There are two things that Cobras do really, really well: speed and looks. Arguably the most dramatic shape this side of a Ferrari GTO, the Shelby Cobra is not just an icon of speed, it is THE icon of speed. Nothing looks nastier sitting still and few cars, even today, are faster on the roll. There’s a reason it’s the most replicated car in history, and it isn’t because it has a good-sized trunk. Today, replica Cobra builders are a major industry and you can get them at all price levels. Some are “kits” that can be assembled at home, while others like this Backdraft Racing Cobra, are professionally built by their manufacturers, giving you a properly engineered and beautifully finished car that doesn’t have to worry about the skill level of a home mechanic. The result is a car that is not only insanely fast, but also properly engineered to make it safe (well, it still comes down to the guy behind the wheel). The fact that this one is also drop-dead gorgeous is simply icing on the cake.

If you’re not familiar with Backdraft Racing and the Cobra roadsters they build, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by the quality. In the Cobra replica world, there’s a definite hierarchy, with those replicas being built by Shelby American still living at the very top of the pecking order. Below that, you have the big guys: Superformance, Backdraft Racing, and Factory Five, who turn out both kits and fully finished cars that rival anything built at the best high-end shops around the world. Backdraft Racing is headquartered in South Africa, but they have a full-service facility in Boynton Beach, Florida, which is where this particular RT3 Cobra was finished. That means it was built by the guys who do this for a living and who actually designed the parts, making it one of the highest-quality Cobra replicas we’ve ever seen. And yes, it is horrifyingly fast.

With just 138 miles on the odometer and built in 2016, this is still a brand new car (in fact, it’s still on the MSO, but the new owner will receive a valid Ohio title). You can go to Backdraft Racing’s website and price this car out, and at that point you’ll discover that 138 miles ago, it cost nearly $94,000. Kind of puts the asking price in perspective, doesn’t it? 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. Backdraft uses a 92-inch wheelbase (up two inches over the original) which creates a bit more interior space, but you’ll be hard-pressed to spot it without an original for comparison. 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 gorgeous tan leather interior is probably more luxurious than the original Cobras, but it doesn’t give up authenticity for comfort, and certainly no speed is sacrificed. 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. Lights, wipers, horn, turn signals, they’re all included and fully functional, and there’s a big red kill switch there on the transmission tunnel for safety. It’s all beautifully finished the way only the factory could do it—there’s no way you could duplicate that leather-wrapped dashboard with red stitching at home. It also includes a fully finished trunk and a tan cloth top and side curtains for inclement weather. Truly a no-compromises Cobra roadster.

But the reason you want to own a Cobra is the hardware, and this car delivers big time. 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. It’s what we call a “high risk” test drive. But despite making well over 1 horsepower per cubic inch, it’s reasonably docile, starting quickly and settling into a very lopey idle that sounds amazing through the stainless side pipes. 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. To be honest, we’ve never gone to the floor in this car, as anything more than about ½ or ¾ throttle spins the giant 18-inch rear meats, so be prepared—this sucker will bite you if you’re not at the top of your game. 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. I don’t usually like 18-inch wheels on Cobras, but these lovely Halibrand replicas (they’re real knock-offs—check out the safety wire!) certainly look right. Big 245/40/18 front and 295/40/18 rear Falken performance radials fill the fenders appropriately and offer plenty of stick.

Fully documented with the build manual, warranty papers, component tags, and all the other paperwork that accompanies a Backdraft Cobra, this is a brand new car, ready to rock.

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? ABS, traction control, stability control, all those driving aids have removed us from the elemental thrill of driving. This Cobra brings it all back in a very big way and reminds you that the guys who raced these cars back in the day were truly heroic. If you want attention and respect on the street, nothing delivers like a Cobra, and nobody will care that it’s a fake once they hear those side pipes snarling, spitting, and roaring. The best Cobra replica we’ve ever seen, ready to go. Call now!