2001 Gardner Douglas GD427 Cobra  Registration Number: RX51...

Estimate

£35,000 - £40,000

2001 Gardner Douglas GD427 Cobra 

Registration Number: RX51 FTC
Chassis Number: GD427E032
Recorded Mileage: c.40.900 miles

- 5.7 litre (387bhp) race specification engine
- A well specified, nicely maintained example

Not many cars have achieved iconic status, but the Shelby Cobra is without doubt one of them. This powerful V8-engined sportscar soon attained worldwide competition success, in later years driving the values of original examples to stratospheric levels. This led to a plethora of copies with varying levels of engineering and design quality.

Launched in 1986, builder Gardner Douglas Sports Cars have developed an unmatched reputation for the highest quality levels of engineering. The GD427 Cobra’s chassis has been engineered to deliver high torsion and beam stiffness for taut predictable handling and superb road manners. A remarkably stiff yet light structure compared to traditional ‘ladder’ chassis, this starting point enables superior build standards for DIY enthusiasts. This groundbreaking design not only allows for lower gearing of the wheels and more compliant suspension, but also enhances balance with a centrally located mass and a lower centre of gravity, greatly improving handling through corners. The GD427 design has largely stuck to this winning recipe over the years.

First registered in August 2001, this GD427 used as its basis a European specification lightweight chassis with Gardner Douglas’ race-proven double wishbone suspension, mounted on aircraft grade CNC-billeted alloy uprights with adjustable damping and ride height. The car’s body is constructed from double-skinned foam-filled fibreglass, moulded as one piece for extra rigidity. Front and rear bulkheads, engine bay, footwells, transmission tunnel and all inner mouldings are integral parts of the structure. If necessary the complete body can be easily removed from the chassis for maintenance or repairs.

The Cobra is fitted with a small block 5.7 litre Chevrolet V8, blueprinted and built up by specialist E.D.A. to Option 2 specification, installed in 2001 with all new internal components; crank, rods, pistons, camshaft, oil and water pumps, and so on. The engine has aluminium heads, an Edelbrock inlet manifold, Holley 670cfm carburettor with electric choke and vacuum advance, 

MSD 6AL-2 electronic ignition with Mallory magnetic distributor, electric fuel pump with adjustable pressure regulato, an oil cooler with thermostat. and breathes through a stainless steel underslung exhaust. Pushing out 387 bhp and 404 lbf/ft (i.e. plenty!), this powerful motor is supplied with a detailed invoice and dyno report to support the build. Power is delivered via a Tremec 3550 TKO 5-speed gearbox and Power-lok limited slip differential.

On each corner are unmarked 17” 3-piece Halibrand replica wheels by Image, fitted with Toyo Proxes T1R tyres (rear 255/45 ZR17, front 235/45 ZR17). Stopping is handled by a dual circuit system with bias adjustment, outboard rear discs, and front big brake kit with Bremsport calipers and 300mm vented/grooved discs.

The Cobra is finished in Volkswagen Maritime Blue (the front being recently refinished to correct some localised road rash), with a two-tone navy/grey leather interior, and grey carpets. The hood and tonneau cover are lined in black mohair, the tonneau having a central zip and twin roll hoop pockets. The screen is fitted with glass wind deflectors, removable perspex sidescreens can be fitted for poor weather. Conveniently the hood frame itself can be folded down behind the seats whilst the hood remains attached to the frame. The seats and pedals are adjustable to accommodate different sized drivers, and the steering wheel removable, Willans harnesses keep both driver and passenger firmly located.

In recent years the Cobra has benefitted from new driveshaft CV joints, a new aluminium radiator with 16” cooling fan, a new bonnet with a reversed air scoop, battery and alternator, a stainless 50l fuel tank with electric pump, a service of the carburettor (in 2021), and replacement digital speedometer and rev. Counter. The Cobra comes with a UK V5C and current MoT certificate.

A very well executed Cobra, with bags of power, blistering performance, balanced and composed handling, and musclebound looks, does it get any better?