AS YOU probably know, they only built six original Shelby Cobra Daytonas. Even if you do find one for sale, it’ll cost enough to cause a heart attack, so if you want one of your own, your only option is to go down the replica path like Gavin Irvine did with his stunning, LS-powered Factory Five Shelby Daytona.
This isn’t Gavin’s first time with a Shelby kit car, having already built an LS1-powered Shelby Cobra for himself. Unfortunately, that car met a nasty end on track, which prompted Gavin to build the Daytona you see here. “I always liked Daytonas when I still had the Cobra, and when I had to say goodbye to that car, I decided to build one,” he says.
This particular car is a 1965-spec Factory Five Racing replica that Gavin sourced from the US. “I built the Cobra myself and really enjoyed it, so I wanted to do that again with the Daytona,” he says. “I have a decently equipped workshop from my work as a gas and electric fitter, and I find building these cars after hours a relaxing thing to do.”
Gavin’s Daytona landed in pieces from the US in late 2016, and from there he began building his dream machine. “The kit comes with everything but the engine, gearbox, steering rack and tyres, but I’d already planned some changes anyway, so that didn’t faze me,” he explains.
One of those big changes was the engine, as Gavin had no intentions of using a Windsor V8, which the Cobras were originally designed for. “It would’ve been a lot simpler if I did, but I already had the LS there, and I kind of like annoying Ford guys as well,” he laughs.
Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av Street Machine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av Street Machine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
ARBY’S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HIS VG VALIANT’S 60-FOOT TIMES YIELD PROMISING RESULTS IN THE RUN-UP TO STREET MACHINE DRAG CHALLENGE
ANIKA HODGES
THE CAR DROVE INTO OUR SHED AS A CREAM 202CI VC AND DROVE OUT AS A SILVER CAR WITH A 355 V8
STAGE FRIGHT
IT TOOK OWEN SCOTT MORE THAN 20 YEARS TO BUILD A TROPHY-WINING, 600HP EH HOLDEN UTE THAT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME
THE Ummmal SUSPECT
FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT MINI-TRUCKS. THIS SUMMERNATS TOP 60 HILUX IS A PROPER STREET MACHINE
FULLY UTILISED
HARDWOOD ROD & CUSTOM TURNS DARREN ISON'S HAND-ME-DOWN HT INTO A SMOOTH OPERATOR
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
ARBY’S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HIS VG VALIANT’S 60-FOOT TIMES YIELD PROMISING RESULTS IN THE RUN-UP TO STREET MACHINE DRAG CHALLENGE
PEOPLE POWER
WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT 36 YEARS OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS - AND MOST DEMOCRATICALLY AWARDED - HONOUR IN OUR SPORT: STREET MACHINE OF THE YEAR
OUT-AND-OUT MAYHEM
STREET MACHINE DRAG CHALLENGE IS ALREADY A ROLLICKING GOOD TIME, BUT WHAT CAR EVENT CAN'T BE MADE EVEN BETTER BY ADDING A BURNOUT COMP? INTRODUCING OUR INAUGURAL RODS OUT!
BAD TO THE BONE
THANKS TO HIS SON, ANDY, THE LATE MARIO COLALILLO’S 39 PLYMOUTH COUPE IS BACK ON THE ROAD AND STILL ONE OF THE BADDEST HOT RODS IN THE COUNTRY
THE CHALLENGE IS REAL
FROM TRACK DRAMAS TO SOARING TEMPERATURES, DRAG CHALLENGE 2024 THREW US SOME OF ITS TOUGHEST TESTS YET, BUT IT ALSO BROUGHT SOME OF THE QUICKEST TIMES THE EVENT HAS EVER SEEN