Autoblog

Quick Spin: Superformance MKIII R Cobra kickstarts our hearts

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Quick Spin

Superformance MKIII R Cobra - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's mea culpa time. While it's probably best not to begin a review with an apology, I'd be fairly derelict in my auto bloggin' duty if I didn't admit that not only does this review represent my first time in a Cobra - ever - but that I went in wanting to love the car. After all, not only is the Cobra Daytona Coupe the single greatest car I've ever driven, but I'm what you might call a Shelby-head. At least once a week my fiancee is hollering at me to put one of my several Shelby books back in the bookcase. But still, before today, I'd never driven a Cobra.

Of course, purists will argue I still haven't. This gun metal gray beauty wasn't built on Princeton Ave. in Venice Beach. Nor was it built at Shelby America's hanger near LAX. In fact, it wasn't even built in America. No, this particular Cobra - the Superformance MKIII R, a special version of their MKIII - is built in South Africa. Recently, too. The MKIII R actually has a modern, square-tube spaceframe chassis with different hard points and suspension than you'd find underneath a classic Cobra's skin. Perhaps it's not a "real" Cobra, but here's what Carroll Shelby has to say about Superformance's efforts, "It's not a true Shelby, but I've endorsed and licensed the car for being as close to correct and well-built as possible." Good enough for me.

Gallery: Quick Spin: Superformance MKIII-R

Continue reading Quick Spin: Superformance MKIII R Cobra kickstarts our hearts

Quick Spin: Superformance MKIII R Cobra kickstarts our hearts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From Cobra to Corvette: Superformance to introduce 1963 Grand Sport replica

Drew Phillips — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Chevrolet

Superformance 1963 Corvette Grand Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite its relatively short list of on-track achievements, the original 1963 Corvette Grand Sport is arguably Chevrolet's most iconic racecar. Built to compete with the likewise-iconic Cobra, the Grand Sport dominated the Shelby when the two went head-to-head, but the program was axed by General Motors before it would make a significant impact on motorsports. Still, the five chassis have become coveted collector cars and command prices into the multi-millions of dollars.

While the privilege of owning an original Corvette Grand Sport is limited to just a fortunate few, Superformance is now offering the next best thing. The SoCal-based company is perhaps best known for their Cobra and GT40 replicas, but a new licensing agreement with GM has opened doors to produce a Corvette Grand Sport model that will be available as either a coupe or convertible. Customers will also have the option of a street or race version (pictured).

As with their GT40, Superformance have gone to great lengths to insure that the Grand Sport is as identical to the original as possible. They even acquired the original blueprints and molds to one of the original race cars to produce accurate components. Powertrain options will be nearly endless, as the engine bay has been designed to accept most of the GM Performance Parts crate engines. Hit the jump for the official press release from Superformance, or check out the high-res gallery of the Superformance Grand Sport race car below.

Gallery: Superformance Corvette Grand Sport

[Source: Superformance]

Continue reading From Cobra to Corvette: Superformance to introduce 1963 Grand Sport replica

From Cobra to Corvette: Superformance to introduce 1963 Grand Sport replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, First Drive, Specialty, Quick Spin

Superformance GT40 MkI - Click above for high-res image gallery

As much as we enjoy piloting modern machinery, there's something special about vintage vehicles, and that something is the pure, unvarnished connection between man and machine. But it's not always good. Things get dicey when the driving experience is a little too vintage. Despite our supreme adoration of the racing greats of yesteryear, clawing at the wheel, pulverizing the brake pedal, dumping buckets of sweat onto the leather seat and having our sphincter perform kegels isn't always our preferred flavor of fun. Some days, we're just not that hardcore. So the vintage vehicles we've come to love most aren't genuinely vintage at all - they're classic bodies wrapped around modern mechanicals. The Rizk RA is a prime example, and now there's this: the Superformance GT40 MkI, a car so raw that if it were edible, they'd slap "organic" on it and sell it at Whole Foods.

Gallery: Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 Mk1

Continue reading Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious

Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shelby on Steroids: The Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition

Drew Phillips — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Shelby

Shelby Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Shelby Daytona Coupe is without a doubt one of the greatest cars in American motorsports history. With an aerodynamic body designed by Peter Brock good for 196 mph, Carroll's Ferrari-slayer dominated the 1965 race season on its way to win the FIA GT World Championship - the first and only American car to achieve the feat. While getting your hands on one of the original six racecars will cost a pretty penny, there is a much more affordable solution.

