BLACK MAGIC: A potion of classic and current creates a roadster to remember

Written by independent automotive journalist Steve Statham

 

The Backdraft Roadster (Lot #705) that will cross the block with No Reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s 2019 Northeast Auction at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on June 26-29 is an example of melding classic with current.

 

“Having it all,” from an automotive standpoint, is a very subjective judgment call. But for a lot of people, that means incorporating the performance and timeless styling of the classics with the benefits of modern technology. The search for the best of both worlds often leads to some jaw-dropping custom creations.

The Backdraft Roadster (Lot #705) that will cross the block for no reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s 2019 Northeast Auction at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on June 26-29 is an example of that melding of classic and current.

With just over 840 miles on it since completion, this Cobra re-creation was built in 2017 by Revolocity, a Backdraft Racing dealer in Connecticut. Like its inspiration, this Roadster has a 427ci engine under the hood, fed by an artfully displayed fuel-injection system. The unmistakable rumble comes from headers flowing into matte black side pipes. Backing up the 427 is a Tremec TKO-600 5-speed manual transmission with Hurst short-throw shifter and Centerforce dual-friction clutch.

Like any good performance-oriented sports car, it has dual roll bars and 4-point harnesses, along with grippy Nitto Extreme ZR tires.

But what truly sets this Backdraft Roadster apart is the striking Black Magic high-metallic black color with Ithaca Verde racing stripes and matching accents on the wheels. The black and green combo delivers a powerful visual punch, and some of that modern technology we mentioned earlier adds to the effect. LED projector headlights with green Halo daytime running lights match the green accents of the car. The interior is finished out with leather seats with green contrasting stitching, leather-wrapped steering wheel with quick release, push-button start, and AutoMeter GT gauges and LED indicators mounted in a carbon-fiber dash.

The visible parts grab the eyes, but many of the contemporary upgrades in this Backdraft Roadster are under the skin, where braking and suspension improvements propel it far ahead of any 1960s muscle machine. Even so, the purity of a powerful sports car unencumbered by distractions like power assists and climate control remains timeless. At the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction, interested bidders can decide in person if the car meets the test of “having it all.”

For up-to-date information on this vehicle, click HERE. For a look at all the vehicle on the 2019 Northeast Auction docket, click HERE.