1965 Shelby Cobra Backdraft RT4 Test Drive: 550 HP Roush Power

Overview of the Backdraft Cobra RT4

• 🚗 This is a 1965 Shelby Cobra Backdraft RT4 presented in a gorgeous maroon color with faint metallic flake, featuring black stripes with similar metallic accents.
• 💡 The RT4 model boasts an upgraded rear suspension and is powered by a Roush powerplant producing 550 horsepower.
• 🛣️ With only 160 miles on the odometer, this Cobra is nearly new and designed for exhilarating drives, not just car shows.

Interior and Exterior Features

• ✨ The interior features red stitching and is designed for comfort, including a shelf in the back and a drop foot box, catering to larger or taller drivers.
• 🏁 Old-school Goodyear Eagle race car stickers adorn the tires, adding to the vintage aesthetic.
• 🛡️ Expel protection is applied to the hips to prevent chipping from road debris thrown by the front tires.
• 🧳 The trunk offers ample space for a cooler, and the passenger seat can accommodate golf clubs for a day out.

Backdraft Construction and Vanguard Motor Sales

• 🏭 Backdraft Cobras are built in a factory where the body, paint, suspension, electrical, and plumbing are assembled before the motor and transmission are installed.
• 🛠️ Vanguard Motor Sales, located in the Motor City, has extensive facilities with 25 lifts and 15 mechanics, ensuring thorough inspections of all vehicles.
• 🤝 Vanguard Motor Sales owns all of its inventory and does not deal in consignment, meticulously sourcing cars by inspecting them thoroughly inside and out.

Performance and Driving Experience

• 🔊 The car is equipped with a Roush 427 stroker motor, based on a 351 Windsor block, delivering 550 horsepower and an amazing sound.
• ⚙️ It features a 5-speed transmission allowing for quieter cruising at lower RPMs.
• 🛣️ The driving experience is smooth, with the car tracking straight down the road, and the sound of the engine is a significant highlight.

Underneath the Cobra

• 🔩 The underside appears brand new, featuring an aluminum tank with beautiful TIG welds and an upgraded RT4 suspension.
• 🔧 It includes an 8.8 U rear end with a 355 gear, disc brakes, and fully adjustable coilovers for ride height and suspension tuning.
• 🔌 The car is equipped with a TMIC 5-speed transmission, explosion-proof bell housing, hydraulic clutch, and a Roush 427 engine with an extra capacity pan.
• 💨 It also features BMW suspension, disc brakes up front, power rack and pinion steering, and an electric fan on the aluminum radiator.
• 💎 The wheels are true knockoffs with locking mechanisms, reminiscent of classic designs, paired with 245/40R18 tires in the front and 295/40R18 in the rear.

Engine Details

• 🚀 The Roush 427 is a stroker motor, bored out to 427 cubic inches from a 351 Windsor block, producing 550 horsepower.
• 💡 The engine bay is clean, with aluminum components, chrome, and stainless steel accents, and features power steering, power brakes, a Holly dual-feed carburetor with vacuum secondaries, and an electric choke.