AC Cobra MkIV | PH Auction Block

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

By Matt Bird / Wednesday, 5 August 2026 / Loading comments

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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