Filed under: Time Warp, Convertibles, ROUSH
Superformance teams up with Roush for special edition MKIII-R roadster
Click above for a high resolution gallery of the Special Edition MKIII-R
Sometimes good things come in small packages. Other times, they come with a Roush 427 IR crate motor pumping out 576 horsepower. Superformance, the only Shelby-licensed producer of Cobra kit cars, has teamed up with Roush for a special edition version of their MKIII replicar that features the aforementioned 427ci V8 as well as several other Roush components. In addition to standard features like TIG welded ladder frame chassis, independent front and rear suspension, fiberglass body, and Wilwood brakes, the MKIII-R gets custom Cobra seats with four-point harnesses, black chrome trim, Roush floor mats and short throw shifter, custom Roush-engraved wind wings, and a unique Monza Red paint scheme with silver stripes and black pin stripes. The package is now on sale and will be sold as an upgrade for the standard MKIII chassis. Full details in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Superformance]
PRESS RELEASE:
The Question:
What happens when you take the most sought after 1965 licensed reproduction Cobra replica and shoehorn in an engine built by a company that has more Ford wins than any other manufacture?
The Answer:
You get the Roush/Superformance Special Edition MKIII-R!
The Project:
The Roush/Superformance Special Edition MKIII-R was built specifically to tour the country and represent the bread and butter of what Roush Performance Engines and Superformance LLC have to offer. The plan was to build a one off display vehicle, but the project's high interest quickly changed everyone's mind and suddenly the car was slated for production. The Special Edition car was introduced to the public at the 2007 SEMA show in Las Vegas Nevada. The MKIII-R showed the public what it has always wanted to see - two industry leaders working together to produce the best of both worlds, a stunning double diamond with the roar of a lion under the hood. A car that is truly pleasing to all of your senses!
Now Available for Purchase:
The Roush components will be available as an upgrade package that will be sold separately from the standard Superformance MKIII roadster. The interior features a set of Roush embroidered leather seats, unique gauges, billet short-throw shifter, Roush embroidered floor mats, dual gauge pod, and a serialized plaque. Customers can choose from a variety of Roush crate motors including the 427 IR V8 that is dyno tested at 576 horsepower and comes with a 2-year/24,000 mile warranty.
The Players:
Superformance LLC, the leader in "Licensed Reproduction" replica and continuation component chassis of the 1960's. As one of the first players in the industry, Superformance has over 20 independent dealers throughout the world including Europe, Africa, and Australia. Superformance has earned the reputation of being the best through their relentless attention to detail, quality, craftsmanship, fit, finish, and customer service. Superformance teamed with Hi-Tech Automotive RSA (the world's largest specialty car production facility with more than 600 craftsmen and associated employees in their 400,000 square foot build facility located in South Africa) has built over 4000 rolling component chassis to date.
Roush Performance Engines, a division of Roush Industries and better known to the general public as Roush Fenway Racing has been producing complete performance crate "street engines" since 2003 and currently has over 15 different combinations from mild to wild to choose from.
Hillbank Motor Corporation is Southern California's Superformance licensed reproduction replica and Shelby continuation vintage racing and component chassis dealer. Hillbank has the largest selection and inventory of complete "turn-key minus" MKIII's, Cobras, Daytona Coupes, and GT40's on the West Cost and is a premier retailer of the top name brand and genuine aftermarket American Muscle performance parts & accessories.
Exotic Auto Restorations is a well respected installation center for Hillbank Motor Corp. Exotic specializes in custom fabrication of classic vintage race cars, early & late model Mustangs, and show quality vehicles. Owner, George Cunha and his crew have over 26 years of experience in and around the custom fabrication and restoration industry. Exotic holds numerous awards with their show winning cars and has recently been seen on Hot Rod TV.
The Journey:
Hillbank Motor Corp collected all the pieces of this performance puzzle and began to align the stars for this new venture. Once the pieces were all collected, Hillbank called on Exotic Automotive Restorations to masterfully assemble the dream car!
The MKIII-R started its journey in South Africa, where it was built completely minus the engine and transmission by Hi Tech Automotive RSA and shipped Hillbank Motor Corp. After 5 weeks on the water it arrived at Hillbank and was quickly sent over to Exotic where it began the transformation process.
The Exotic crew first removed all of the chrome factory trim pieces including the windshield, hood and trunk latches, headlight rings, quick jacks, all the way down to the Tonneau cover rivets and roll bar and sent them out to be coated in a black chrome finish. With the help of our sponsors (Roush, GTP, Wilwood Engineering, Tremec, American Racing, Sube Sport, Michelin USA, and Snake Power Performance) this vehicle was well on its way to its new transformation!
Specs:
- 2007 Superformance MKIII chassis
- Monza red paint with dark silver Le Mans stripes and black pin stripes
- Independent Suspension
- Limited slip differential
- Billstein shocks and custom H & R springs
- GTP sway bars
- Heavy duty TIG welded ladder frame chassis with crumple zones
- Custom Wilwood upgraded power- assisted vented disc brakes. 4 pot calipers
- Heater and defogger
- American Racing 18" pin drive wheels
- Hand laminated fiberglass body with reinforcing inserts
- Original style Smith gauges
- Original style Lucas switches
- Safe Craft fire suppression system
- Ceramic coated headers and side pipes
- Custom floor mats
- Custom Roush engraved wind wings
- Cobra seats with custom embroidery
- 4 point harness seat belts
- Black chrome trim
- Tri pod head lamps
- Soft top and tonneau cover
- Stainless steel 17 gallon pressure tested fuel tank
- Roush 427 IR dry sump motor:
o 576 HP
o 2 year/24,000 mile warranty
o Hard coat anodized billet covers
o Tremec 5 speed transmission
o Oil cooler and braided hoses
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ketel1 5:15PM (10/27/2008)
Wow that is wicked. I've always had a soft spot for Cobra's...
