Classic Recreations Introduces 1965 Carbon Fiber CSX Shelby Cobra
Classic Recreations, a builder of high-performance custom vehicles, including Shelby GT500CR continuation cars, has announced its latest offering- an authentic, officially licensed 1965 carbon fiber bodied CSX Shelby Cobra race car.
The full carbon fiber body follows the 1967 carbon fiber bodied GT500CR Mustang which was released in early 2021. Only 10 of the new Shelby Cobra race cars, dubbed the “Diamond Edition” in honor of Shelby American’s 60th anniversary, will be produced. Granted unique CSX serial numbering, CSX4521 through CSX4530, by Shelby Licensing, each will feature a specially designed custom diamond encrusted badge and Carroll Shelby’s commemorative signature on the dashboard and be sold as a completed race car.
“What Classic Recreations has achieved with their carbon fiber program is the continuation of a dream Carroll Shelby himself envisioned for the future,” said Shelby American President Gary Patterson. Similar sentiments were expressed by Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc. Neil Cummings, saying “Classic Recreations has been a licensee of Carroll Shelby Licensing for over 15 years and each year they continue to innovate and push the envelope just like Carroll did himself.”
The Cobra body has been completely engineered in autoclave-cured carbon fiber including the floor and doors, capping its body weight at 88 lbs. The carbon fiber body is paired with a custom-designed, geometrically correct chassis and suspension designed by Jason Engel, founder and vice president of design and engineering of Classic Recreations. The Cobra also offers an extended cabin for extra legroom to further enhance the driver experience.
“Carroll Shelby taught me the significance of pushing the envelope through innovation and passion,” said Jason Engel. “A dream of Carroll’s was always to place the highest horsepower engine possible in the lightest, most agile car imaginable and it is our honor to have met that challenge.”
The Cobra will be built and assembled by a team of designers and technicians under a new division of Classic Recreations, focused solely on research and development. The new Shelby Cobra race car is engineered to mate with a Ford Performance Gen 3 Coyote engine, producing over 800 horsepower when combined with the optional VMP Supercharger. The vehicle features independent rear suspension, a T56 Magnum Tremec transmission and Wilwood 6 piston brakes, front and rear. Designed without a tubular chassis on purpose, the team wanted to ensure the Cobra was built for strength and could rival current supercars in weight and horsepower, the company said. Built to handle like a modern vehicle, the “Diamond Edition” carbon fiber Cobra Race Car will be produced entirely in the United States and will be sold for $1.2 million dollars.
