1966 Factory Five Manual

No doubt its curb appeal is off the charts, but this 1966 Shelby Cobra Factory Five is more than a sharply dressed attention magnet. It's well-configured for dependable power and inspired driving in real world situations, and in an industry where the quality of the foundation plays a huge part in the finished result, it features the manufacturing handiwork of one of the most respected names in its industry. Truthfully, a Cobra replica is by its very nature going to be starting life well ahead of the norm as far as timeless looks are concerned. It offers a visual experience that's both nostalgia inducing and almost exotic at the same time - you can't help but look at one and just imagine how its low slung form, broad track and outstanding power to weight ratio combine to make it an absolute blast to drive. Clad in a fetching shade of bright red you can't help but stare at, this Factory Five product takes that appeal even further. The paint looks particularly strong, with nice even coloring and a strong shine to indicate that this street machine has been spared exposure to the elements and has been well looked after. The broad white stripes running the length of the car provide a great, vintage-correct touch and they're no decals; rather, they are painted on with plenty of precision and show nice sharp edges. The chrome exterior fittings on display here - from the compact bumpers and light casings in both front and back, to the very clean-looking side pipes and well-prepped roll cage - are all in great shape. The black vinyl interior has reaped the rewards of this car's light usage - it's only logged 3,493 miles in its lifetime, after all. As such, you won't find many signs of wear on the surfaces of the low-backed bucket seats, and the black carpeting lining the floor and transmission tunnel looks just as fresh now as it did when first applied. Climb behind the wheel and you're likely to notice that there's a surprising amount of space on hand inside - the driver's seat features quite a bit of adjustability, so even taller drivers aren't likely to have any problems getting comfortable. A very fetching woodgrain steering wheel with its proper Cobra-badged center sits waiting to be grasped, while just in front of it, the dash area is well-equipped with a full assortment of AutoMeter gauges. The trunk area in back is in top form - it's protected by a fresh-looking rubber seal under the deck lid that's done its job well, judging from just how clean the trunk floor is, and the battery cutoff switch sits within easy reach. The fuel-injected 5.0 liter V8 sitting under the hood is nicely detailed and fits as if it belongs. The powerplant is known for its anvil-like durability - it's no coincidence that there are thousands of them out there still powering vintage Fords and other modification projects - and teams with a 5-speed manual transmission to make this car ideally suited for frequent driving. In contrast to many of its counterparts, this Cobra replica also features power steering - a feature that really comes in handy when negotiating tight spaces. A well-tuned coilover suspension provides outstanding handling ability - none other than renowned race driver Dick Smith referred to the Factory Five Shelby as "one of the best handling cars (he's) ever driven" - while disc brakes at all four corners offer fade resistant stops as this very capable and well-equipped ride prowls the asphalt on its 15" Halibrand wheels outfitted with BF Goodrich T/A radials. In a car segment where craftsmanship and component quality are of paramount importance, this 1966 Shelby Cobra Factory Five offers both in abundance. Call today!