2015 was a very special year for the Shelby Daytona Coupe. It marked 50 years since the sports Coupe became the first American constructor to win an international racing title at the FIA World Sportscar Championship way back in 1965. In doing so, the Daytona Coupe outshone Ferrari which was the dominant force on the tracks at the time.
It was first produced and tested on the Riverside Highway. Upon successful testing, Carroll Shelby decided to build five more units to fight Enzo Ferrari at the race tracks. Their great rivalry was at its highest point though Enzo’s superfast Ferraris were the dominant vehicles at the races with Carroll and his models taking tan underdog position which Carroll despised.
The design of the Coupe was too controversial and most employees at Shelby Organization thought it would be a failure. However, that changed fast when Ken Miles broke the lap record at the Riverside Highway during testing.
Shelby Daytona Coupe 50th Anniversary Exterior
On the outside, the 50th Anniversary Daytona Coupe is identical to one of the original models. Originals models were slightly different from each other so the automaker to the design of one of them. Though the automaker didn’t say which car it took, they said it represents all others.
The vehicles are offered in both aluminum and fiberglass bodies. Buyers opting for fiberglass body shells will have an option for a polished aluminum finish which mimics the original 1964 prototype.
Shelby Daytona Coupe 50th Anniversary Interior
Each of the models will have a premium black leather interior trim. The cockpit features special badging with 50th Anniversary logos and badges. Carroll Shelby and the Coupe’s designer, Peter Brock signatures and a numbered plaque are also included on the dash.
Aluminum bodied Daytona Coupes feature a wooden steering wheel, leather seats and old-school and leaf spring suspension. Racing stripes and sound-deafening materials are optional. The models also feature Wilwood brakes.
Fiberglass bodied cars interior, on the other hand, is more modern. It features power steering, air conditioning, coil-over suspension and power windows.
The automaker adds that buyers will have a feeling as that of driving the original Daytona Coupes.
Engine Specs and performance
Ford offers the Daytona Coupe as a rolling chassis without an engine. The engine is offered separately. The automaker pointed during the launch that buyers can install a different kind of motors.
The original model was powered by a 4.7 L V-8 engine which produced 385 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a Borg Warner 4-speed manual gearbox. The model used to accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in around 4 seconds with a top speed of 190 mph which was pretty impressive back then.
Though the continuation series also features the same 4.7 L V-8, we understand that Shelby is offering a new aluminum block engine as opposed to original engine’s cast-iron blocks. The automaker remained us about its output figures but we believe it will be as powerful if not more powerful than the original model.
Due to its lighter weight and modern technology, the 50th Anniversary Daytona Coupe will perform better than its ancestor. The engines will be serial numbered from CSX9950 to CSX9999).
Price
The Daytona Coupe is sold as a rolling chassis, meaning it can be finished by the customer or an authorized dealer. The polished aluminum models were sold for $ 349,995 while the fiberglass models were going for $ 179,995.
You notice I am using past tense here because there is no chance of getting a model right now since Ford announced it would produce only 50 units and these sort of cars sell out hours after automakers start accepting orders.
