Cobra is very rare Shelby craftsman Brad Hornbaker built GT350 R replica of Shelby’s favorite GT350 R car, the Essex Wire sponsored car SFM5R098 that Shelby drove in an Exhibition Race at Lime Rock Park in 1992.
The Essex Wire sponsored car is the only R car to wear black Le Mans stripes bordered in orange.
Cobra’s donor car is a pristine 1965 GT 2+2 with Special Handling Package. The GT350 R also used the GT as a donor car. After coming off the San Jose assembly line it went Shelby’s shop where it became a GT350 R.
Cobra is purpose built to dominate SCCA’s newest Autocross class “Classic American Muscle.”
Competitive Autocross cars must be able to aggressively accelerate., brake and handle.
Cobra knocks it out of the park with 0-60 times in 4 seconds, braking 60-0 in 125 feet and skid pad numbers in the 1.12 to 1.17 g range. Note: the original GT350 R numbers were around 1.10 g.
Build Specifics
347 Stoker 450 HP 427 lbs torque
TREMEC Suier Duty Cobra T5z
Hydramax hydraulic actuated. McLeod Super Sport Pro clutch
Steeda TRI AX short throw shifter
Panhandle Driveline 3.5 inch aluminum driveshaft
Shelby 9 inch Notchback K Code rear with Speedway Engineering 3.89 posi with Moser 31 spline axles
Cobra’s all new track ready suspension includes QA1 coil overs that with her Shelby drop can lower the front end up to three inches. A Shelby sway bar, Global West UCA and LCA., Shelby quick steer, Drake billet adjustable struts and Wilwood 12;19 Dynalite drilled and slotted disc brakes.
Outback Cobra’s suspension includes a Maier Racing and Chris Alston Chassisworks GEN 2 track ready suspension with 4.5 mid eye 165 lb springs, adjustable panhard bar, sub-frame connectors, and Shelby Comp Koni shocks.
Livery
Cobra wears the 098 car black Le Mans stripes bordered in orange. Her custom paint is Paint with Pearl.Silver Holographic metal flake infused in House of Kolor Show Quality Kosmic Klear . The roof and tail light panels are black reflecting Ford’s 2024 GT racing version “Dark Horse. Wheels are also black as are the door handles and glass molding.
Cobra’s modern features focused using “active aerodynamics” to reduce vortex drag created by the classic Mustang’s boxy shape. Peter Brock to the rescue. Cobra uses Brock’s aero front fascia and air dam to improve down forces. Out back Cobra uses Brock’s “boat tail” designs to shape and streamline Cobra’s rear end. All seams have been emanated. Finally, modern “diffusers” create more down forces while reducing vortex drag.
Cobra’s race bred bespoke cockpit draws from selected GT350 R car features like the six gage instrument cluster while increasing driver ergonomics by using features like Wilwood’s swing mount billet adjustable pedals to optimize heel toe action during Autocross racing. The one piece headliner adds inches for the taller driver. SCAT Pro Car Rslky seats are aggressively bolstered to secure the driver. Flaming River’s electric PS has a micro steer box under the dash to adjust steering assist when autocrossing. The Ididt tilt steering column can adjust the Shelby Cobra CSX 6000 roadster black leather steering wheel which increases driver grip when hands are sweaty.
The trunk is custom upholstered in black vertical stitch roll and pleat Naugahyde to match the interior and seat vertical stitching. The trunk contains a Taylor spun aluminum battery box and CVF Racing billet hinges.
Cobra is a spectacle!! She is a track ready car yet very streetable. Shelby has said, “life is too short to drive boring cars!!!”