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The Shelby Daytona is one of the most legendary and valuable race cars in American automotive history.

Based loosely on the AC Cobra roadster chassis and drivetrain, the Daytona coupe made Shelby the first American constructor to win a title in international competition at the 1965 FIA World Sportscar Championship. Only six of the ultra-rare Shelby Daytonas were made before Shelby turned its focus to the Ford GT40.

Shelby American announced today that it will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legendary coupe by making 50 brand-new Daytona coupes. That production run will be some combination of fiberglass versions and aluminum models. The fiberglass coupes will start at $180,000; the aluminum-bodied coupes will begin at $350,000. And that’s without a drivetrain.

Pricey? Yes. But a relative bargain compared to the original six Daytonas, which have reportedly demanded around $7 million dollars at auction.

Ultimately, the engine and drivetrain are up to the customer, but Shelby American will offer an aluminum 289 V8 for an extra cost. The official introduction of the new Shelby Daytona will take place at Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Revival during Pebble Beach week.

Key features of each version are listed below:

Aluminum Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe 
Exterior:
Aluminum body built to the same specs and measurements as the 1960s era cars
Original-style tube chassis
35-gallon stainless steel fuel tank
Trigo FIA wheels
Interior:
Wood steering wheel with 50th Anniversary Badges
Shelby-Branded leather surface seats
Halon fire suppression system
Heat shields on foot boxesPerformance:
Cold air box
Half-shafts
4-piston Wilwood brakes
Original style leaf spring suspension
Aluminum control arms

Additional Options:
Polished or Painted (Guardsman blue with Wimbledon white stripes and roundels)
Transverse nose team stripe
Right-hand drive conversion
Sound deadening & heat dissipation

Fiberglass Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe
Exterior:
21-gallon stainless steel fuel tank
Guardsman Blue paint (with Wimbledon White stripes)
FIA 15-inch wheels painted white
Daytona Coupe decals including Daytona, Le Mans, or Sebring

Interior:
Stewart Warner gauges
Shelby-branded leather surface seats
Roll bar
Air conditioning
Power steering
Power windows and locks

Performance:
Coil-over independent suspension
Shelby original style round tube frame
Shelby brakes with vented rotors
White ceramic coated headers and side pipes

Additional Options:
Transverse nose team stripe
Rookie team stripe
Right hand drive conversion
Sound deadening and heat dissipation system

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Author: David Fuller

David Fuller is OnAllCylinders' managing editor. During his 20-year career in the auto industry, he has covered a variety of races, shows, and industry events and has authored articles for multiple magazines. He has also partnered with mainstream and trade publications on a wide range of editorial projects. In 2012, he helped establish OnAllCylinders, where he enjoys covering all facets of hot rodding and racing.