[Buzz]

A quick re-look at the paperwork from Franklin Mint reveals that they refer to it as "a die cast model spectacularly enhanced with original artwork by Boris Vallejo." It's also accompanied by Vallejo's signature, so that implies to me it was a Franklin Mint inspired follow up to their successful and spectacular regular 427 Cobra model intended to appeal to fans of both cars and Dungeons & Dragons fantasy artwork.
I doubt that any original was ever painted that way prior to the release of the model.