Southern California-based Exotic Auto Restoration has come up with a unique interpretation of the legendary Shelby named the Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition. Based on the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe built by Superformance (also designed by Peter Brock), the Le Mans Edition package gets an extra dose of testosterone thanks to fender flares, wider 18-inch wheels and tires, heavy-duty suspension, billet aluminum hood vents, Alcantara seating, brushed aluminum dash with aircraft-style toggle switches, "Daytona Le Mans" gauges, and a suede Momo steering wheel. Powertrain options include any Ford V8 based on the Windsor 351 block, like the 530-horsepower Roush 402R in the car pictured.

If you're in the mood for a racier Daytona Coupe, Exotic Auto Restoration is also offering a track-oriented version that also gets a 6-point roll cage, A/C and carpet delete, quick-release steering wheel, upgraded brakes, carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser, Shelby aluminum block 427ci V8 with 560 horsepower, and more. Only six will be built, however, to commemorate the six original racecars. See full details in the press release after the jump, and try not to drool on your keyboard when viewing the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Shelby Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition

[Source: Exotic Auto Restoration]

Continue reading Shelby on Steroids: The Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition

Shelby on Steroids: The Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Yokohama tire dealers compete in blackjack tournament to win Superformance MkIII Cobra

Drew Phillips — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Marketing/Advertising

Click above for a high-res gallery of Yokohama's Superformance MkIII Cobra

While many tire manufacturers are cutting back at SEMA this year (come on Michelin, where's our supercar display?), others are pushing forward with new products and generating lots of excitement. Yokohama decided to try positive reinforcement with its dealers and set up a blackjack tournament for its top retailers with the grand prize being a brand new Superformance MkIII Cobra replica worth $70,000. The car comes complete with Yokohama S.drive tires, 245/35R19 front and 285/30R20 rear as well as a Roush 327ci V8 with 425 horsepower. We didn't stay long enough to see who won the tournament, but we do know that at least one Yokohama tire dealer will leave Las Vegas very, very happy.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Yokohama gives away Superformance MkIII Cobra

SEMA 2008: Yokohama tire dealers compete in blackjack tournament to win Superformance MkIII Cobra originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Superformance teams up with Roush for special edition MKIII-R roadster

Drew Phillips — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, ROUSH

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.

Gallery: Roush/Superformance Special Edition MKIII-R

[Source: Superformance]

Continue reading Superformance teams up with Roush for special edition MKIII-R roadster

Superformance teams up with Roush for special edition MKIII-R roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shelby Distribution to offer aluminum-bodied Daytona Coupe

Drew Phillips — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Shelby

The Shelby Daytona Coupe is the embodiment of classic American motorsports. The only problem is that putting a genuine Daytona Coupe in the garage is nearly impossible. There are only a handful in the world, and the price tag would be in the millions of dollars (if you could find an owner willing to part with one). A few years ago, Superformance and Peter Brock, the original designer of the Daytona Coupe, created a modern replica version that made owning the legendary race car much more affordable. Now, Shelby Distribution has announced it will offer an aluminum-bodied version of that same coupe. Like the Shelby CSX4000 and Commemorative GT40 continuation vehicles, the Daytona Coupe will be listed in the Shelby Registry. In addition to the new skin, the Daytona Coupe also features an updated suspension system that will be shared with the upcoming MkII version of the Superformance Coupe. You can check out a gallery of the aluminum bodied prototype under construction below, as well as the current Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupe.

Gallery: Superformance Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe

Gallery: Aluminum-bodied Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe prototype

[Source: Shelby Distribution]

Shelby Distribution to offer aluminum-bodied Daytona Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caroll Shelby takes delivery of paddle-shifter-equipped Superformance Daytona Coupe

Drew Phillips — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Shelby

Click the image above for a high resolution gallery

You might expect that Carroll Shelby has quite a collection of cars. He's even put up a few for sale recently, including his personal 1969 GT500 Convertible that he's owned since new at Barrett-Jackson this year and the unique Cobra Supersnake that sold for $5,000,000 at last year's auction. A few years ago Shelby also auctioned off one of the six original Daytona Coupes that he had owned for more than twenty years. He must have missed it in the garage, because he requested that Superformance build him one of their new Daytona Coupes. Designed by Peter Brock, the same man who penned the original, this modern version of the Cobra Coupe retains the wonderful shape of the original while offering some creature comforts not found in the race car. Carroll's personal car, which was delivered to him this week, features the "Guardsman Blue" paint scheme of the original cars as well as the #98 that on the car he previously owned. Unique to the car is a one-off paddle-shift transmission designed by MasterShift mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Power comes from a 427SR Roush crate engine pushing out nearly 500 horsepower. Follow the jump for the press release and check out the gallery below of the car you wish you owned.

