1965 Shelby Cobra Replica

1965 Ford Cobra by Everett-Morrison (replica of 1965 Shelby Cobra 427SC)

Everett-Morrison was one of the premier early builders of replicas of the Shelby Cobra sports cars.  Their earlier cars, of which this is one, were known for their very stiff round tube frames and strong, heavy fiberglass bodies.  They could be fitted with any of several types of suspensions and power trains.  This particular car was ordered expressly for use as a race car in SCCA racing events in Texas.  Consequently it was ordered with C4 Corvette suspension front and rear and a special light-weight body. Set up for the track with the driver and a half tank of fuel on board, the car weighs about 2,500 pounds.

The shop that professionally built this car also built several other Everett-Morrison cars. It was raced for about five years before being sold the first time. The car was retired from racing and minimally converted for street use by cutting out the full roll cage it once required. It now has a full width roll bar.

During that time the car was rebuilt with a more powerful engine and other features to make it better suited for both street and track use. It was still used for Track Day type events after it was retired from professional racing. It has seen speeds as high as 140 MPH on tracks such as Roebling Road, Talladega Gran Prix and the road course at Daytona Dragway.

Over the last few years the car has been used primarily for local cruise-ins, autocrosses, and Cobra rally events.

In early 2017 the car got a refreshed full body paint and new Corvette wheels. The mechanicals were all inspected, adjusted and/or replaced. Since then it’s been in storage.

The 410 cubic inch engine in the car is based on the Ford 351 Windsor engine.  It is backed by a Richmond 5-speed (overdrive) transmission coupled to the Corvette limited slip differential.  Theoretical top speed at 6,000 RPM is 150 MPH.

The engine includes the following components:

• Vintage Ford Windsor block
• Speed-o-Motive Hi-Nodular cast stroker crank
• Forged connecting rods
• Forged dish top pistons (approximate static compression ratio – 10:1)
• Comp Cams hydraulic roller cam optimized for high torque 2500-6000 RPM.
• Hydraulic roller lifters
• Roller rockers
• High volume oil pump
• Racing style oil pan
• Edelbrock Victor Jr. aluminum heads
• Aluminum Intake manifold
• Modified Holley racing carburetor w/o choke tower
• K&N Filter Top Air Cleaner
• MSD ignition with chip based RPM limiter
• Summit Racing distributor
• Gilmer belt driven water pump, alternator and power steering pump

Other features include:

• Oil and water catch cans
• Remote oil cooler
• Corvette power rack and pinion steering
• Remote power steering fluid cooler
• Electric fan
• Accusump (stores oil reservoir under pressure for startup and in case oil pressure drops during hard maneuvering)
• Easy access brake fluid reservoirs
• Fuel cell
• Five point racing harnesses
• Removable steering wheel
• Special electrical switches with built-in circuit breakers for race use
• Fiberglass mono springs front and rear
• QA1 adjustable shock absorbers
• Cockpit adjustable brake bias
• New Corvette Wheels
• New Full Body Paint

This Cobra has an official appraised value of almost $60,000 and is one of the most fun, good looking raw power cars you can drive.  See this consignment car on display in the museum.  For more information email info@milesthroughtime.com or 706-886-0721.  The museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday 10 to 4 or by appointment.