The original 289 AC Cobra can be attributed as one of the foremost designs that kicked off the birth of the kit car industry. With the original gaining a reputation for fiery performance and a brutal presence, the first replicas made their first appearance, while the original was still in production. Gifted with a simple but effective set-up and multiple engine choices, the Cobra replica soon became a familiar sight and became an ideal car for those wishing to satisfy an urge for an unadulterated and raw driving experience.
This well built Cobra kit is based on a 1982 MK5 Ford Cortina fitted with the brisk V6 Cologne power plant and utilises its durable running gear. Finished in black, with high quality detailing and a poise that is ready to launch, this iconic creation offers a primitive yet exhilarating motoring experience. With its humble underpinning, there’s not much to go wrong, and if it does, then parts are cheap and easy to obtain.
Starting life as a 1982 MK5 Ford Cortina 2.3 GL, the car seemed to have been reborn as a Cobra in the late ‘90s, although it’s likely that the kit took a number of years to build.
After that period of storage, it appears to have spent time abroad, with the owner confirming that it was purchased via the South of France in early 2021. The owner took it on board, as an occasional car, having once tasted the delights of several Marcos cars in the past.
However, after the trials and tribulations of bringing it back to the UK during the pandemic, the owner has now decided to sell due to a lack of use and free up a little capital for other matters. The owner has told us that he gets a real kick out of driving something so pure, turning heads whenever he’s out, including a day out at the recent Kop Hill event. Garaged since it has been in the UK, it has never been driven in the rain during his ownership.
The Cobra comes with a basic outline of the car's history, with the expected gaps associated with kit cars. We know that the Cobra kit appears to have been purchased in 1986, using parts from a donor 1982 MK5 Cortina and is therefore documented on the V5 as a Ford Cobra.
The build process has been photographically recorded, which offers a decent record of the process including photos of the hapless Cortina that gave its life to this hairy-chested creation. The car's first MOT as a Cobra appears to have been in 1998 with just 10 documented miles on the clock.
It’s likely it was placed into storage as MOT records suggest that it wasn’t used again until 2012.
There have been subsequent MOT’s since then which helps correlate the mileage to the current reading of only 838 recorded miles. There are also additional receipts for several maintenance items and has also recently acquired a new tonneau cover, which is a perfect fit for the car. The car has a new alternator and battery and will come with a fresh MOT as part of the sale. It’s also worth remembering that the car will also be eligible for free road tax and MOT exemption next year.
The seats have been well preserved and show very little in terms of damage, with blue three-point harnesses in lieu of seat belts. The carpeting in both the cabin and boot are clean with not much in terms of wear to worry about. The interior presentation is good, with quality materials used on the seats and single-piece dashboard but you are aware that you’re sitting in a self-built kit-car and therefore the accommodation is basic but everything you need is there.
The dials and switches are in good order and all are said to be functional. The wooden three-spoke steering wheel and Cobra motif gear knob is a neat touch, both are in good condition and add a little occasion to the cabin experience. The car is also fitted with a fire extinguisher and a 12v adapter slot.
The chassis is in good shape, the very nature of the design allows good access to check the structure with ease, with the box sections, chassis rails and mounts are all in good health perhaps showing a little patina but nothing in terms of structural woes. The body does show some sign of age, with the odd paint crack and blemish observed but the one-piece shell itself is good with no obvious distortion or damage.
The doors are fit for purpose, the bonnet and boot both have key locks, the passenger doors both open from internal release catches.
The door shut lines are exactly what you might expect from a kit car but open and close without too much effort - both the boot and bonnet require external aids to properly open them. There is some light chrome pitting noted on the headlamps and taillights, but the bumpers, roll bar, fuel cap and badging are in great order and go someway into complementing that menacing black finish. The glass, lights and rubbers are in good health, with no suggestion of damage. The front tyres date from 2004 and both of the rear items are from 2014, all have plenty of life in them. The chrome wire wheels with spinners suit the car and are in very good condition.
The engine is a Cologne V6 2.3-litre unit from the donor Cortina and the running gear appears to have been powder coated when it was built.
The owner has stated it has no problems with starting and runs well, he takes the precaution of keeping it regularly topped up with coolant/water and the new electric fan is usually switched on when the car is in motion.
The owner also reports that there are no significant issues with the steering or suspension when the car is on the move but the very nature and age of the kit means that there has to be some allowance to road refinement. The ancillaries and fuel lines are in good order, with evidence that the car has been maintained. The radiator is in very good condition with decent hoses. Although it is unknown whether the engine has been tuned or upgraded, the alternatives for extracting additional power from the usable V6 Ford block are quite straightforward, with plenty of advice and suppliers on hand. Electrically the car is said to be fully operational. The physical condition of the brakes reflects their operation and stops the car with no drama. The car is also fitted with a battery isolation switch.
This is a back to basics road racer, with no frivolities or excess luxuries. The profile of the Cobra, particularly once you spot the badges could fool anyone from a distance. As the prices of the original 289 Cobras have risen to the upper echelons of the vintage car pricing range, these reproductions go some way into offering an alternative. With its sturdy underpinnings and smart presentation, this Cobra replica provides the same visceral and raw experience as the expensive original, but at a fraction of the price.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
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1982 AC Cobra Replica
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