Frame Off Built Backdraft Shelby Cobra Roush 427 550 HP

If you're a roadster enthusiast, you already know Backdraft Racing is special. Unlike most Cobra producers, BDR isn't hamstrung by Ol' Shel's history; and while they do seek to honor his prized creation, they also want to continue his legacy through carefully planned adaptations of modern technology. The result is a world-class entity which builds some of the best looking, best performing Cobras on the market. And with just 687 miles on its 427 cubic inch Roush small block and modern Tremec 5-speed, this stunning Backdraft roadster is essentially a brand new car that's just completed its break-in time. If you're in the market for a fresh twist on an old favorite, forget about project cars pieced together from leftovers; and forget about fiberglass builds that exist only to duplicate their outdated aluminum predecessors. What you need is this razor-sharp BDR Cobra that's reliable, fully-sorted and ready to rock and roll!

From their inception Backdraft cars are turn-key products that are developed and engineered to look like an authentic aluminum Cobra yet STILL out-perform pretty much anything on the street. The assembly of this car'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 gel coating was complete, the body 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, a clean basecoat was covered in three layers of ChemSpec clearcoat, baked and cured for three days, and finally, flattened and polished to a head turning shine. Today, looking brilliant in its bright white paint and Shelby Blue stripes, this slick BDR roadster is a sophisticated build which exhibits twice the style and twice the race-bred DNA of a typical replicar boulevard cruiser.

Detailing is critical on a Cobra replica, and this is where a lot of cars start to disappoint. Fortunately, you can tell the overall impression of one of these roadsters from about 5 feet away. And naturally, since were featuring it, this Cobra hits all the right visuals! Up front, a sculpted and re-angled nose hangs bright halogen headlights above satin trimmed, bullet-style parking lights and familiar polished quick lifts. At the sides of those quick lifts, vertical bug screens border a massive radiator opening; and at the top of those quick lifts, a smooth fiberglass hood props a small scoop between traditional rivets and brand new locking latches. At the top of the car, a black canvas roof latches down over a tight tonneau cover, a polished 304 stainless roll bar and a tinted and chrome trimmed windshield that's fronted by bright stainless wipers and flanked by a full complement of visors and wind wings. At the sides of the car, polished 304 stainless side pipes hang below functional, finned aluminum air extractors, a chrome bullet-style racing mirror and a traditional Monza-style fuel filler. And at the back of the car, satin trimmed tail lights combine with a chrome tag light to illuminate a traditional locking trunk handle and a second pair of polished quick lifts.

The emblems on the sides of this roadster's slick body scream “427”; and under its hood, you'll find a hot Roush Performance small block that does NOT disappoint! Built from the ground up as your ticket to major power and killer speed, this stout mill utilizes an iron block, a steel crank, a roller cam, H-beam connecting rods and forged pistons to create a dyno-proven 487 horsepower and a mind boggling 518 lb./ft. of torque. At the top of that smooth engine, a Roush Cobra Jet-style air cleaner mixes fresh oxygen with 93 octane pump gas via a large Holley 4-barrel carburetor and an Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake. That intake is bolted between lightweight aluminum heads which prop attractive Roush valve covers over mild steel headers that are ceramic coated for longevity. Fire is provided by an MSD Blaster SS high output coil which is connected to an MSD Pro-Billet distributor and high performance Roush 9mm plug wires. Cooling comes courtesy of a heavy duty radiator which circulates water past a large electric puller fan and a polished stainless overflow tank via polished stainless water tubes and a polished Weiand water pump. And at the front of the block, a modern serpentine system spins chrome pulleys in front of a slick Powermaster alternator and a chrome power steering pump. Aesthetically, the hot engine looks right at home in the car's mirror-like engine bay; and well-planned details like a chrome breather, a full set of FPS hoses and a chrome fuel pump are both functional and appealing.

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 new 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 becomes a BDR 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 high performance threshold and will humiliate much more expensive hardware all while making you feel like a hero. Brakes are massive discs at all four corners that, thanks to this car's featherweight construction, are absolutely impervious to fade on the street, no matter how hard you're running. And there's simply nothing that looks better on a Cobra than a set of Halibrand-style wheels which spin aggressive 245/40/17 front and 315/35/17 rear Goodyear Eagle F1 radials around genuine knock offs.

A set of nicely stitched black leather buckets, which are complete with four-point Crow Enterprizes harnesses, form the foundation of this roadster's interior; and they're a massive upgrade over the shells you'll find in both original Cobras and most other replicas. In front of those seats the white and blue dash, which is covered in blue-stitched vinyl trim, hangs a full assortment of electric VDO gauges between a chrome rearview mirror, and switches for the car's lights and wipers. At the sides of those seats, traditional Cobra fiberglass doors have been fitted with leather map pockets, leather handle straps and fresh chrome latches. And at the bottom of those seats high grade carpet, which is protected by color-keyed Backdraft Racing floor mats, frames billet foot pedals, a blue-stitched emergency brake handle and an attractive BDR shifter. In front of the driver, a stylish Teak steering wheel spins around a polished steering column; and behind the driver, a fully finished trunk includes both an onboard trickle charger and a surprisingly large amount of storage space.

The sale of this awesome BDR Cobra includes a Backdraft Racing build book, Roush Performance engine specifications, an official dyno sheet, the aforementioned tonneau cover and a high quality car cover.

Professionally finished, sinister to look at and frighteningly fast, this Backdraft roadster delivers on all the promises made by its super clean appearance. When it comes to replica cars, craftsmanship is the number one issue; and quality engineering on both the manufacturer and assembler side is crucial for a product that will persevere as long as you want to tear up the road. If you're looking for a reliable, fully-sorted thrill machine that's just as happy on the express way as it is on the straightaway, you've found your next car!