Want a new Shelby Cobra? Well Shelby American
doesn't make them anymore – but Superformance does, with the original factory's
blessing, under the name Shelby Legendary Cars. And it's unveiling a new
special edition in tribute to Bob Bondurant.
Though known, at least as well for the
racing school that bears his name as for his own racing career, Bondurant was
among the most accomplished of Shelby drivers. He won America's first and only
FIA GT title in a Shelby Cobra – specifically chassis CSX2345 – and it's that
roadster which Superformance is replicating with this limited run.
The tribute Cobra features the same frame
configuration as 2345, the same suspension setup, raked windscreen, diagonal
roll bar, even the driver's knee pad and high-beam switch. It comes as a
kit-car, ready to receive its engine and transmission, but is otherwise all set
to go.
Buyers can choose between fiberglass or aluminum
bodywork, replicating either the way the car was set up for Spa in 1964 or the
Rossfeld Mountain Hill Climb in '65. There's a Daytona coupe version available
as well, replicating Bondurant's CSX2601, with aluminum bodywork in either
1964's Viking or 1965's Guardsman blue.
Only 50 examples will be offered, each made to order,
following their unveiling this week at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale. That
level of attention to detail doesn't come cheap, though: prices start at US$ 149,995 for the fiberglass roadster, climb to US$ 249,995 for the aluminum
version, to US$ 289,995 for an FIA-spec track version, and all the way up to US$ 394,995 for the Daytona Coupe.
Factor into that the included day of training at the
Bondurant Racing School in Arizona, if it makes the pill any easier to swallow
– or the beast any easier to tame.
