $40k.
That coil wire looks a bit vulnerable. I’d reroute it or swap it for a shorter one.
I have no problem with Kit Cars. However it is sinful to put 427 badges on a 390. Who ever did that should be ashamed.
“very attractive grey color” Impossible!!!!!
I see at least 50 shades of gray vehicles at the local new car dealers every day and twice that number in the local Wally World parking lot. Have yet to see a very attractive one. I can only surmise you were born in Seattle or Portland, oh mom, can I please go out and play it is such a beautiful gray overcast and dreary day!
Nice Car
Nice looking snake. Not sure about the 390 dressed as a 427. Performance wise the two engines are miles apart!
I have a NAF cobra that has a 428 that was blown. I have a fresh 427 side oiler sitting on the stand for the cobra. If its worth doing, its worth doing right!!
I’d sell mine for that money.
Remember that this is a replica. A 390 looks real close to a 427 side oiler, and with today’s readily available performance parts, can be easily built to run circles around an original-spec 427so, more reliably and for 1/3 the cost.
yep, both are FE blocks ……and usually that badging is because of the body style, as in 289 Cobras or the wide hipped 427 body, but who knows…….