Fresh 2016 build with 138 miles. Professional build by Backdraft Racing. 427 stroker motor/5-speed manual. Leather interior, gorgeous paint, full cloth folding top and sidecurtains. Insanely fast.
We’re smitten by the Monterey Red paint job on this particular Cobra, which is elegant but incredibly visible, and there’s not a single visitor to our showroom who doesn’t stop and stare at this incredible roadster. Factory-painted at Backdraft’s state-of-the-art facility, it’s got show-quality paint and fiberglass work that’s extremely impressive. The curves are voluptuous as ever, the hood does a great impression of aluminum with exposed rivets, and the doors fit better than any aluminum Cobra rolling out of Shelby’s shop in the 1960s. Detailing is exacting, with jacking stubs fore and aft, an oil cooler opening up front, chrome gills in the front fenders, and, of course, the “Powered by Ford” emblems that are practically mandatory. Oh, it also nails the original look with Lucas-style marker and taillights, flip-up gas cap, chrome windshield with Plexiglas windwings, and T-handle hood latches. And all of it is brand new and beautifully finished.
The wrap-around leather buckets are as comfortable and supportive as they look and are equipped with bright red cam-lock safety harnesses. Black carpets with tan piping give it a very neat, easy-to-maintain look, and the door panels are wonderfully done with a map pocket and leather pull strap for the latch. Even the door hinges are beautifully upholstered in tan leather with red stitching—nice! The wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel looks quite accurate in the low-slung roadster, and the custom billet shifter is canted forward much like the original, although this one now controls 5 gears instead of the original 4. There’s a full complement of beautiful Auto Meter gauges which replicate the original Smiths dials quite nicely, including a reverse-rotation speedometer and both an oil pressure gauge and an oil temperature gauge—you know what this car was built to do. It also includes a fully finished trunk and a tan cloth top and side curtains for inclement weather. Truly a no-compromises Cobra roadster.
It’s still a 427, don’t worry, but instead of a heavy chunk of big block sitting out there in the nose, you get a lithe small block stroker motor. It’s a 351 Windsor bored and stroked to a legitimate 427 cubic inches, and you’d better believe it brings the thunder. We have a dyno sheet with the car that shows 480 horsepower and over 500 pounds of torque, and this car simply runs away from anything else you’ve ever driven. The foundation is an Eagle steel crank and rods, a Comp Cams full roller valvetrain, and ARP fasteners holding it all together. On top there are aluminum heads that shave weight as well as build horsepower, along with an Edelbrock intake manifold and a big Holley double-pumper. MSD supplied the ignition and there’s a simple serpentine belt assembly for the chrome alternator and water pump. Also note the beautifully made stainless coolant tubes, the polished overflow tank for the radiator, and the oval-shaped ari cleaner that does a pretty good impression of the Ford piece used on original Cobras.
Flip on the power, turn the key, and press the starter button and the big 427 cackles to life almost instantly. Oil pressure springs up and it’s ready to rock. Clutch action is light and progressive and the Tremec 5-speed manual transmission snaps off lightning-quick shifts with great action through that canted shifter. The stout rectangular tube chassis is robust enough to resist the twisting action and the car launches straight and true. There’s a fully independent suspension, including a very trick rear setup that isn’t some off-the-shelf kit piece but a fully-adjustable setup that can be fine-tuned for camber, toe, and ride height so you can get it exactly right. A limited slip differential out back is probably a good idea and it comes with manual rack-and-pinion steering that’s so direct it’s like the front tires are hardwired to your cerebellum. You also get giant disc brakes at all four corners as well as a set of beautifully made side pipes with heat shields that look like art. Halibrand replicas (they’re real knock-offs—check out the safety wire!) look right and wear big Falken 18-inch radials.
We’d be lying if we said we didn’t get a little weak in the knees every time we think about driving this car. It’s invincible on the street and it’s a thrill to drive. Yes, you need to be sharp and bring your A-game to get the most out of it (or to not die), but isn’t that the entire point? The best Cobra replica we’ve ever seen, ready to go. Call now!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
