1964 Shelby Cobra FIA Racer

Overview

Le Mans-winning and Championship driver Carroll Shelby retired from racing due to a heart ailment to build sports cars. Moving onto his next career, he dreamed of mating a reliable, powerful American V8 engine to a light, nimble European chassis.

He forged a relationship with Ford Motor Company and built a team of hot rodders who created performance magic. Shelby sourced the Ace sports car from AC in England and partnered with Ford Motor Company to use its new small block motor. Attracting talented individuals from California’s aerospace and hot-rod community, along with tapping resources of Ford, he founded Shelby American.

His team of Southern California hot-rodders created one of the most iconic streetcars and successful racecar programs of all time, the Cobra. The Cobra changed the sports car world, winning hearts and earning a world FIA Championship – the only American manufacturer ever to do so.

Today, Legendary G.T. offers Continuation versions of the entire family of Cobras. Built as rollers to spec, these Shelby’s are as authentic as the originals. From the 289 variants like the “street car” roadster and FIA racecars, to the big block 427 S/C models, Legendary G.T. is the place to find the genuine Shelby American Continuation Cobra of your dreams.

“The reason I moved to California the first time was to build the Cobra. I thought it was stupid to have a 1918 taxicab engine in what Europeans like to call a performance car when a little American V8 could do the job better.”

-Carroll Shelby