Gallery: Carroll Shelby's Superformance Daytona Coupe

[Source: Shelby Distribution USA]

Continue reading Caroll Shelby takes delivery of paddle-shifter-equipped Superformance Daytona Coupe

Caroll Shelby takes delivery of paddle-shifter-equipped Superformance Daytona Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New trio of Superformance MkII GT40s celebrates Shelby and 1966 Le Mans victory

Drew Phillips — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Supercars, Shelby

Click above for high-res gallery of the Superformance MkII GT40

Perhaps the greatest achievement of Americans in motorsports is winning the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford and Shelby brought home not only the overall victory, but the Ford GT40 captured the top three spots. It was a resounding victory for an American team with an American car.

Those wanting to play the role of Ken Miles or Bruce McLaren have a cheaper alternative than purchasing one of the three original GT40s that made a photo finish at Le Mans. Superformance and Shelby Distribution USA have created a Shelby 85th Commemorative MkII GT40 celebrating Shelby's birthday and the 1966 victory that can be ordered in the same paint schemes as those top three GT40s. Lest you think this is a mere replicar, the Superformance GT40 is 90% interchangeable with the original race car. Both street and race versions are available, with power coming from a Shelby-branded Roush V8 crate motor. Only 85 of each color will be produced, and each will be included in the Shelby Registry. Follow the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Superformance GT40 MkII

[Source: Shelby Distribution USA]

Continue reading New trio of Superformance MkII GT40s celebrates Shelby and 1966 Le Mans victory

New trio of Superformance MkII GT40s celebrates Shelby and 1966 Le Mans victory originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shelby Heaven: Superformance opens new showroom

Drew Phillips — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Shelby

We are big fans of Superformance, makers of the Cobra, Daytona Coupe, and GT40 replicas that have the blessing (and licensing agreement) of Carroll Shelby. When we heard they were opening up a new showroom in Irvine, CA, we had to go check it out ourselves. Superformance has actually been in the same building for the past few years, so the location is nothing new. However, they recently decided to knock down a few walls so that they could store their beautiful and wickedly fast eye candy in something more presentable to the public. On to the photos - check out the huge gallery of photos below and pick out your dream car.

Gallery: Superformance Showroom

Shelby Heaven: Superformance opens new showroom originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Superformance rebuilds the original GT40 to spec

John Neff — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:12:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Supercars

Most kit cars we come across are near faithful representations of their muse. Unfortunately, there's always something a little off about the design that doesn't quite match up with the way we remember the original, and nearly always they're only skin deep, offering up merely the appearance of authenticity with the substance of something much lesser. Superformance, the producers of the best Cobra and Cobra Daytona Coupes replicas in the business, builds something a little more than a "kit car". All of its products are complete factory manufactured rollers minus an engine and transmission. This allows the company to bust a fat right around complex emissions and safety regulations by classifying their products as kit cars, though obviously they're so much more.

One of Superformance's current products is its most ambitious ever: a GT40 so realistic and faithful to the original that it's currently being evaluated for historic racing eligibility. What you're looking at is not a modern tube-frame chassis shrink wrapped in a fiberglass body; the Superformance GT40 MkII has a super rigid steel monocoque chassis that's covered in an all-steel body, just like the original MKIIs that made Enzo weep. Nearly everything is just like the original, right down to the "Gurney bump" in the roof. Of course, concessions were made in some areas in the interests of durability, weight savings and safety, but 90% of the parts are interchangeable with the original GT40 MkII, which is amazing. Most notable differences from the source car include the addition of air conditioning and more modern brakes, along with the fact it comes from the factory as LHD instead of RHD. Since it comes without an engine and transmission, you can drop in any engine that fits, but Superformance recommends a ROUSH 427 motor producing 530 horsepower.

The Superformance GT40 MkII looks as good today as it did back then, although it doesn't hurt being photographed by the excellent snapper, Drew Philips, of Fast-Autos.net. Check out the read link to see a full gallery of shots and read Drew's writeup after driving the GT40 MkII on the street.

[Source: Fast-Autos.net]

Superformance rebuilds the original GT40 to spec originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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