The Superformance Mk III is the only Cobra replica built under license from Carroll Shelby licensing. They are engineered in the image of the original and are dimensionally and aesthetically correct. Factory built using new parts, they are then delivered to the customer who has the choice of which drivetrain to install. Carroll Shelby said of the Cobra, "It's a massive motor in a tiny lightweight car". Taking the old axe that "there is no replacement for displacement" to heart, a 460-cubic in V8 was shoe-horned into this one.
Meticulous attention to detail in the design and construction of this car shows itself in both obvious ways, and in ways that evoke a feeling that you can't quite explain by pointing to something. Fit and finish and the quality of the paint obviously live up to the Superformance reputation for first class workmanship. You can point to things like the way the Aeroquip lines run to the oil cooler in the huge grill and to the rivets in the hood. Side pipes are a way to get the car lower to the ground by not having to fit a massive exhaust system underneath the car. And talk about evoking a feeling? The sound of those pipes from both the inside the car, or as a bystander, gets your heart pounding! Massive fender flares, the hood scoop, racing stripes, roll bar and knock off wheels true to the original Halibrands, all add up to produce one of the most recognizable limited production cars of all time.
Reach inside and pull the lever to open the door. You will find an interior that is simple as is appropriate for a race car but finished and appointed nicely as is appropriate for a street car. Have a seat in the simple leather bucket and grab a hold of that wooden three spoke wheel with the Cobra center. You will notice that there are a few unique things in this interior. The gauges are laid out differently. Oil, water, and tachometer are obviously the most important things to keep track of during a race, so are right in the driver's line of sight. Three more gauges sit off to the right, just over a speedometer that operates backwards just like it did in the original cars. The shifter is also a bit different with it forward tilt, but it works great and using it becomes second nature in no time. There is a cockpit cover that looks awesome when it is snapped in place, and a soft top that can be used to keep the weather out.
Open the hood and you will find a neat and clean and small engine bay. Shoe horned into it is a massive motor. 460 cubic inches of big block torque. It is topped by a chrome air filter and fed by a Holley 4bbl carb working through an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold. Finned aluminum valve covers with Cobra script help a bit with oil cooling and look great. Dual electric fans on the radiator keep temperatures under control. Power is sent back through a 5-speed manual transmission to a limited slip differential. A fully independent coil over shock suspension system offers great handling on the street, and if you have the urge to take this car out on track, it's adjustable so that you can optimize corner weights and ride height. Massive, Willwood 4-wheel disc brakes will haul this car down from speed in a hurry. The rubber meets the road through 275/60R15 tires in the rear, and 255/60R15s in the front, mounted on those awesome center spin wheels.
If you have ever had the desire to own one of these cars, check this one out. It is true to the original and the build quality is second to none.