With the brilliant combination of a massive V8 and a light, roadster body, the AC Cobra is the car that really put motorsport icon Carroll Shelby on the map.
Of course an original Cobra is pretty much unobtainium these days - which is where Pilgrim come in. Providing Cobra replicas in fully built or kit form, they’ve been creating them for almost four decades.
This example is finished in a gorgeous specification, has a good history and features that essential V8 drivetrain. As a way to get the Cobra experience at a fraction of the cost, it’s near unbeatable.
Featuring sports bucket seats trimmed in a fetching light tan leather, with contrast red piping to complement the exterior paint finish, this car’s cabin is a fine place to be.
The same tan and red scheme runs across the door cards, transmission tunnel and dash fascia. All of the leather upholstery is in nice condition for the age, having been retrimmed by the previous owner. There is some evidence of light wear and creasing, but no cracking, splitting or tears we could discern. It should be noted that the owner tells us the headlining of the hardtop is in need of some attention, but remains in acceptable, usable condition.
The vehicle is fitted with oatmeal carpets to offer some contrast, and they really suit it well. They look to be in good condition, with no significant wear or damage to note.
Internal trim items, such as the door handles, switchgear and instrumentation, all present well and in good condition. There is some wear evident on the brightwork commensurate with the car’s age, and some signs of use on the lovely Mountney steering wheel, but nothing that would concern us. We particularly like the period-correct steel toggles, which are a tactile and practical feature.
The owner assures us that all of the cabin controls and functions operate precisely as they should, with no issues that they are aware of.
At the back, the boot is lined with oatmeal carpet to match the cabin, and also features a fire extinguisher, foam inflation kit, car cover and a courtesy light. Again, everything is in good condition.d8BgwyMQE1LVbEBQMrcr02SaaE8lzT5K3tnu1Fdv.jpeg545.07 KB
The Exterior
Unique Ferrari Rosso Mugello Red paintwork
15” split-rim wheels with new tyres
Removable hard top
Cabin tonneau / weather cover
Finished in that stunning Ferrari red, this Cobra replica is a fabulous looking vehicle. The colour suits the car’s lines perfectly, and really helps the brightwork and wheels to stand out. The fibreglass bodyshell appears to be in very good condition, with no evidence of warping, cracking or damage that we could see.
The paint finish is good, with just a few minor blemishes - with a polish, these would soon be dealt with. One issue to note with the paintwork is some stress cracks at the corner of the bonnet air scoop.
Externally, the trim elements, glass and lights are all complete and present very well. There are some minor blemishes due to age, and a little pitting to the finish of the bonnet handles, but otherwise it is all in a fine state.
This curvaceous roadster body sits on traditionally styled split-rim wheels, with black painted centres, stainless three-pronged centre-cap and polished lips. Shod with new tyres, they are in excellent condition and suit the vehicle perfectly.
Also supplied with the car is a removable cabin tonneau and a removable hard top. The hard top looks in fine condition, and gives the car some genuine all-weather ability.
Underneath, the floor pans, chassis rails and drivetrain elements we could see looks to be very straight and clean, with no evidence of corrosion, damage or repair. In fact, it’s remarkably tidy for a car of this vintage - probably thanks to the fact it has been kept garaged and used sparingly.
Following the pattern laid out by the original Cobra, this Pilgrim uses a Range Rover V8 to drive the rear wheels through a manual transmission. It’s a brutally effective combination that offers plenty of performance and a thrilling driving experience.
We’re assured by the owner that the Range Rover V8 runs very well, with a slight suspected tappet noise (Inspections welcomed by vender), but otherwise no mechanical issues they are aware of. The engine bay certainly looks very clean and straight, and we love the relief-embossed rocker covers and air cleaner.
There’s a reason the Cobra remains a legendary vehicle. The combination of those fantastic looks, a massive V8 and a light body make it an exciting ownership proposition.
This Pilgrim replica has been very well cared for, has covered less than 7,000 miles, comes with a long MOT and is finished in a brilliant colour scheme. If you love the idea of a properly old-school, head-turning, V8-powered roadster, then this has to be worthy of your attention…
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