AC Cobra

Texan Carroll Shelby had an impressive racing career before he approached AC in the sixties. He won the Le Mans 24 hours driving an Aston Martin DBR1/300 in 59. As well as Sports Illustrated Driver of the year 1956 and 1957. As a result of his racing experience he knew what it took to make a car go. He realised the European cars handled much better than the yanks, but they just didn't have the grunt of the big American V8s. With this in mind he set out to combine the best of both worlds.

The result was the AC Cobra. Few cars have as many myths and legends surrounding them. The AC Cobra always evokes emotions when spoken about. Whether it's the shape or the incredible levels of performance.

People like to talk about shoe horning the big V8 into the AC, but Carroll had an intimate understanding of how to make a car handle. There was continuous development during production and owners often brought their cars back for updates.

Initially a 4.2 litre engine was used combined with the famous top loader gear box as used throughout NASCAR. Then the more familiar 4.7 litre and then the thunderous 7 litre engine were used. With the larger V8s the Cobra grew wider arches and a totally redesigned chassis to cope with the phenomenal power that the engines were developing.A skilled driver was and still is needed to drive the Cobra and appreciate its bite.

Cobras were incredibly successful in competition, winning the 1965 World Manufacturers Championship. Wins at Sebring, Daytona, Monza and more. Craig Breedlove even took a Cobra to Bonneville and won 23 national and international records in November of 65.

Today real Cobras are highly sought after and there are many replicas built in tribute to the original

The thundering 7 litre 427 AC Cobra pictured at Brooklands

An earlier AC Ace raced in the 50s by AC dealer Ken Rudd pictured at Brooklands. The forerunner to the Cobra. But interestingly about as quick as the first Cobras with its modified straight-six 2.6-litre Ford Zephyr engine.