Powerwrapped Elegance - In the world of classic cars, there’s a special thrill in discovering a one-off creation—something rare, unexpected, and wildly unique. Some of the most fascinating stories don’t start in high-tech factories, but in forgotten corners of junkyards, where dreams find new life and legends are built from scraps. That’s exactly what happened with one of the most unusual and electrifying machines ever to wear the Shelby Cobra 427 name—known today as the Cobra 427 'Supersonic' by Ghia.
This is the 1965 Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic bodywork made by John Willment. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)
When you think of the Cobra name, what usually comes to mind is the fierce, track-dominating Shelby Cobra 427, with its raw American power and reputation for shredding tires and beating Ferraris. Or perhaps the minds of enthusiasts drift toward the sleek Cobra Daytona coupe designed by Pete Brock, which made headlines with its aerodynamic design and championship-winning history in the 1960s. But somewhere off the beaten path, away from the fame of the Daytona, another Cobra coupe was quietly reborn—and it’s unlike any Cobra you’ve ever seen.
This is one of the six of the famous 1965 Shelby Brock Cobra Daytona coupe.(Picture from: MyCarQuest)
It all began when British Ford dealer and racing team backer John Willment stumbled upon an unusual find: a Ghia Supersonic aluminum body, originally crafted by Italian designer Giovanni Savonuzzi. This futuristic, jet-age design had been created in the 1950s and was usually seen draped over the graceful frame ofa Fiat 8V. But this particular body had been separated from its chassis and forgotten, collecting dust in a scrapyard. Willment, driven by imagination and perhaps a bit of madness, saw an opportunity that no one else had considered.
This gorgeous creation built of the Ghia's Supersonic aluminum bodywork put on the top of 1965 Cobra 427 chassis by John Willment. (Picture from: DelEssenceDansMesvienes)
At the same time, Willment happened to have a few leftover Cobra 427 chassis from earlier racing ventures. It didn’t take long for an idea to spark. What if he took the iconic Ghia Supersonic body and fused it with the brawniest Cobra platform ever built? It was a wild idea—Italian elegance meeting American brute force. A stylistic symphony and a mechanical brawl, all in one car.
One of the most recent appearances of 1965 John Willment Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic suit, according to Classic and Sports Car magazine was at a British concours in 2014. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)
The build itself wasn’t a straightforward job. To make the marriage work, the Cobra’s chassis needed some adjustments—rumors say it was extended by five inches at the front. Meanwhile, the Supersonic body had to be altered and reshaped to wrap around the aggressive lines of the Cobra’s frame. As for the engine, it wasn’t the standard 427 unit, but a special build by Holman Moody, one of the legendary names in American motorsport. With twin four-barrel carburetors and careful tuning, this beast could unleash up to 485 horsepower—more than enough to turn heads and snap necks.
1965 John Willment Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic suit uses an engine (not the original 427 engine) but was suitable for that which was prepared by Holman Moody, then coupled with twin four barrel carbs capable of producing up to 485 hp. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)
Even though Willment reportedly lost interest in the project before it was finished, the car didn’t vanish into obscurity. It quietly lived on, changing hands a few times. At one point, it belonged to a London policeman who bought it for under $10,000—a bargain that sounds absurd by today’s standards. Now, if this stunning creation ever rolled across the block at a top-tier auction house, it's not hard to imagine bids soaring into the millions. Just a heads-up—the video below showcases the Fiat Supersonic 8V, not the Cobra 427 version.
Over the years, many cars have worn Ghia’s exquisite Supersonic suit, from Jaguars to Aston Martins and even De Sotos. But none of them carry the raw, thunderous heart of the Cobra 427. That blend of curvy, space-age European styling with brutal American horsepower makes this particular car not just a beautiful relic, but a true mechanical masterpiece—arguably the most high-performing Supersonic-bodied car ever made.
So if you ever see a low-slung coupe with those graceful Supersonic lines and the unmistakable growl of a Cobra, know that you’re looking at a piece of automotive history that shouldn’t even exist—and yet somehow, magnificently, it does. ***[EKA [05012021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GTPLANET FORUM | MYCARREQUEST | DELESSENCEDANSMESVEINES ]
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Over the years, many cars have worn Ghia’s exquisite Supersonic suit, from Jaguars to Aston Martins and even De Sotos. But none of them carry the raw, thunderous heart of the Cobra 427. That blend of curvy, space-age European styling with brutal American horsepower makes this particular car not just a beautiful relic, but a true mechanical masterpiece—arguably the most high-performing Supersonic-bodied car ever made.
