Carroll Shelby’s simple plan of fitting a Ford V-8 engine into the chassis of an AC Ace proved to be a brilliant idea, with the Shelby Cobra quickly becoming one of the most iconic sports cars of its era. Initially housing a 260-cubic inch V-8 engine, then a 289-cubic inch powerplant, a new, stronger coil-suspended chassis was introduced in 1965 to fit the big-block 427-cubic inch V-8—which in race trim could produce in excess of 450 horsepower. Wider bodywork, extended wheel-arch flares, and a bigger radiator intake combined to create the legendarily aggressive 427 Cobra.

In the early 1990s, Carroll Shelby took up where 427 Cobra production left off with the introduction of the 4000 Series. Built in Las Vegas, Nevada on new chassis, these cars were intended to be “new” Cobras with the same style and appearance as their 1960s ancestors. Sometimes referred to as continuation cars, the 4000 Series typically featured fiberglass bodywork in stock form, but buyers had the opportunity to order more authentic aluminum bodywork at a substantial additional cost.

This Shelby Cobra boasts a Kirkham Motorsports-built polished aluminum body with contrasting brushed racing stripes. Since 1994, Provo, Utah-based Kirkham has offered exacting Cobra replicas in a range of configurations. Exterior features include a hood scoop, four-into-one side-exit stainless steels exhausts, a driver’s side rollbar, clear wind wings, tinted sun visors, pop-up gas cap, as well as front and rear quick-jack racing bumpers. It rides on Goodyear Eagle “billboard” tires mounted on Halibrand-style knock-off wheels with a polished lip.

Power comes from an aluminum-block 427 FE V-8 from the Carroll Shelby Engine Company. Bored and stroked to 468 cubic inches of displacement and topped by a Holley Hardcore 850HP Double Pumper carburetor, it produces a breathtaking 550 horsepower and 580 pound-feet of torque. A modern five-speed manual transmission ensures comfortable travel at highway speeds.

The interior is trimmed in black leather, with lap belts securing the driver and passenger; the driver benefits from a roll bar-mounted shoulder harness for more spirited driving. Behind the three-spoke Cobra-branded wood-rimmed steering wheel is a suite of Speedhut instrumentation, and a bottle for the onboard fire-suppression system sits below the dash.

Living up to the Shelby name in every aspect, this CSX “4000 Series” 427 S/C Cobra is a subtly modified interpretation of one of the most recognizable cars in the world. With its beautiful aluminum body polished to a mirrorlike finish, it begs the question: How could one cover such artwork with a coat of paint?