Photography by Jan Morgan
Driver’s Notebook: Real Retro
August 1, 2005
Ignition is accomplished by turning the key, then pressing the Start switch. This immediately lights up the fuel-injected Roush 402. The side mufflers are real, but the actual exhaust exits are in the rear. A buyer can order authentic side-exit exhaust, but the effect is noisy, and the cockpit quickly fills with fumes when sitting still with the windows open, just like the original Coupe.
Unlike the original, the Brock Coupe is built to accommodate drivers taller than 6 feet, thanks to the addition of 3 inches to the wheelbase. The extendable, floor-mounted pedals are positioned perfectly for heel-and-toe work. The properly placed shift lever makes for easy mastery on the first pass through the gears. Clutch-pedal effort is light, and the engagement is progressive.
The first impression on the road is one of solidity. The Coupe structure is
rigid, without creaks, rattles, or squeaks, and the suspension soaks up the
bumps without flexing the chassis. Ride quality is excellent for a sporting
coupe, a tribute to its Bilstein coil-over dampers and road-oriented spring
rates (drivers may choose to order a stiffer, track-oriented suspension setup).
There is no reason the Coupe cannot be used as a daily driver, or as a powerful
road car for long trips. “It rides and handles so nicely with those long A-arms
and coil-overs,” Brock says.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
Interior fit and finish is near perfect. Suede-like material on
the dash adds a bespoke feel to the surroundings, with the luxury of modern
A/C. (Click image to enlarge)
With more than 500 hp under the hood and less than 2,900 pounds of weight to
move, a driver who opens the throttle on the big Roush 402 can experience
supercar acceleration, reaching 60 mph in under 3.9 seconds and devouring a
quarter mile in 11.9 seconds. The modern wheels and tires offer plenty of grip,
and chassis balance is nearly perfect. Driving the car at the Joliet Autobahn
Country Club’s south loop racecourse, the Coupe achieved 130 mph on the
1,800-foot straight. Handling, even with the softer road-oriented suspension
calibrations, was stable and racecarlike, with just a hint of initial
understeer. I found that I could easily balance the coupe on the throttle with
the 500 hp underfoot. Even in rain, the Coupe remains composed and easy to drive
on its Dunlop 9000 tires.
The Brock Coupe is much more than a replica of a wonderful 1960s racer. It represents Peter Brock’s interpretation of a modern road car, wrapped in his superefficient body shape. Sure, there are some throwbacks to earlier years, such as the exhaust note, the shifter, and the instrument panel, but these elements are part of what makes these cars so special to own. The driving experience is less insulated, more visceral, and more involving than any of the German, American, or British offerings of late. If you are looking for a performance coupe where form and function become one, the Superformance Brock Coupe is worth serious consideration.
Superformance
800.297.6253
www.superformance.com
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