A rare Australian-built sports car inspired by one of Ford’s most memorable concept vehicles has surfaced for sale, highlighting a little-known chapter in the history of modern Cobra-inspired machines.
The DRB540 Cobra is a limited-production reinterpretation of the Ford Shelby Cobra Concept revealed at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show. While the original show car generated significant attention for its aggressive styling and modern take on the classic 1960s Cobra formula, it never entered production. The concept featured dramatic proportions, a sweeping hood and muscular stance that reimagined the iconic roadster using contemporary engineering.
In Australia, however, the design did not disappear entirely. Denis Bedford, founder of Queensland-based DRB Sports Cars, undertook the task of transforming the concept’s design language into a road-legal vehicle. His company, established in 1973, had extensive experience building kit and low-volume sports cars including the Sabre, Taipan, GT40, and a widely sold Cobra replica.
To create the DRB540, Bedford’s team studied images and scale models of the concept before producing a full-scale mock-up. The project eventually evolved into a production-ready design aimed at enthusiasts interested in building or owning a modern interpretation of the concept car.
Unlike many Cobra replicas that rely on traditional ladder-frame construction, the DRB540 uses a welded aluminum monocoque chassis designed for rigidity and low weight. The structure is paired with a lightweight fiberglass body styled to closely match the proportions and visual cues of the original concept.
Mechanical components were sourced primarily from the Ford Falcon XR8 sedan, a common vehicle in Australia that provided drivetrain, suspension, braking systems, electronics, and interior components. The design retained several factory features from the donor vehicle, including ABS, traction control, power steering, air conditioning and emissions systems.
Power typically comes from the Falcon XR8’s 5.4-liter “Boss 260” V8 engine. In the example currently offered for sale, the engine has been rebuilt and produces 349 horsepower at the rear wheels. The power is delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission. With a curb weight of about 1,350 kilograms, the car offers strong performance relative to its lightweight structure.
Production of the DRB540 remained extremely limited, with estimates suggesting between 30 and 37 examples were built. The rarity has made the model a seldom-seen vehicle even within Australia’s niche kit car community.
The example now available is finished in orange with a black folding roof and a black fabric interior derived from the Falcon donor car. Additional features include chrome 18-inch Raceline wheels fitted with Accelera tires, a dual exhaust system, cruise control, a CD stereo system, central infotainment, air conditioning and integrated roll hoops behind the seats.
The car is being offered for sale in Melbourne, Victoria through the Collecting Cars platform. Documentation accompanying the vehicle includes an assembly manual, engineering report, emissions testing paperwork and a government seatbelt anchorage certification report.
