Drive a 1965 Cobra Along the Cape Peninsula — Full Self-Drive Experience from Bo-Kaap
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Low physical exertion required but expect a long day of getting in and out of a low-slung car; basic mobility and stamina for walking short lookouts.
Overview
Slide into a hand-built 1965 Backdraft Cobra and carve the Cape Peninsula loop from Bo-Kaap to Cape Point. Expect hairpin coastal roads, Chapman's Peak vistas, a penguin colony at Boulders Beach and a full-day adrenaline-tinged sightseeing route.
Drive a 1965 Cobra Along the Cape Peninsula — Full Self-Drive Experience from Bo-Kaap
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You push open a corrugated garage door in Bo-Kaap to a line of low, aggressive machines that seem to lean forward, ready to eat asphalt. The 1965 Backdraft racing cobras gleam under Cape Town sunlight, their throaty V8s sizing up Chapman’s Peak and the Atlantic beyond. A cup of filter coffee, a quick safety briefing and a map with scribbled stops — Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Kalk Bay — and you are sliding behind the wheel of a car that marries vintage silhouette with modern build reassurance.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Drive on the left
South Africa uses left-hand driving; if you’re not used to it, take the first 10 minutes to reorient before accelerating onto busy stretches.
Check Chapman’s Peak status before you go
Chapman’s Peak Drive can close for high winds or maintenance; confirm opening to avoid reroutes that add time.
Respect wildlife at Boulders Beach
Stay on the boardwalk and keep distance from African penguins to avoid disturbing the colony.
Bring a small dry bag
Coastal spray and loose items in an open cockpit are a bad mix — keep electronics and documents sealed.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- African penguin
- Dassie (rock hyrax)
History
The Backdraft Cobras are modern recreations inspired by 1960s racing machines; the Cape Peninsula has long been a maritime crossroads marked by shipwrecks and early colonial settlements.
Conservation
Boulders Beach penguin colony is protected and access is managed to minimize disturbance; stick to paths and follow signage to reduce impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cape Town
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Strong coastal sun and reflective ocean make eye and skin protection essential.
summer specific
Light, windproof jacket
Ocean winds and rapid temperature drops at Cape Point make a wind layer important.
fall specific
Driving gloves
Grip and comfort for long steering-wheel time in a low-slung classic replica.
Mirrorless or DSLR camera with a zoom
Fast shutter and reach help capture both coastline panoramas and wildlife like penguins.