Carroll Shelby is widely regarded as the greatest American race car builder of the 20th century, and his success in constructing vehicles is typically associated with the 1966 Le Mans-winning GT40. However, before the GT40 was developed, the Shelby Daytona Coupe was built in an effort to take down the Ferrari racing team in international competition. While the GT40 is known as the most iconic of Carroll Shelby’s automotive design work, the Daytona Coupe holds a special place in the minds of automotive collectors and enthusiasts.

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In 1963, led by talented automotive engineer and designer Peter Brock, the Daytona Coupe underwent a ground-up redesign to ensure the vehicle could keep pace with some of the lighter and more aerodynamically efficient cars of the era. Brock played an integral role in designing a flattened, lower hood continuing into a compact cabin and groundbreaking new tail design. While this faced stark opposition from automotive critics who believed the unusual design wouldn’t work, Shelby stood by the work of his young engineer. 

In the end, this unique design worked exactly as Brock and Shelby had envisioned, leading to an International Championship for GT Manufacturers in 1965, the first American-made vehicle ever to earn the prestigious award. The Daytona Coupe would be one of five American-built vehicles to ever claim the award.

The Daytona Coupe is still one of the world’s most intricately designed vehicles and proudly honors the work of Brock and Shelby. Outlined with a steel tubular space frame wrapped inside of a glass composite body, the Daytona Coupe features one of the most iconic body styles in automotive history. 

Superformance continues to build on the legacy of Shelby and Brock with this one-of-a-kind Shelby Daytona Coupe. Built under license from Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc., Superformance has constructed a street-legal version of the race car, adding some necessary upgrades to improve modern-day drivability. 

Shelby Daytona Coupe

Built using a vinyl ester and glass composite body and a tubular space frame constructed of mild steel, the Shelby Daytona Coupe is near-identical to the original. With a fully independent front and rear suspension, unequal front and rear A-arms alongside Bilstein coilovers, limited-slip differential, and four-wheel vented disc brakes, Shelby Daytona Coupe handles like a modern-day sports car. Other amenities include tinted windows throughout, remote door locks, black leather, an Alcantra interior, and Stewart Warner electronic gauges.

The Daytona Coupe combines past innovations, modern technology, and iconic style to deliver a new generation of classic muscle. Built on a Shelby CSX9000 chassis, the Superformance built Shelby Daytona Coupe is eligible for the Shelby American Automobile Club owners registry.