Superformance Le Mans Coupe

Mention the name Peter Brock to an Aussie motorsport fan and you'll evoke images of multiple Bathurst victories. Mention the same name to an American revhead and you're likely to get a similarly emotive response, but for a different reason.

As a young car designer in the mid 1960s, Pete Brock (no relation to our Brocky) was instructed by Carroll Shelby to develop a sleek new, hardtop version of the Cobra roadster. The goal was to build a faster, more aerodynamic racer to keep up with the all-conquering Ferrari GTOs down the long straights of Le Mans.

The Cobra Daytona coupe went on to dominate the 1964-65 World GT championships but with only six ever built, they're a rare and expensive proposition today.

Fast forward 40 years and Pete Brock has again waved his magic wand, this time over the design of a South-African built recreation of the '64 Daytona. Although slightly larger than the original the fibreglass-bodied Superformance Le Mans Coupe has no panels in common with but is a dead ringer for the '60s legend.

The interior is all '60s American muscle car too, including sculpted leather pews, suede-style trim, Mota-Lita steering wheel and aviation-look instrument panel with a smattering of chrome-rimmed Stewart Warner dials, switches and toggles.

But that's pretty much where the retro theme ends, with a race-inspired spaceframe chassis, double wishbone independent suspension and HSV-spec PBR brakes bringing this replica right in to the 21st century.

Other concessions to modernity include air-con and remote keyless locks, while overall fit and finish is a vast improvement over the original.

Slide into the snug cockpit and finding a comfy position is a cinch, even for taller drivers, with a deep footwell and seat that adjusts right back. You sit close to the ground, but just high enough to peer over the long, curvy bonnet with all its seductive gapes and bulges. A twist of the key and the Ford '351' fuel-injected Windsor V8 erupts into life, settling into a nice, lumpy idle.

With just 1280kg to propel acceleration from the 261kW V8 is brisk, to say the least, the only thing impeding progress somewhat the recalcitrant Tremec T56 six-speed shifter. Fortunately heaps of low-down torque keeps gear changes to a minimum.

The super responsive power-assisted steering helps point the large snout accurately in corners, backed up by strong grip from the meaty tyres and negligible body roll. The ride is firm but not annoyingly so for a track-oriented road car.

It doesn't take long to realise that this car would double as a fast corner-devouring tourer or track day weapon.

Despite its modern underpinnings the Le Mans Coupe remains a good ol' American muscle car at heart; it makes all the right noises, has plenty of grunt and would require a firm, confident hand to fully tame. Like the original it so closely mimics it's destined to be a classic, with only 100 produced so far.

The only real disappointment is that due to local compliance rules any cars sold here will miss out on the monster 373kW/786Nm, Roush 6.6-litre pushrod V8 fitted to most other Coupes. Not that the '351' lacks in grunt, just that the Roush V8 will propel the car to 100km/h in sub-four seconds on to a top speed of 340km/h.

Local importer Victoria-based Cobra Technology Centre is currently working on a road-registrable version using Ford's latest quad-cam V8 (cars are delivered ex-South Africa minus engine and gearbox). The price for a turnkey car is expected to be around $160,000 when CTC achieves ADR compliance later this year.

The Le Mans Coupe is a genuine alternative to more 'mundane' super cars on the market. For those cashed up and desiring an authentic blast from the past, the wait has been worthwhile.
  
Contact: www.cobtech.com.au