-The Shelby Daytona coupe is one of the most beautiful and desirable racers in the history of American motorsport. Originals, of which only six were built, now demand upwards of $7 million at auction. Numerous kit car manufacturers have taken a stab at building rough approximations, but now Shelby American is getting in on the act, with a limited run of 50 brand-new Daytona Coupes to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the FIA World Championship awarded to the originals. And compared to the real deal, they’re almost reasonably priced!
Specifically, Shelby American will offer up brand-new Daytona Coupes in two varieties: Fiberglass-bodied models starting at $180,000, or aluminum examples starting at $350,000—all prices without drivetrain. These are historically sympathetic reproductions, featuring modernized disc brakes, updated and strengthened frames, and a slightly more livable leather-upholstered interior, but staying true to the originals with leaf-spring suspensions, tube frames, and thin wooden-rimmed steering wheels. Shelby American COO Keith Belair says the aluminum models are “faithful to the six built during the 1960s,” while the fiberglass examples are “true to the spirit of the Coupe, but reimagined as if it had remained in production over the years.”
-The total combined production run for both body styles is capped at 50 examples, each wearing a commemorative badge celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original. Built as kit cars, the choice of engine is up to the customer, although Shelby American will provide an aluminum-block 289-cubic-inch V-8 with a serial number identical to the rolling chassis for those looking for a historically accurate powerplant. Like Shelby American’s continuation-series Cobras, each Daytona Coupe will carry a CSX serial number.
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If you’re dying for a legitimate, Shelby-built Daytona Coupe and you don’t have a spare $7 million kicking around, contact Shelby American to place your deposit. But with only 50 offered, you better be quick about it.
-This story originally appeared on roadandtrack.com via Supercompressor.
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