Wednesday 5th August

AC Cobra MkIV | PH Auction Block

There are AC Cobras, and then there are actual AC Cobras...

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The undeniable, unrivalled popularity of the AC Cobra can be evidenced by the sheer amount of cars that have paid homage to it over the decades. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the Cobra might be the most loved car in the entire world. From Gardner Douglas to AK Sportscars and Dax to Hawk, those after a replica don’t want for choice. 

But like Coca-Cola, there really is only one original. There might be some very good alternatives that seem similar and cost less, but authenticity will always appeal. Plus, like asking for a Coke, in fact, it’s a lot nicer to say ‘AC Cobra’ than it is, for example, Cobra by AK Sportscars, Gen 2 chassis. 

And the small things do matter. Because it was AC, famously, that Carroll Shelby first approached to build a (much) more powerful open sports car, that alliance of British beauty and Dearborn brawn creating one of the most famous automotive collaborations of all time. One that’s now embarking on a new era with the latest chassis and powertrain technology. Lots of things look like an AC Cobra; there are very few cars that can legitimately claim to be an AC Cobra, though. 

This is one of them, a 2024 MkIV with just 600 miles. If it looks vaguely familiar, that’s because another one of the four-car production run has actually been auctioned on PH previously; the quartet of Cobras was made ahead of the latest GT-badged machines, a celebration of the glory days ahead of a ground-up reimagination. You want authenticity? You got it right here: a leaf-sprung ladder frame chassis, a 347 cubic inch Ford V8, a Tremec manual and very little else besides. It won’t be the last word in sophistication, obviously - but it will be enormously thrilling. This isn’t restomodding or reworking, really; it’s the '60s-rebuilt 24 months ago, albeit with contemporary attention to detail. It’ll need an MOT next year, in fact. 

As might be expected for a factory-built Cobra boasting so few miles, it’s an impeccable example, from the wire wheels to the wooden one. Stripeless and with the chrome gives this AC a more restrained look than many a road racer homage - you know it’s going to attract all the right kind of attention. 

Speaking of which, the Cobra will be on display at PH Annual Service this weekend. Even knowing the exceptional calibre of cars on display at a PH gathering, a Cobra this good is guaranteed to draw a crowd. Bids open next Wednesday. Don’t expect this Azure Blue one to be any less in demand than the white one…

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See the original advert

[ChevronB19]

It’s not an ‘actual AC cobra’, it’s a replica built in 2024 by whoever currently owns the name.

Any reborn cars, even if from the same manufacturer really hack me off. Especially when they are given FIA certification.

Sorry, that’s just me.

(I’d rather have an original AC Ace anyway)

[mjspencer348]

So unusual to see a Cobra on wire wheels, rather than Halibrands. I guess with all the replicas out there I've been conditioned into thinking every Cobra should be on alloys.

[biggbn]

These, and the Ace are glorious looking cars, aren't they?

[GreatScott2016]

biggbn said:

These, and the Ace are glorious looking cars, aren't they?

Agreed. I’m not a fan of open top motoring, but these really look the part, and sound incredible

[mjspencer348]

biggbn said:

These, and the Ace are glorious looking cars, aren't they?

100%. At 6'1" with big feet, I dare say it would be a squeeze, but I'd love one of these. A small block one like this (5.7 litre) would be plenty fast enough for me, a big block (7 litre) is OTT and apparently handles worse.

[biggbn]

mjspencer348 said:

biggbn said:

These, and the Ace are glorious looking cars, aren't they?

100%. At 6'1" with big feet, I dare say it would be a squeeze, but I'd love one of these. A small block one like this (5.7 litre) would be plenty fast enough for me, a big block (7 litre) is OTT and apparently handles worse.

But if yer gonna be a bear, be a grizzly bear...

[mjspencer348]

biggbn said:

mjspencer348 said:

biggbn said:

These, and the Ace are glorious looking cars, aren't they?