Thanks for the new background Autoblog!!
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Chad 7:13PM (10/27/2008)
Holy! Gorgeous!
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Frank 7:33PM (10/27/2008)
What's with the funky looking bumper. Then again it is a concept.
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imirk 7:41PM (10/27/2008)
um concept? WTF? It's a replica of a 1960's classic, the "bumper" is called a quick jack and is from the originals
MajorGeek 7:42PM (10/27/2008)
Does look nice, have they found a way to get in and out of it because the usual Cobra cars are harder then a Viper to get in and out of.
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f3rg 8:05PM (10/27/2008)
I've always wanted to do a Cobra kit of my own... with a Honda 4-cyl. I know, I deserve to die for that, but I still want to make a lightweight, high g-force, high-MPG roadster.
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BoxerFanatic 9:00PM (10/27/2008)
And an S2000 is harder to do that with, HOW?
I am getting bored with all of the Cobra replicas. It was an amazing car, but the replication is worse than a virus.
But somehow a honda powered cobra is just wrong, none-the-less.
The S2000 is a fine looking roadster, and it will serve that purpose. Or a Miata, especially an original NA.
f3rg 9:04PM (10/27/2008)
BoxerFanatic: build/buy what you want; like I really give a crap what you think.
Paul P. 9:46PM (10/27/2008)
I had the idea to put a Jeep 4.0L engine in a Cobra replica body. The original AC Ace came with a straight six, so I don't think it would be much of a heresy to put one back in it. It's a durable and inexpensive engine as well, so I think it would be pretty good to beat up on the track. The only downside I could see it is isn't meant to be a high revving motor out of the box, but I'm sure it probably could be made to rev a bit higher with some aftermarket work and still retain plenty of reliability.
BoxerFanatic 11:10PM (10/27/2008)
You can do what you want. And if you post it in a public place, be prepared for alternate opinions, that can also be publicly posted.
But if you want to spend a lot of money making something that already exists... have fun. Still sounds about as pointless as it did the first time you mentioned it.
Anthony 11:11PM (10/27/2008)
Why would you build a Cobra kit with a 4 or 6 cyl engine? I hear a Cobra long before I see it and that's part of the magic of the car. While most car geeks would give you some respect for being "different" I doubt it would go over well with most people.
Also given the expense of getting any Cobra kit, I agree why not start with a used S2000 or 2nd gen Miata. The Miata for one has a huge aftermarket and with a turbo kit or one of the now rare Whipple based intercooled supercharger kit make plenty of power to beat just about anything around a decent sized track.
On something where a normal Cobra can open things up, you won't stand a chance....
Also you forget that the Cobra for the day was one of the better handling cars with a small block Ford under the hood, not the FE based big block (Roush engine is a small block stroked Windsor) with all the advances in spring and shock technology, its a very flat handling car in 21st Century form and is very close to 50/50 already (60/40 I believe).
My problem is most kit cars are designed for people that can afford to burn up $30-40K on a car. Sure you can get a Factory Five kit and use all 5.0L Mustang hardware but it would look kind of bucket-ish if you can't afford the Halibrand copies for example or if you lift the hood and see a funky Ford 5.0L H.O intake manifold staring at you.
There are far more affordable kit cars in Europe...
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Paul P. 2:13AM (10/28/2008)
It's like anything, people want to be different. They like the Cobra body style, but they don't want to have the same setup everyone and their brother has done already. It's worth it to try something new, especially since it's a replica and not a real original, so you don't have to return it to original condition to retain the value/history. It's basically a clean slate and you can try whatever you think might work out and be fun.
Worst comes to worst, if your idea doesn't work you can just spend some more money and build it a different way. Your only limit is your checkbook.
Another thing too, is a lot of people build replicas just for the fun of building it. Once they build a small block car they had their fun and they sell it, then they might try their hand at a big block car; once they build a big block car, they want to try something else, something new. It's like an adult lego set.
arturo 11:46PM (10/27/2008)
I have never seen such a well executed job in a cobra before. I always wanted a cobra replica that looks classic, but runs like a brand new muscle car. I bet this cobra is a fast one no dough.
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RLQ 1:31AM (10/28/2008)
Do want.
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catgirlshyla 4:25AM (10/28/2008)
Pure Sex.
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GOT 9:59AM (10/28/2008)
Would love to have one of those! Love the AC Cobra. Timeless beauty...
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tom 10:23AM (10/28/2008)
Is the color scheme supposed to imitate the 430 Scuderia?
http://www.madwhips.com/upload/images/f430_scuderia_4-568-426.jpg
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Mark 11:27AM (10/28/2008)
Ok guys... I have a close friend that actually has a Superformance Cobra and all I can tell you is that until you have ridden in one of these you won't appreciate it. All the opinions expressed sound as if they are strictly from an aesthetic perspective. This car is about one thing only. Performance. It was purpose designed for the track and it's 40+ year reputation was built on that. I doubt you'll want to spend 40k on a rolling chassis to install a 2 litre 4 cyl engine and get spanked by Chevy Cobalt SS Turbo, you know?
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Dunc 6:29PM (10/28/2008)
Yeah I agree with Mark. My dad got his superformance replica last year, and its titanium with black stripes, 351 windsor engine bored out to 392, under-car exhaust...real classy car. Anyways its hard to appreciate these cars unless you drive one ;)
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arturo 9:36PM (11/05/2008)
I have never seen such a well executed job in a cobra before. I always wanted a cobra replica that looks classic, but runs like a brand new muscle car. I bet this cobra is a fast one no dough.
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