UGears Drift Cobra Racing Car

Introducing the Drift Cobra Racing Car, a beautifully-styled, two-seat convertible—our twist on what may be the most revered sports car of all time: the Shelby Cobra 427. The Cobra 427, produced between 1965-67, had a 7.0 litre 450-510 horsepower engine, did 0-60 mph in just over 4 seconds, and had a top speed of 185 mph.

We think this 3D puzzle / DIY model is a beaut, with its fat tires, bulging curves (thanks to pieces that are precision laser-cut into fine 1mm plywood), a big open mouth up front, and open-air convertible design. This wooden cars moving parts include turning front wheels, doors that open, and a hood and trunk that can be raised. Instead of a rubber band motor weve used a powerful spring mechanism to provide the muscle in this racer and extend the models usable life. The ratchet mechanism means you dont have to hold the knob the entire time youre winding the model—potential energy is stored with each twist, without slippage, until the strong internal spring is fully loaded.

To put the model in drift mode, turn the front wheels fully to one side or the other, set it down on a smooth surface such as tile, and watch as the model peels out in a sideways skid (ideally, your model should make a half to a full revolution before continuing forward, depending on the driving surface and turn angle of the wheels). When the wheels are set in their straight position, the model covers a lot of ground—8 metres or more! Set the wheels in a gentler turn, or put the racer down on a less slippery surface, and watch your Drift Cobra complete two or three full circles.

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