The Kei to a Good Time: Pint-sized Shelby Cobra replica from Japan

Shelby Cobra. A mere mention of the beast is enough to send enthusiasts' hearts aflutter and cause the minds of those lucky enough to have piloted such a beast to reel with fast-paced memories. Unless, of course, you are talking about the untold gallons of fuel the (up to) 7.0-liter V8 engines of these venomous snakes guzzle.

But does it have to be that way? Is is possible to have your cake and eat it too? Well, that depends on what exactly you are looking to recreate. If you're feeling a real need for speed and nothing but a fire-breathing monster will do, we have bad news for you. But, if you just want to look like you're piloting a vintage race car, you may be in luck.

In standard form (which isn't very cheap at over $40,000 U.S. or £27,724), the so-called Baby Cobra from Japan is powered by a tiny 660cc engine (yes, that's less than a tenth of the size of the original 427 cubic incher with fewer than half as many cylinders) yanked from a Suzuki Cappuccino microcar.

A hefty options list can reportedly drive that price much higher into the stratosphere, but something tells us even the turbocharged, 720cc mill with 158 horsepower will still post significantly improved fuel efficiency over its forebearer. Yes, it's completely ridiculous... and yes, we're completely smitten with it.

Better get yours now before Shelby's crack legal team gets wind of this thing...

[Source: Baby Cobra via Auto Express]