SUPERLEGGERA

THE ITALIAN JOB

After building over 80 Cobras, Ted Taormina wanted something that said Taormina. First, he considered a black one, then a red one, but none of the choices hit home for him, until he saw a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. It was pearl white with an Italian flag down the middle. This was it! 

He started creating and once it was finished, there were more photos taken of the Italian Job than any other car he had worked on over the years. Everyone loved it! This first version didn't even have an engine or wheels. Taormina’s original plan was to put a Ferrari V12 in it. 

Then, the phone rings and it’s the local news calling to inquire and see if Ted is the guy who is trying to break the World Record in speed for the “World’s Fastest Shelby Cobra” and Ted gets on the phone and says, “No, but what is the record?”, he asks. For the last 50 years, the record was 198 mph. Ted thought to himself…. “Really, I could do that”. He then put the phone down and immediately said to his Taormina Motorsports Team, “Boys, we’re going to The  Mojave Air and Space Ports to break the World Record for the fastest Shelby Cobra, so put an original 427 in it.” 

35 runs later, at the Mojave Air and Space Ports, Taormina was defeated by wind, a lack of fuel volume, and too much downforce. So, a week later he showed up there again with some new tricks and was only able to run 191 mph and found himself defeated again. It’s very difficult to get a brick shaped car through the wind which is why Shelby built the Shelby Daytona. 

6 months later on April 8, 2017, Taormina was invited by the Mojave Magnum to do what he originally set out to do all over again. With some prep and a couple more tricks up his sleeve, the car was shipped out for tech inspection with plans to run on Saturday. The wind was soft. The temperature was perfect and Ted was ready. After his first run at 196mph, he knew he was going to hit his goal. Three more runs and three tricks later, he hit 201.1 mph which is the first time in 50 years a Cobra went faster than 198mph.

Three years after breaking the first World Record, Taormina got the bug again and found more than 1.5 miles to get the wall of speed for The Italian Job, so he created the Diffusor behind the drivers head to keep the air reversion from shaking the helmet so much and he changed the camshaft in the engine. He traveled to The Sun Valley Tour de Force to run on a closed off 2 mile public road. After a 194mph shake down run, The Italian Job ran 223.21mph, which is the fastest recorded topless street car and recorded Shelby Cobra in the world. The Italian Job was running against Porsches, Paganis, Mclarens, Ferraris and Bugatis and was still the fastest of the day.  

For more information on Taormina Motorsports℠ building YOUR very own Italian Job, CONTACT TAORMINA here.

THE SUPERLEGGERA 

Ted Taormina is the Founder/Creator of the Superleggera, which in Italian means “super light”.

While building the Italian Job,  Ted Taormina was inspired to design and create the Superleggera, with high speed aero, under car downforce, light wheels, low windshield and an aluminum engine with 650 hp and 600 ft lbs of torque. 

This supercar is ready for 200+ mph as soon as you are and it will only take 50 seconds to get there! The goal for Taormina, was to build a car that can go from Church to the track and dinner, all in the same day. It has the soul of the Italian Job in classic style, combined with the glamour of a Ferrari. Introducing the gorgeous and sexy Superleggera now available for custom orders.  

For more information on purchasing and building your own Superleggera, please CONTACT TAORMINA.