100%. At 6'1" with big feet, I dare say it would be a squeeze, but I'd love one of these. A small block one like this (5.7 litre) would be plenty fast enough for me, a big block (7 litre) is OTT and apparently handles worse.

But if yer gonna be a bear, be a grizzly bear...

Maybe so, but 400+bhp, 1100kg and leaf springs doesn't really appeal. If I wanted to scare myself that much then I'd buy another motorbike... each to their own!

[Slowlygettingit]

ChevronB19 said:

It s not an actual AC cobra , it s a replica built in 2024 by whoever currently owns the name.

Any reborn cars, even if from the same manufacturer really hack me off. Especially when they are given FIA certification.

Sorry, that s just me.

(I d rather have an original AC Ace anyway)

It’s not just you, I’m with you on that.
Except wanting an AC Ace. Neither have ever floated my boat.

[tonyg58]

ChevronB19 said:

It s not an actual AC cobra , it s a replica built in 2024 by whoever currently owns the name.

Any reborn cars, even if from the same manufacturer really hack me off. Especially when they are given FIA certification.

Sorry, that s just me.

No it's me too (and I hate the fact that they've bought a UK year 1967 registration plate to put on it even more).

[GTRene]

lovely, ok I do like more the Griffith/Chimaera method were you can make it a Targa or cabrio and so usable in most weather days.

[Pixelpeep Electric]

my absolute favourite car of all time. (well, this and a Lexus LFA).

[aeropilot]

mjspencer348 said:

So unusual to see a Cobra on wire wheels, rather than Halibrands.

All the AC and Shelby sold small block (slabside) street Cobra's had wire wheels, only the handful of FIA 289 Cobra's built for racing by Shelby had Halibrands.

[nismo48]

Nice Cobra there, reckon she'll fetch good money

[thegreenhell]

That's an awful lot of waffle about kit cars to wade through before you tell us it's not a kit car, and everyone who sees it will still ask you which kit car it is.

[aeropilot]

thegreenhell said:

That's an awful lot of waffle about kit cars to wade through before you tell us it's not a kit car, and everyone who sees it will still ask you which kit car it is.

That's why those awful head rest seats need binning......shouts kit car in a loud voice.

[Augustus Windsock]

aeropilot said:

thegreenhell said:

That's an awful lot of waffle about kit cars to wade through before you tell us it's not a kit car, and everyone who sees it will still ask you which kit car it is.

That's why those awful head rest seats need binning......shouts kit car in a loud voice.

I thought I was the only person who had spotted that!
To be honest it’s the first not the ng that detracts from the car, but then again I’m guessing it can easily be remedied at a reasonable cost.

[LotusOmega375D]

I thought the Mk IV was Brian Anglis’ 1980s reborn Brooklands built AC Cobra? Wide bodied, coil sprung and with a 302 Ford V8. So how is this 2024 car a Mk IV?

[aeropilot]

LotusOmega375D said:

I thought the Mk IV was Brian Anglis 1980s reborn Brooklands built AC Cobra? Wide bodied, coil sprung and with a 302 Ford V8. So how is this 2024 car a Mk IV?

Yes, the Mk.IV was in the Brian Angliss days, so pre-96.

In the various incarnations of ownership of the AC Cars name since, there has been a Mk.V and a Mk.VI versions, as well as since 2012, the AC MK II Classic, which is what this car really is, not a Mk.IV.

[chris1944]

ChevronB19 said:

It s not an actual AC cobra , it s a replica built in 2024 by whoever currently owns the name.

Any reborn cars, even if from the same manufacturer really hack me off. Especially when they are given FIA certification.

Sorry, that s just me.

(I d rather have an original AC Ace anyway)

You and me both, there is too much of that these days, AC are not the only ones to do this.

[Mr Squarekins]

A client of mine used to own a real Cobra. People's first question was apparently always 'is it a kit car?'

He couldn't be arsed so always replied 'yes'.