With four student-built Cobra replicas - Click here to view the collection
In “Ford v Ferrari” (2019), Carroll Shelby's character describes a moment that should resonate with every true driving enthusiast:
“There's a point at 7,000 RPM where everything fades. The machine becomes weightless—just disappears. And all that's left is a body moving through space and time. 7,000 RPM. That's where you meet it. You feel it coming. It creeps up on you, close in your ear. Asks you a question. The only question that matters: Who are you?”
That philosophic riddle will be posed to bidders at Mecum Harrisburg 2026, where four Factory Five Shelby Cobra replicas from The Winners Circle Project Collection will cross the auction block. Bearing the same rebellious spirit that made the Cobra a legend, these student-built roadsters raise funding for both the participating schools and the Winners Circle Project (WCP), helping cultivate the next generation of builders, engineers and innovators.
Returning to Harrisburg for a second year, the WCP gives students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge where it matters most: in the workshop. Founded by Pius Mawejje Kayiira, the program combines STEAM education with hands-on vehicle construction, challenging students to build full-scale performance cars from the ground up. The concept proved successful in 2025, when a collection of student-built Factory Five replicas generated over $200,000 at Mecum Harrisburg.
For 2026, the Winners Circle Project has four schools returning with four unique interpretations of the legendary Cobra formula—every build possessing its own distinct personality, purpose and character.
The Guardsman: Dover High School
If there is a spiritual successor to the Cobras that prowled Riverside, Sebring and Road America during America's road-racing boom, Dover High School's entry may be it. Located in Dover Plains, New York, the school characterizes itself as a place where each and every individual is valued and supported to be “the best version of themselves.”
The students chose to look toward motorsports history for inspiration, assembling a 1965 Factory Five Shelby Cobra Replica Roadster that pays homage to one of racing's most revered figures, Ken Miles. Finished in timeless Guardsman Blue and equipped with vintage competition details throughout, this roadster exudes the spirit of the machines that helped define American road racing during the 1960s. A competition windscreen, race-inspired aluminum interior, vintage-style shifter and original-style dashboard plaques reinforce the period-correct theme, while stone guards over the LED headlights complete the purposeful look.
Beneath the classic presentation lies thoroughly modern performance. A BluePrint Engines 347 CI Ford small-block V-8 producing 415 HP sends power through a Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission. Power steering, Koni coilover shocks, independent rear suspension and 4-wheel power disc brakes ensure the driving experience matches the car's aggressive appearance. Rolling on 15-inch Halibrand-style wheels and tires, Dover's entry delivers a proper tribute to an era when American racing heroes became luminaries.
The Viking: FDR High School
While some Cobras were built to intimidate, FDR's roadster embraces a different philosophy—one rooted in craftsmanship, restraint and the kind of detail work that reveals itself gradually. Located in Hyde Park, New York, FDR prides itself on offering a comprehensive list of Honors-level and Advanced Placement courses to its many students.
Finished in Viking Blue paint applied by Matt's Auto Body, FDR’s 1965 Factory Five Shelby Cobra Replica Roadster immediately stands out thanks to its white-painted steel wheels, creating a distinctive vintage aesthetic rarely seen on contemporary Cobra replicas. Inside, the students incorporated custom tan seating surfaces, matching door panels, and gray carpeting, creating a warm, inviting cockpit. The handcrafted touches continue with a wood dashboard and a custom maple wood tunnel shifter, elements that showcase the students' attention to detail and willingness to blend time-honored materials with high-performance engineering.
The foundation remains serious performance machinery. Like its counterparts, the FDR Cobra is powered by a 415 HP BluePrint Engines 347 V-8 backed by a Tremec TKX 5-speed transmission. A powder-coated chassis, independent rear suspension, power steering, Koni coilover shocks and 4-wheel power disc brakes provide the hardware necessary to transform classroom learning into real-world capability. Custom dual roll bars add a final signature touch to a build that successfully balances grace, craftsmanship and performance.
The Tacoma: John Jay High School
Fast cars often tell stories, and this example is ready for a new narrator. John Jay High School, located in Hopewell Junction, New York, is involved in the Winners Circle Project and has earned a reputation for excellence in academics, performing arts, athletics and cocurricular programs. The school returns to Harrisburg after fielding one of the most memorable entries in last year's collection, a roadster that captured attention with its "You Matter" mental health awareness theme and championship-winning setup.
For 2026, the students have once again infused personal meaning into their 1965 Factory Five Shelby Cobra Replica Roadster, centering the build around a custom tribute panel housed within the trunk. While performance remains a priority, the vehicle also reflects the students and community that helped bring it to life. The exterior is finished in a striking two-tone combination of Tacoma Blue and black, giving the Cobra a modern presence while maintaining its unmistakable classic silhouette. Inside, racing bucket seats, custom carbon fiber dashboards and a full-width roll bar create a purposeful, competition-inspired environment accented by blacked-out trim.
Power likewise comes from a BluePrint Engines 347 CI small-block V-8 rated at 415 HP and equipped with a Holley carburetor. The combination feeds a Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission, while power steering, independent rear suspension, Koni coilover shocks and 4-wheel power disc brakes provide modern drivability and handling.
The Cobalt: Ketcham High School
In an era when Shelby's original racers often stood apart before the green flag ever dropped, the fourth Cobra offering follows a similar path. One of the most visually distinctive entries in this year's collection is a 1965 Factory Five Shelby Cobra Replica Mk5 Roadster from Ketcham High School. Located in Wappingers Falls, New York, the majority of Ketcham’s student body participates in the school's extensive extracurricular offerings, including approximately 35 athletic teams and more than 30 clubs.
Finished in Cobalt Blue Metallic with Metallic White stripes, this Cobra Mk5 Roadster immediately commands attention—but the students didn't stop at paint and graphics. Throughout the vehicle are subtle details that celebrate school pride, including custom school-themed lug covers and a bespoke tan interior that gives the car a refined, upscale character. Under the hood sits a visually dramatic engine package. While all four builds use BluePrint Engines' 347 CI Ford small-block platform, Ketcham elevated the presentation with a Holley tunnel-ram intake topped by dual Holley carburetors, creating a striking centerpiece every time the hood is lifted.
The drivetrain is completed by a Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission and 3.73 rear gears, while power steering, independent rear suspension, Koni coilover shocks and 4-wheel power disc brakes provide the handling and stopping capability expected from a modern Cobra replica. The result is a roadster that blends classic Hot Rodding tradition with student-driven originality.
The Winners Circle Project Collection: The Road Ahead
More than six decades after Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles set out to prove that lighter, faster and louder could also be better, the Cobra remains one of the most magnetic shapes ever put on four wheels. As these Cobra-inspired replicas roll onto the auction stage in Harrisburg, bidders will have the opportunity to acquire unique renditions inspired by one of the most celebrated sports cars ever produced, ensuring the next generation of builders, fabricators, engineers and dreamers has the chance to chase ambitious pursuits. That's what the WCP is all about—not just the cars, but the future.
As Shelby himself once said, "If you want to be a hero, you've got to have big dreams.” No one achieves excellence without setting and pursuing ambitious goals. Perhaps that's why the question encountered at 7,000 RPM still matters—because somewhere in the process of building cars, a new generation begins to discover the answer.
