Few shapes are as instantly recognizable as a Shelby Cobra, and this one leans hard into the classic formula with British Racing Green paint, white racing stripes, side pipes, knockoff wheels, and a huge V8 stuffed under the hood. According to the Vanguard Motor Sales listing and video, the car is a Backdraft Racing RT4 Cobra powered by a Roush-built 427-cubic-inch stroker, and it is currently offered for $139,900.
This is not an original 1965 Shelby Cobra, but rather a modern recreation built to capture the look and driving experience without requiring genuine-Cobra money. Even so, the specification is serious, with a five-speed manual transmission, adjustable suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, power steering, and a big-block-style engine package capable of delivering the sort of performance buyers expect from a Cobra.
The car has just over 4,000 miles and appears to have been built with both road use and show presentation in mind. Its green metallic paint is paired with white stripes buried beneath the clear coat, while the interior uses a complementary tan color scheme.
Vanguard also notes that this particular RT4 is configured as a “big and tall” version, giving taller drivers more room than they might expect from a traditionally cramped Cobra cockpit.
Roush Built The 427 Stroker
The centerpiece is the Roush-built 427 stroker V8. Vanguard says the engine starts with a 351-based block before gaining a stroker crankshaft to increase displacement to 427 cubic inches.
A Holley four-barrel carburetor handles fuel delivery, complete with vacuum secondaries and an electric choke. Polished plumbing, bright aluminum hardware, and a carefully detailed engine bay give the setup the polished appearance expected from a high-end Cobra recreation.
Power is sent through a Tremec five-speed manual transmission with a hydraulic clutch. That extra ratio makes the car considerably more relaxed on the highway than the four-speed gearboxes associated with period Cobras.
The rear end reportedly uses a Ford 8.8-inch differential with 3.55 gearing. Combined with the five-speed transmission, that should offer a useful balance between hard acceleration and manageable cruising rpm.
Backdraft Gave It Serious Chassis Hardware
The RT4 platform is not simply an old-style ladder frame wearing a fiberglass body. Vanguard points out that the suspension is fully adjustable, with coilovers, sway bars, and independent components designed to make the car far more capable than a purely nostalgic replica.
The front uses BMW-derived suspension hardware, while the rear setup is specific to the RT4 rather than the older BMW-based configuration found on some Backdraft models. Power rack-and-pinion steering should also make the car easier to manage at low speeds.
Disc brakes are fitted at all four corners. Given the car’s low weight and substantial power, that is an important upgrade over anything attempting to recreate a 1960s Cobra too literally.
The underside is also presented to a high standard, with painted frame rails, clean aluminum fabrication, and tidy plumbing throughout.
It Looks Exactly Like A Cobra Should
Visually, the car follows the traditional Cobra script almost perfectly. British Racing Green works especially well with the white stripes, and the paint has a subtle metallic finish that gives it more depth than a flat period color.
True knockoff-style wheels, GT40-inspired wheel design, and side-exit exhaust pipes reinforce the vintage race-car character. The latter remain one of the most iconic—and hazardous—Cobra features, since they can become extremely hot after even a short drive.
Inside, the layout stays simple and driver-focused. A wood-rim steering wheel, full instrumentation, four-point harnesses, and a traditional manual shifter keep the experience suitably old-school.
The trunk is also more usable than the exterior proportions suggest, making the car practical enough for weekend trips or even the occasional grocery run if the owner feels brave.
A Cobra Experience Without Genuine Cobra Prices
Original Shelby Cobras occupy a completely different tier of the collector market, with genuine 427 cars often commanding seven-figure prices. A Backdraft RT4 offers a much more attainable way to enjoy the same visual drama and a similarly outrageous power-to-weight experience.
This example adds the appeal of a professionally built Roush engine, low mileage, a striking color combination, and a more accommodating cockpit. It may not carry original Shelby provenance, but for someone who actually wants to drive a Cobra hard, that can be part of the appeal.
Does British Racing Green suit the Cobra better than the traditional blue-and-white combination? And would you choose the five-speed manual or stick with a period-style four-speed? Let us know in the comments.