The Superformance MKIII-R: Back to the future…in a Cobra!

If there is one thing here in these United States more reliable than taxes, it’s our continued embrace of Carroll Shelby’s Cobra. And that embrace grows even tighter through the efforts of Lance Stander, CEO of Legendary Performance. Below you’ll find news of the latest effort by Lance’s team to keep the Cobra current. And while I’d build my Superformance Cobra – the FIA 289, please – as stone axe simple as God and Carroll intended, I have no argument with what they’ve done here. Info and pics provided by TimePiece PR. 

SUPERFORMANCE UNVEILS NEXT GEN MKIII-R SUPER CAR

Hot new sports car builds on amazing heritage

Only 20 of the MKIII-R models will be built per year for fans worldwide

Equipped with a Ford V8, the roadster rockets from 0-60 in a blink

 Each car will be documented for collectability 

IRVINE, CALIF. – May 13, 2020 – Superformance unveiled its stunning new MKIII-R roadster, a modern evolution of the world’s most popular continuation classic Cobra. Sold as a rolling chassis (without engine and transmission), each limited-edition car comes assembled, painted and ready for drivetrain completion. Weighing just 2,450 pounds when properly equipped with a powerful Ford V8 engine, this contemporary twist on a heritage car is faster than most supercars costing hundreds of thousands of dollars more.

“The timeless design of a classic 1960s roadster was mixed carefully with modern-day aesthetics and performance to create the Superformance MKIII-R,” said Lance Stander, CEO of Superformance. “We enhanced the styling, modernized the interior, improved the brakes, updated the suspension and designed it to accommodate the latest drivetrains. This is for those who envisioned the Cobra as if it had continued in production and evolved over the last five decades.”

The new front splitter matches the body contour and gives this roadster a unique, but aggressive, front-end appearance. The side profile features handsome new scalloped fenders and black vents. The front and rear fenders and spoilers, along with a beefy new rear diffuser bring a more modern performance look to the heritage styling. And the color choice for the paint and stripes is only limited by the imagination.  

“The new styling cues make the MKIII-R an instant winner,” said Stander. “The roadster is far more aggressive than the traditional Cobras seen at cruise night or track day. It is an amazing car that offers a very unique ownership experience.”

The Superformance MKIII has been one of the most popular continuation cars in the world because it is sure-footed, reliable and as exciting as the great sport roadsters of the 1960s. The MKIII-R builds on that performance with a suspension that uses the latest components by top manufacturers and a reinforced chassis to improve driving dynamics. Standard Wilwood 4-Piston Power Disc Brakes bring the MKIII-R to a halt. Optional 6 piston calipers, along with many other options, are available for those who want to track the car.

Nothing feels cheap or compromised in the MKIII-R cockpit as only the best materials are used in crafting it. The custom double stitched leather seats have body color accented thread. The transmission tunnel is wrapped in luxurious leather as well. Instead of traditional gauges, the MKIII-R is equipped with Superformance’s new electronic gauges. Air conditioning, contemporary sound systems and a hardtop are among the many options available to tailor the car.

Sold as a rolling chassis, the car can be configured for heritage or modern drivetrains. V’s Performance shop installed a Roush Performance 427SR crate motor, Tremec TKO600 5-Speed transmission and matte side pipes into the first car of the new series. This turned the 2,450-pound Superformance MKIII-R into a 500 plus horsepower monster with nimble handling and extraordinary acceleration.  

“The Superformance MKIII-R roadster is the ultimate Resto-Mod and natural evolution of the original Cobra,” said Stander. “It delivers the reliability of a new drivetrain, the perfect balance of modern and classic styling that everyone will envy.”

The Superformance MKIII-R roadster roller will start at US$79,900; only 20 cars will be built per year. The cars are offered complete but without engines and transmissions. The selection, purchase and installation of the drivetrain are the responsibility of the purchaser. Orders are now being accepted. For more information, visit www.superformance.com.