1965 Shelby Cobra Backdraft Racing

Description

SUMMARY

• Built in May of 2010
• 427 cubic inch Roush Performance 427 R crate engine
• Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission
• Sale includes a build book, engine specs and an official dyno sheet
• Backdraft Racing BMW-sourced power steering / 4-wheel power disc brakes
• Backdraft Racing BMW-sourced limited-slip rear axle / 3.46 gears
• Backdraft Racing BMW-sourced fully independent suspension
• Backdraft Racing fiberglass body / PPG paint
• Leather interior
• 17-inch Halibrand-style wheels

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In the collector car world, stylish convertibles with incredible power usually command big attention and serious money. Need proof? Check out all those dual-quad Impalas and Sting Ray roadsters that routinely pull 6-figure prices simply because they exist. That begs the question: how do you get breakneck performance that's wrapped in a jaw-dropping shell without draining your kid's college fund? Well, you take a serious look at a gem like this fantastic Backdraft Racing Cobra! A modern spin on a timeless sports car, this roadster mixes 427 cubic inches of Roush Performance stroker with a tough Tremec 5-speed, BMW suspension components and crowd-pleasing aesthetics. If you're in the market for a storied classic that's destined to lead the pack, you've found your pride and joy!

BODYWORK/TRIM

From inception, Backdraft cars are turnkey products developed and engineered to mimic the vintage appeal of authentic aluminum Cobras while handily out-performing pretty much anything on the street. The assembly of this roadster's professionally finished body began with a steel-lined GRP molding that was hand-tweaked and gel coated on a full-size rotisserie rack. Once that coating was complete, the newly formed fuselage was smoothed by a seasoned fiberglass professional, baked in an even coat of primer and inspected top-to-bottom to ensure first-class quality. When quality control was cleared, clean PPG white was detailed with Indigo Blue stripes, covered in three layers of ChemSpec clear, baked and cured for three days, and finally, flattened and polished to a head-turning shine. And today, this super slick Cobra is a sophisticated build that exhibits twice the style and twice the race-bred DNA of a typical replicar boulevard cruiser.

Detailing is crucial on a replica because that's where a lot of cars start to disappoint. Fortunately, you can tell the overall impression of one of these roadsters from about five feet away. And naturally, since were featuring it, this Cobra hits all the right visuals! At the front of the car, a sculpted and re-angled nose hangs chrome-trimmed Hella headlights over mesh grilles, clear, bullet-style parking lamps and polished quick lifts. A sculpted hood anchors a small, ROUSH-branded scoop in front of locking latches and polished windshield wipers. Behind that hood, a tinted windshield hangs a small Backdraft Racing mirror in front of clear wind wings, dark-tint visors, a polished roll bar and a familiar, Monza-style fuel filler. At the sides of the car, polished and shielded exhaust pipes ride below stylish Ford emblems, finned air extractors and 3M quarter guards. And at the back of the car, chrome-trimmed tail lamps combine with a chrome tag light to illuminate a locking trunk handle and two more polished quick lifts.

ENGINE

This roadster's signage accurately advertises 427 cubic inches of American muscle. What it fails to convey is: instead of some romantic relic from a bygone era, would-be challengers are facing a fresh Roush Performance 427 R stroker motor that, during its 2010 dyno run, twisted 537 horsepower into 518 lb./ft. of torque! Built from the ground up as your ticket to major acceleration and killer speed, this stout mill is founded on an iron block, a steel crank, a roller cam, H-beam connecting rods and forged aluminum pistons. At the top of the smooth engine, a Roush Cobra Jet-style air cleaner mixes fresh oxygen with 93-octane pump gas that's supplied by braided fluid lines and a large Holley 4-barrel. That carburetor is bolted to an Edelbrock Victor Jr. 351W intake, which rides between aluminum, CNC-ported heads and sequential Roush valve covers. Fire is provided by an MSD Blaster SS coil, which is connected to an MSD Pro-Billet distributor and loomed Roush 9mm plug wires. Cooling comes courtesy of a screened radiator, which circulates water past a large electric puller fan and polished stainless overflow via polished stainless tubes and a coated pump. Ceramic-coated mild steel headers evacuate spent gases into 304 stainless side-pipes. And at the front of the block, a beefy serpentine system spins billet pulleys in front of a polished Powermaster alternator and polished power steering pump. Aesthetically, the hot engine looks right at home in the car's mirror-like bay. And well-planned details, like a chrome breather, a coated fuel pump and a beefy QuickTime bellhousing, are both functional and appealing.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

When it's time to put your hair in the wind, forget about outdated Toploader 4-speeds because this modern-day Cobra blisters the pavement with a fresh Tremec TKO600 5-speed. That world-class transmission delivers power to a 3.46 limited-slip BMW rear end that creates whiplash-inducing acceleration while still allowing the car to loaf along at highway speeds. That drivetrain, which is bolted to a hot-rolled rectangular steel ladder-type chassis, sends power through the same BMW-sourced MacPherson strut front and fully independent rear suspension that's become a Backdraft hallmark. And thanks to that suspension's adjustable front stabilizer bar, fully adjustable rear ride height and BMW power steering system, you're getting a Cobra that has a performance threshold capable of humiliating much more expensive hardware. Brakes are power-assisted discs at all four corners that, thanks to this car's featherweight construction, are virtually impervious to fade. And there's simply nothing that looks better on a Cobra than a set of Halibrand-style wheels, which spin sticky 245/40ZR17 Goodyear Eagle F1s in front of aggressive 315/35ZR17 Goodyear Eagle F1s.

INTERIOR

Cobra interiors have always been simple, and one look inside this roadster reveals just how serious the car's aspirations are when it comes to being driver-focused. Backdraft Racing buckets stretch tight leather hides between 4-point Crow Enterprizes harnesses. In front of those seats, a leather-wrapped dash founds electric VDO telemetry above metal Backdraft Racing foot pedals. At the sides of that dash, lightweight doors hang blue-stitched pulls above small map pockets. Below those doors, clean carpet centers a polished e-brake and polished Backdraft Racing shifter between color-keyed Backdraft Racing floor mats. The driver stays connected to the asphalt thanks to a polished Backdraft Racing wheel, which twists a thick Teak rim. And the passengers' cargo stows in a carpeted trunk that's fitted with an integrated trickle charger.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

• A Backdraft Racing build book
• Roush Performance engine specs
• An official Roush Performance dyno sheet
• A pair of Backdraft Racing fender covers
• A full tonneau cover

There simply aren't that many chances to own a first class sport car – especially at this money. And with its euro-spec chassis, modern 5-speed and Roush-designed engine, this Cobra is guaranteed to be a blast to drive. If you're looking to add a little fire to your arsenal, just open the garage and unleash this Backdraft!