Zac Quinn 
In 1999, Carroll Shelby sought to create a modern take on the legendary Cobra. Dubbed the Series 1, these soft-topped sports cars were beautifully created. However, only 249 of the intended 500 were sold before a legal kerfuffle occurred after the car was not deemed crash-compliant. So, no more Series 1s were made. Fast forward to 2018, Shelby American launched the Series 2, which offered modernization in every aspect of the car. This year, the Series 1 is celebrating its 25th birthday, and Shelby is offering a hardtop version of the Series 2 to celebrate, but the engine is sold separately.
Shelby American Series 2 Hardtop: Details
According to The Drive, the Series 2 coupes will be built by Windgard Motorsports under license from Shelby, using an improved version of the car. The tweaks reduce weight and improve suspension to handle well over 1,000 horsepower with ease. Each of the Shelby Series 2 hardtops will be sold as “rollers,” meaning they don’t have an engine. However, Shelby has a few options for customers to power these ridiculously good-looking sports cars. These powertrain options include a Shelby 427 Windsor V8, a supercharged 7.3-liter Ford Godzilla V8, or an electric motor and battery setup.
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This car is set up to take on absurd power with inboard pushrod suspension and four-corner six-piston brakes under 19-inch monoblock wheels. Owners will have complete control with a paddle-shifted six-speed transmission mounted in the rear to give the car a 50-50 weight distribution. Including an engine, the car’s total weight comes to under 3,200 pounds. That’s an incredibly fast car, and did we mention it’s good-looking?
The Series 2 coupes will be available with carbon fiber or aluminum bodies. The carbon-fiber-bodied cars will start at $385,600, while the aluminum bodies will begin at $498,200. That’s just for the roller; once you add the drivetrains, prices will increase by at least $83,500.
