• Carefully maintained throughout its life.
• Great performance and handling
• Cobra correct Ford 351W V8
• Great bodywork and colour
• Period correct number plate

Starting in 1901 Auto Carriers Ltd. produced their first car in 1903 and revealed it at the Crystal Palace Motor Show. A 20hp touring car it was a far cry away from what the company would produce in later years, in the form of the Ace, in 1953 

 The Ace was a lightweight two-seater roadster, fitted with a Bristol straight-six engine it was no slouch. This roadster was a niche sports car until 1961 when American automotive designer Carroll Shelby got in contact with AC asking them if they could make a car to accommodate a big V8. This is where the AC Cobra story begins. The Cobra would go on to become one of the most recognisable vehicles in the world, winning multiple races which would further cement its legendary status.
 
Original examples have skyrocketed in value over the past few decades and recreations have become ever more popular. This Southern Roadcraft example is said to be one of the best variants, with Jaguar XJ6 running gear and a Ford V8 it is a perfect car visually and out on the road. 

Ian and Brian Nicholls founded Southern Road Craft Limited 1984 in Portslade,  West Sussex . They started with the production of automobiles and kits under the brand Southern Roadcraft.  1999 ended production with about 720 copies created. 

Madgwick Cars from Pagham continued to produce a model starting in 2003.

The first and best selling model SR V8 was a replica of the AC Cobra . A tubular frame chassis formed the base upon which a fibreglass open two-seater body was mounted. Various V8 engines powered the vehicles. About 600 vehicles were produced.

 
The current owner bought the car in 2013. Within his ownership, this car has been well maintained and improved. He recently had the engine professionally tuned so it produces 230bhp, (a conservative estimate according to the Tuner), but in a car that weighs next to nothing, it provides great performance. It can even return up to 30mpg on a motorway run, remarkably acceptable for a big V8.
 
It is now eagerly awaiting the next owner to enjoy it as much as the previous owners. With the summer on the horizon, this roadster will be the perfect companion for anyone wanting an open top muscle car experience.

The first owner was fastidious in his records keeping when it came to the build of this resulting in an extensive folder filled with original build documents, faxes, and invoices. This record-keeping was a key factor in drawing the current owner to this car in the first place. With the records housed within the binder it is easy to identify and replace any part needed. It also includes a wiring diagram, another nice little detail making the maintenance of this car much easier.
 
One added benefit this car is registered as a ‘Historic Vehicle’ which means there is no Road Tax to pay, this is referenced on the accompanying V5. Along with the V5, there are also quite a few MOT certificates, again a indication that this car has been looked after throughout its life.
 
One of the more recent documents is from Aiery Tuning Co. showing car has recently been through a professional engine tune, producing 230bhp; it is no slouch and it runs perfectly.
 
Most of the paperwork has been photographed and can be found in the gallery below, but owing to how much there was it was hard to capture it all. The new owner will be able to spend time piecing together the history of this car.

The au naturel, open-top interior of this Cobra is it a glorious place to sit and smile as you embark on your next adventure. With the car running on Jaguar running gear you can imagine that the ride and handling is great as you tackle the British roads and lanes.
 
The original leather bucket seats fitted to this are in great condition, they are also the same style that you would expect to find on an original Cobra. You are held into these remarkably comfortable seats with red Willians Racing harnesses, a reassuring addition that makes any occupant feel incredibly safe. 
 
To match the period-correct seats and racing harnesses the dashboard has is trimmed in a way that you would find on an original Cobra with the classic style Smiths dials. 
 
Along with the more traditional features, one great addition is the Momo leather steering wheel that sits on a Momo quick release mechanism. This addition not only adds to the security of your pride and joy but also makes getting in and out far easier for the driver. 
 
To add to the usability of this car throughout all weathers it comes with a full tonneau cover. This has a zip in the middle so should you be flying solo you can cover the passenger seat up and keep the cabin nice and cosy. 
 
The interior of this faithful recreation is in perfect condition and will be an excellent place to sit back and enjoy the driving experience. 

The Cobra shape needs no introduction, along with the Jaguar E-Type or Ferrari F40 the Cobra is one of those cars you instantly recognise. 
 
This vehicle expresses a more conservative and under-the-radar feel, finished in Porsche Metallic Cobalt Blue with shiny chrome adornments to the exterior it provides a perfect blank canvas should the next owner wish to personalise it to their taste. Wearing a period ‘C’ plate some people could even think that this was a ‘real’ factory Cobra which is always a huge compliment to how good this recreation is. 
 
To complement the beautiful blue paintwork the car sits on 16” Halibrand rims. These rims are shod with 4 matching BF Goodrich tires, 215 section at the front and 245 section on the rear. This combination of smaller tires on the front and wider rear tires provides a period look and allows you to get all that power to the road. 
 
One of the best features on the exterior that is bound to excite any car lover is the huge side-exit exhausts with heat shields. These pipes work their way down the exterior of the car providing in a glorious soundtrack at both tick-over and full revs. 
 
This AC Cobra recreation provides stunning exterior views, and with this car presented in brilliant condition, it will always turn heads as you explore what the world has to offer. 

The mechanical aspects are where the Cobra made its name, the small and lightweight tubular chassis had been modified so Carroll Shelby could shoehorn in a huge Ford V8. The combination of lightness and power made this small English roadster into a mile-munching, powerhouse of a road and race car.
 
When building this car, the first owner was presented with a number of  engines and gearbox options.. In the end, they chose a Cobra correct Ford 351 cu.in Windsor engine, linked to a 5-speed Borg-Warner gearbox, a great combination that provides a brilliant driving experience today. To match the uprated power the running gear, suspension and brakes set-up come from the Jaguar XJ6, with the addition of adjustable spring/shock absorbers  to allow you to customise the ride experience you want.
 
Out on the roads today this is a brilliant car to both drive and be a passenger in. Pulling extremely well in all gears and stopping perfectly with no pulling to the left or right when braking. The rear in-board disc brakes have been recently overhauled with new discs and pads. EBC Greenstuff pads have been fitted all round for even more secure braking.
 
The 351 engine has been tuned with an Edelbrock Performer Header and an Edelbrock Performer carburettor. Along with these upgrades, there have been improvements made to the engine, these include a Ford HEI distributor, temperature-controlled electric fan with a manual override and a high-performance air filter. All of these add to the usability and performance of this car, making it a perfect candidate for anyone seeking an exciting driving experience.

Whether you have been into cars for decades or five minutes the AC Cobra is one of those cars that you should know and love. Providing both a comfortable ride with great handling and plenty of performance it is the perfect companion for anyone seeking a new thrill this summer and beyond. 
 
With this example having an extensive build history, manuals and records, and in such excellent condition, it should not be overlooked. The Southern Roadcraft recreation is heralded as one of the best reproductions you can get, with beautiful craftsmanship and build quality it will be the perfect addition to anyone's garage. You cannot afford to miss this wonderful recreation.