Words and Images by: ReinCarNation Magazine

We've been following the Speedmaster project SR-71 Blackbird for a month now, and SEMA was a nice opportunity to check out the build in person. As a vendor of thousands of speed parts, Speedmaster has plenty off-the-shelf components to put together a nice replica. Starting with a Type 65 Coupe from FFR, Speedmaster was able to put the Blackbird together in just six weeks. For propulsion, the coupe uses a 347-cubic-inch small block with a Speedmaster 8 stack EFI run by a FAST EZ EFI. The company estimates power at about 475 hp.

Other than the famous SR-71 aircraft, the lines of the Daytona Coupe inspired the company. "We wanted a project with American muscle, the lines of an Italian exotic, and sport pony car handling. A Daytona Coupe build was the obvious choice," says Jason Kencevski of Speedmaster.

If all goes as planned with Blackbird No. 1, the company plans to build and sell 10 coupes a year, the first of which, is already spoken for.

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