1965 / 2001 Magnum Cobra 427 SF

Back in 1986, Mike Broad, an ex-aircraft engineer, decided to produce his own "Cobra' called the Magnum 427 SF. "A Race Car for the Road' was his concept but what he created soon became a "Road Car for the Race Track'. The chassis was predominantly round tube space frame, the body single skin GPR reinforced with Kevlar and an aluminium panelled cockpit, engine bay and boot. Suspension was rose-jointed double wishbone and fully adjustable. Unlike many Cobra recreations, the Magnum was always a true driver's car, capturing the very essence of Carroll Shelby's vision but with far superior handling. The result is a very rare lightweight Cobra with only approximately 70 cars ever produced and we are told, one of as few as 20 in the UK.

This particular Magnum 427 SF was registered new in 2001 on a 1965 'C' Suffix Registration Plate. It was a bespoke build to a very detailed customer specification. The engine is a 5.7 Chevy Small Block V8 with Edelbrock alloy performance cylinder heads, Edelbrock manifold, Holley carburettor and Mallory electronic ignition. This is coupled to a Muncie 4-speed manual gearbox with Hurst quick shifter. The rose-jointed suspension is fitted with Willwood 4-pot lightweight front brakes. The aluminium panelled cockpit, carbon fibre stone guards, competition bucket seats, fire extinguisher and Schroth harnesses reflect its racing pedigree, even though this has always been a road car.

It is finished in Pearl Metallic Blue with Wimbledon White Le Mans stripes, polished stainless steel side exhausts, mesh headlamp guards and American racing magnesium wheels shod with BF Goodrich Comp T/A tyres.

Although having only been subjected to fewer than 9,000miles, this Magnum has recently undergone a re-commissioning/restoration programme by Mirage Engineering, restorers of championship winning Historic Formula 1 Racing Cars. This process included a full respray and engine and suspension set-up including the replacement of many parts. It has been corner-weighted and prepared for fast-road use. This Cobra recreation weighs just 966Kgs with a 50/50 weight balance making it one of the lightest ever produced meaning it's exceptionally fast and incredibly nimble.

Magnums are extremely rare and very collectable - only one or two ever come on the UK market at any time - so if you want a focused driving machine that looks as good as it drives, this Cobra will be hard to better. Fully road legal, as you would expect, and sold with UK V5C and current MOT to February 2016, the car will also be accompanied by its roll hoop and a wet-weather tonneau cover.