1965 Shelby Daytona Factory Five Type 65 Coupe

Description

The odds are high that none of us will ever have the opportunity to own a real Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe. Only six were ever made by Carroll Shelby – all of which are accounted for inside prestigious collections – and the car was recently chosen for historical preservation as a significant vehicle in the history of auto racing, ostensibly making it untouchable. It would almost be easier to purchase the Lincoln Monument, and even if you got that far it would take all the gold in Fort Knox to make a competitive bid on one of the six original "CSX" cars (hyperbole aside, they're valued at $8-10 million dollars). Starting in 2015, a limited number of 'continuation' Daytonas were produced by Shelby, but those are also incredibly rare and the few that do change hands command low-seven figures. So, what's a connoisseur like you to do? It's easy, you make the wise decision to purchase the next best thing, a faithful replica like this stunning First Generation 1965 Shelby Daytona Type 65 Coupe by Factory Five.

The FFR replica version is modified a bit from the original Pete Brock design that was exclusively developed for the track, but it's a faithful tribute. Compromises had to be made to accommodate them to the street, and FFR fixed the ergonomic issues of the original Daytona. The basic design elements remain, including tall, tubular frame rails, the long hood that allows the engine to be mounted behind the front axle centerline, the aerodynamic body, unique dual-side pipes, plexi-glass sliding windows and air scoops, and the chopped-off, wedge-style rear end that is the defining portion of this legendary car. It's one of the most unique and stunning shapes in motoring history, and FFR makes a very high-quality replica that pays homage to the original in a big way. The body fits together extremely well, the panels are aligned evenly, and the fiberglass is a high-quality vinylester resin that feels very substantial stretched over the custom chassis/bird cage superstructure underneath. Even the CNC-cut, pre-formed aluminum portions of the car – floors, trans cover, footboxes, rear trunk area, engine bay – still look relatively new and blend in seamlessly with the rest of the build. Guardsman Blue and White shouldn't be a surprising combination to anyone familiar with Shelby, and the LeMans-style stripes and large '98' markings were painted on (although the racing ads are decals), so the entire presentation is smooth and uniform. It's obvious this sportscar hasn't been driven much since it was finished approximately 15 years ago (we suspect the 2,510 odometer reading is 'since built'), and it shows incredibly well today. Paint protection film was installed on the front nose, so you won't see the usual chips and scratches picked up from the road/track, and even though it was never meant to be a trailer queen, it's certainly nice enough to show as a top driver-quality example.

The original Daytona Coupes were strictly business inside, constructed for the sole purpose of shedding weight. In fact, many FFR builds followed suite and are rather barren inside, with exposed aluminum on the floors, footboxes, and transmission cover, but thankfully this Type 65 is different. The person that ordered this beauty wanted to be comfortable and ordered the car with luxuries typically reserved for Cobra replicas. That includes comfortable yet firm vinyl buckets, thick black carpeting and matching floormats, an upholstered and padded dash, a matching center console, taut headliner, and a fully carpeted rear trunk area. One can really stretch out and get comfortable inside, and the sporty interior shows very little wear. Even with those upgrades the cabin is still about the business of shedding weight and going FAST, exemplified by the simple door panels with their carbon-fiber inserts and leather-strap hinges, the full roll-cage, and Simpson race harnesses. A Cobra-style wood-rimmed steering wheel sets a sporty tone at the helm, and it has the perfect dance partner to the forward-canted 5-speed shifter, while a full complement of AutoMeter gauges keep an eye on the engine's vitals. Carbon fiber accents on the center console are a nice touch, and the addition of a full Vintage Air A/C system, a GoPro mounted to the roll bar (to record track days), and a 12-volt outlet transform this Daytona into a bonafide touring car.

FFR builds will accept just about any engine you can imagine, but the one everyone expects to see in a Daytona is a Ford V8. This particular cackling beast is a 302 cubic inch stroker motor, built by pros with juicy parts like a big Holley QuickFuel 4-barrel carburetor, an aluminum intake, long-tube headers, and an HEI ignition. The small block is powerful in just about any application, but inside something as light as this fiberglass/aluminum creation it's downright scary how responsive and FAST it truly is, and with a chrome air cleaner and finned Cobra valve covers, it looks fairly authentic under the forward-tilting hood. A modern alternator cranks the small block instantly, it breathes through the long-tube headers and cackling side-exhaust, and an aluminum radiator keeps the car cool no matter how hard you run it. FFR's tube chassis is super-rigid and offers upgrades like an A-arm front suspension with coilovers, rack-and-pinion steering, and a 3-link rear end with coilovers hanging on a 8.8 rear end with a heavy-duty TA Performance differential cover. There are also 4-wheel disc brakes at each corner, and it's postured on gorgeous 15-inch Centerlock wheels with spinners and safety wiring, wrapped in staggered 235/60/15 front and 295/50/15 Cooper Cobra radials.

The 'Real McCoy' Daytonas will likely never be sold again, and the continuation cars are rare and practically out of reach as well. This fine Factory Five example is a wonderful tribute that gets everything right, with upgrades that take it to another level. Call now!