Discussion
I don't know too much about these but ...
I believe they were built as genuine AC Cobras by the AC company using the original bucks and hence are a continuation of the original.
I wonder whether they'll hold their value, they seem "reasonably" priced at the moment compared to an original.
I believe they were built as genuine AC Cobras by the AC company using the original bucks and hence are a continuation of the original.
I wonder whether they'll hold their value, they seem "reasonably" priced at the moment compared to an original.
They have gone up from about £40k to £90k for a good car in about 4-5 years. The later (less desirable) Carbon Road series now occupies the £40k price bracket. Both a good bet, I would have thought.
Edit: (rare) lightweight mk 4 the one to go for but plus £25%
Edit: (rare) lightweight mk 4 the one to go for but plus £25%
Edited by ToneyCaroney on Friday 19th July 13:48
You are correct, the rights to the AC brand were acquired by Autokraft in the late 80's and they made about 250 mk4's plus 26 lightweights. The mk4's were very well made but were not the same as the original cobra shells, having wider cockpits for the American market and less flared wings. The lightweights were made on the original bucks I think and so dimensionally very very similar to a mk3.
I had a mk4 for a couple of years, lovely looking car, had the mk3 dash conversion instead of the hideous central consul but overal it handled like a tired Cadillac. A Bill Shepherd handling kit sorted the car out though and now I regret selling it. Sold it to a lady who bought it as a 40th birthday present for her hubby!
A very easy car to look after as everything is super basic. Check for any accident damage to the front end and chassis. Unless unrated, they are quite slow as the engines were standard 5 litre Fords on injection and only put out 250 bhp. Easily corrected though.
They are certainly rising in value, so get one now....
I had a mk4 for a couple of years, lovely looking car, had the mk3 dash conversion instead of the hideous central consul but overal it handled like a tired Cadillac. A Bill Shepherd handling kit sorted the car out though and now I regret selling it. Sold it to a lady who bought it as a 40th birthday present for her hubby!
A very easy car to look after as everything is super basic. Check for any accident damage to the front end and chassis. Unless unrated, they are quite slow as the engines were standard 5 litre Fords on injection and only put out 250 bhp. Easily corrected though.
They are certainly rising in value, so get one now....
Interestingly although the Mk4 AC has risen in vale in the UK it is still not particularly desirable in the States, possibly because of the lack of Shelby involvement.
You can buy a well presented Kirkham/Shelby aluminium bodied Cobra for the same price as a MK4
which would be my choice.They are more authentic to the the original MK3 and have the added benefit of usually coming with proper bigblock power.
You can buy a well presented Kirkham/Shelby aluminium bodied Cobra for the same price as a MK4
which would be my choice.They are more authentic to the the original MK3 and have the added benefit of usually coming with proper bigblock power.
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