Lucas Bell 
No matter how you shake it, the Shelby Cobra is quite simply one of the coolest vehicles to ever hit the pavement. The brain-child of the late and great Carroll Shelby, this American V8-powered British roadster remains one of the most iconic and sought after vehicles to come from the United States. Original examples of the Shelby are tremendously valuable and few in numbers, but thankfully for all of us Shelby American isn’t the only company to have crafted these roadsters over the years. The entire kit car market in the U.S. has been driven by Cobra replicas for decades at this point, giving enthusiasts of more modest means a chance to meet their hero. Now thanks to the folks over at Bring a Trailer, you have a chance to take home this exquisitely finished ERA Cobra replica.
A Shelby Cobra Replica By ERA
ERA has been building Cobra replicas for quite some time now, first rolling kits out of their New Britain, Connecticut, facility back in 1981. This particular ERA Cobra was purchased and assembled by MLB star Reggie Jackson in 2012, before being purchased by its current owner in 2019. Since then, the car has undergone a bit of a transformation, bringing it in line with the iconic Shelby Cobra models we’ve all come to love. Under the fiberglass bodywork sits a 351 cubic-inch Ford Windsor V8, sourced by the team at BluePrint engines. The motor is mated to a five-speed Tremec TKO gearbox, and features a 304 stainless-steel exhaust system with twin Volant side-exit mufflers. Four-wheel disc brakes, independent coilover suspension front and rear, and a traditional single-roll hoop were also included in the build.
Visually, you would have a hard time telling this car apart from a genuine Shelby Cobra. The bodywork features a unique Yankee Blue paint, as well as red fender hashes and old-school meatballs on the flanks. The FIA-style knock-off wheels are also correct to period, as are the Stewart Warner instruments on the dash. The interior itself has been completed by the current owner, and is trimmed in some beautiful black leather-upholstery. Only 1,000 miles are on the odometer, 400 of which were added by the seller. The sale includes some additional components, an assembly and service manual, and a clean California title.
The Auction
As of the time of writing, this ERA Cobra replica has been bid up to $55,000, which is still a bargain in the world of Cobras. While this car isn’t as crazy as some of the modern kits we’ve seen pop up recently, it is true to its heritage. In that sense, we’re sure that the next owner will be quite happy to have this thing in their garage. Here’s to hoping the car does more than 1,000 miles in its next 10 years of life, however.
