superformance le mans coupe

Everybody knows the AC Cobra, most would know its racing pedigree, but few know that in 1959 the Cobra's aerodynamics became an issue if it were to compete successfully against newer, more slippery opponents. Carol Shelby developed only 6 Daytona Coupe's in conjunction with designer Peter Brock based on the Cobra chassis. It became an instant success, thrashing Ferrari in the GT Championship.

40 years later, the South African company responsible for the Noble bodywork, sought to revive this piece of Automotive history and with a little persuasion, employed the services of Peter Brock. Although on the outside the Superformance Coupe resembles the original, every dimension is different. The Chassis, bodywork and interior are all a new development, even the carb fed Ford V8 engine pushes out 130BHP more than the original, but its design is sympathetic to the original.

I am fortunate enough to have experienced this Superformance Coupe from the comfort of the passenger seat, and can say it ticks all the boxes for me and then some. You get the feeling of being a part of history, but with the comfort and grunt that only modern engineering can bring. Don't confuse this car with a kit car, the build quality is superb as its price tag would suggest. From the factory, the side pipes are for show only which I originally thought to be a waste. However shortly after taking possession this Coupe was modified to remove the back box and bring those pipes to life. Just he way it should be I thought, although it then becomes loud. Very loud. Maybe a little too loud.

Because this car is a reproduction of a sixties icon, the balloon tyres and set up do not give the reassurance that a modern day Ferrari or Lamborghini offer. But then that was not the point of the car. It handles extremely well, but requires full attention at all times as it has no computer aided devices to make sure you exit that corner as confidently as you entered it. Something that may only suit a handful of enthusiasts. Unfortunately the owner of this car missed the luxuries of Lamborghini, so I have to sadly say that with only a few thousand miles under its belt, this car has moved to a new home. I hope the new owner is grinning as much as I would.

Mark Borthwick
February 2007