2005 SUPERFORMANCE SHELBY DAYTONA COUPE

This Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupe is a striking continuation of one of the world’s most iconic racing cars, which balances surprising levels of comfort with astonishing performance. Under the bonnet is a Roush Performance 402IR 6.6-litre V8, which produces 515bhp and 500lb-ft of torque, driving the rear wheels via a Tremec T3550 five-speed manual transmission and a Hydratrak adjustable limited-slip differential – resulting in a claimed 0-60mph time of just 3.9 seconds. The odometer displays 17,330 miles from new.

First introduced by renowned South African replica builders Superformance in 2003, the Shelby Daytona Coupe is a recreation of the one of the 1960s’ most famous racing cars. Designed by Peter Brock and Bob Negstad under Carroll Shelby, the original Daytona Coupe’s purpose was simple; to beat the Ferrari 250 GTO in the GT class – a goal which was achieved at a number of events, including the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 1965 24 Hours of Daytona, before going on to win the World GT Championship.

Some 48 years later, Superformance, along with original designers Peter Brock and Bob Negstad, set about creating a modern continuation of the 6 original Shelby Daytona Coupes, albeit with a few minor changes. To increase occupant comfort, the entire car was made 2% larger, providing more cabin space as well as a slightly larger wheelbase. Both the car’s power output and aerodynamics were also enhanced, and best of all, the replicas were made to be road legal. Carrol Shelby subsequently officially sanctioned Superformance as able to continue to build the cars with his name on them. Today, the new list price of the Mk2 Coupe is around £160,000.

This particular right-hand drive example was manufactured in by Superformance in South Africa in 2005 and was shipped to the UK to be completed by Le Mans Coupes of Crawley Downs, who were responsible for installing the engine, among other items.

First registered in May 2005, its log book lists just two prior keepers from new, with the first being head of Virgin Records, Palawan Press founder and well-known car collector, Simon Draper. The car was also used as Le Mans Coupe’s press demonstrator, when it was reviewed by celebrity Chef James Martin in the Mail on Sunday, who stated: “I wish there were more cars like this. They’re truly mad, but that’s the point.”

Adding that extra touch of star power, it attended a meeting of all six original Shelby Daytona Coupes at the Goodwood Revival in 2015, where racing legend Bob Bondurant and designer Peter Brock signed under the bonnet and the glovebox. The current owner acquired this updated racing legend approximately two years ago and is now offering it for sale.

Today, the bodywork presents very well, with its recognisable long, sweeping nose and cut off Kamm tail paying a suitable tribute to its ancestor. The original Indigo Blue paintwork and Wimbledon White stripes are in good order, but do show some signs of the car’s use consistent with a 15 year old car. A peppering of stone chips covers the nose, which is also slightly scuffed on its lower centre and underside. Similarly, the front wings are slightly stone chipped, and there is a 1cm scratch on the front nearside wing, while the edge of the passenger door is marked by a 0.5cm chip.

The seller also notes that there appears to be mild ripplling to the rear of the driver’s door, plus the black vinyl edging below the rear screen is beginning to delaminate a little. However, given that the Daytona Coupe is often seen with more than a few racing battle scars, these blemishes do not detract from its overall handsome appearance.

Housing the monstrous ‘eight-stack’ Roush V8, the engine bay presents very well, with Peter Brock and Bob Bondurant’s signatures appearing alongside the engine’s identification plate. This Superformance Daytona Coupe rides on a set of 18-inch cast alloy wheels, which are in very good order.

In the cabin, this replica does a fantastic job of recreating the look and feel of a 1960s performance machine, thanks in part to its rear roll cage, retro gear lever and driver-focused design. The fluted black leather seats with inflatable lumbar support are very smart indeed, as is the leather-clad Moto-Lita steering wheel, which is accented by a Cobra horn push.

Black Stewart Warner gauges and a Stack tachometer provide the driver with all of the information they need, while pleasingly analogue toggle switches control everything from the car’s starter to its fog lights.

Accompanying the signature under the bonnet, Peter Brock has also applied his autograph to the glovebox door. The black vinyl which covers the centre console and the front of the dashboard shows few signs of wear, although there is a small nick on the passenger-side of the heater control panel.

Grey Alcantara brings a touch of modernity to the interior, covering the upper dashboard, headlining and door cards, which are all in sound condition; however the previous owner had the stereo system removed and covered the speaker cut-outs in the doors with cloth, so the next owner may wish to install a more permanent covering.

Other contemporary touches include power steering and remote power door locks, while a high-output air conditioning system provides some much-needed cooling during enthusiastic drives on hot summer days. The seller states that all of the interior buttons, switches and electrical items work without fault.

Well-maintained throughout its life, this Daytona Coupe was last tended to in July 2020 at 17,268 miles by the car’s official importer, Le Mans Coupes Ltd. This consisted of replacement of some of the electrical components and some of the suspension joints, as well as an MOT test, which is detailed below.

Prior to this, a new starter motor was fitted in January 2020, when the brake servo was also repaired, and in February 2019 the car received a full service, including an oil change, replacement spark plugs and fuel injection mapping.

Other maintenance has included the correction of an exhaust leak and gradual replacement of most of the suspension joints. The seller notes that as it is rose-jointed, the suspension can be a little noisy inside the cabin at low speeds.

Upgrades include lightweight Ozcraft bespoke stainless steel sidepipe exhausts, Performance Friction floating front brake discs, double oil catch-tanks for better breathing control and Cobra Valley R/T suspension with dual-adjustable bump and rebound.

As mentioned, its last MOT test was conducted on 16 July 2020 at 17,268 miles, which it passed first-time without a single advisory, as it has done for the past five years. The wheels are shod in Continental Tyres, with 255/45 R18 PremiumContact 6 items at the front and 285/50 R18 Cross Contacts at the rear. All four are described as essentially being new, having covered less than 500 miles since they were fitted.

Accompanying the car are its handbook, suspension adjustment tools and full service history documentation. The appropriate registration plate ‘V8 RSA’ is also included.

This Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupe is a stunning recreation of one of history’s most recognisable racing heroes, which is updated with a few key enhancements for everyday driving comfort and impressive, reliable performance. In fine mechanical health and marked by only a few exterior blemishes, it looks every bit the classic racer, and produces the engine note and horsepower to back it up. It would make a head-turning addition to any collection, and is sure to stand out on the road or at the track.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.