NIcely detailed Cobra replica with 5litre Rover V8 generating over 300bhp
Based on the well-respected AK kit which is highly accurate to the original
Durable Jaguar XJ running gear
In long term ownership and clearly well cared for
MOT to April 2024 with no advisories
Appears to be a very low mileage car
The Appeal
When Carroll Shelby dropped a muscular Ford engine into the tiny AC company’s pretty Ace, neither party likely expected to create an enduring icon. With the values of original factory-built AC Cobras touching the stratosphere, the array of quality replicas is the next best way to indulge in the delights of these amazing cars.
This 2005 example is one of the well respected AK Sportscars kits, which is a very accurate replication of the original car’s dimensions. With Jaguar XJ running gear and a full fat 5litre Rover V8 upfront, it doesn’t just look purposeful it actually is. There is over 300bhp on tap and 0-60mph is delivered in 5secs.
Well cared for by its long term owner this highly detailed replica also has a lengthy, advisory-free MOT. Few cars have the presence and the V8 rumble of a good Cobra replica and this one looks mouth-wateringly enticing.
Very detailed Cobra evocation right down to the Shelby badge on the rear bulkhead between the seats
Attractive cream leather interior piped with blue
Cobra-style leather bucket seats in good condition, just some light discolouration and creasing indicating use and age
Eye-catching leather trimmed dashboard with centrally located instruments in classic style but with digital odometer
Lovely three spoke chromed steering wheel with wood rim in excellent condition
Door cards in good condition, showing only light signs of use
Chrome Cobra gear lever and column stalks
Boot gas struts fitted and boot area fully carpeted in blue piped with cream
Chrome roll hoops
Stylish blue Perspect sun visors
When building a Cobra replica what tends to set one apart from another is the attention to detail. That is something that tends to be driven by passion and this car displays it in abundance. Take the column stalks, which could easily be left as the ones fitted to the Jaguar donor car. But here they are replaced with slim, stylish chrome items. Elsewhere there is a replica Shelby constructor’s badge on the bulkhead between the seats, chrome wing mirrors and blue Perspex sun visors. Little details like this indicate the love that has clearly gone into developing this car and surely make driving it just that little bit more delightful.
The interior of this car has been tastefully trimmed in cream leather with blue piping and is in very good condition for an 18 year old car, likely reflecting the apparently low mileage. There are some creases on the seats and door cards but nothing unsightly. Willans race harnesses are fitted. The vast swathe of dashboard, with its retro-style dials is in similarly good condition.
The beautiful three spoke polished chrome , wooden rimmed wheel is a delight and one of the many neat touches in this evocative interior.
The carpets extend to a fully trimmed boot, in blue and cream but reversing the arrangement on the seats. All trim and fittings are in good condition and there are even gas struts to hold open the boot lid.
Carefully detailed with Cobra and AC badges to make it virtually indistinguishable from an original
Fat, rumbling side exit exhausts
Split rim GTD5 wheels with polished rims fitted at cost of over £1,000 in 2004
Toyo tyres which appear to date from 2004 but in good condition
Fabric tonneau cover provided
Paintwork in very good condition with only very minor and virtually invisible marks to note
Pumping up the arches and widening the track turned AC’s pretty little Ace into a tarmac burning race track weapon. In period the Cobra was apparently the fastest accelerating car on sale in Britain, which turned the spotlight on the tiny AC Thames Ditton business. It has been inextricably associated with the Cobra ever since.
The Cobra’s iconic shape and its rarity have created a cottage industry of makers offering a variety of kits. Of the many available, the AK Sportscars one is considered amongst the best, combining highly accurate dimensions with excellent quality. It is designed to be used with Jaguar running gear and a wide variety of engines.
We understand that this car was IVA tested in 2005. It is correctly registered with the DVLA as an AK Sportscars convertible and has an AK chassis number. It is beautifully finished in dark metallic blue with, of course, a large silver Cobra stripe down the middle. The effect is enhanced by the split rim alloys, with knock off spinner ornamentation, and fat, chromed side exit exhausts.
The paintwork is in very good condition, reflecting what we understand is a very low mileage. There are a few marks visible in the photographs, such as on the inside edge of the driver’s door, rear of the boot and offside rear arch but these are very minor and do not detract from the jaw-dropping aesthetics. Chrome arch guards are fitted to protect the vulnerable rear arches from stone chips.
Rover V8 running in 5litre trim with Weber 600 carburettors
Nicely detailed engine bay with Cobra engine covers and air filter
Stainless steel trim on ancillaries
Cornering Force handling assessment indicates this is a well set up car
Uses Jaguar XJ running gear and original donor car details included in history file
Rolling road tested in 2010 to 333.9bhp
5spd manual gearbox
MOT records for mileage are poor but indicate a low mileage car
The trick when developing a good Cobra replica is to match the looks with blistering pace. This car certainly does that. It is running what we understand is a Rover V8 engine in 5litre capacity, which a rolling road test in 2010 rated at just under 334bhp. Power is delivered via a 5spd gearbox - we do not know the source of this box but Rover V8 engines are generally mated to Rover SD1 5spd gearboxes.
AK Sportscars kits were designed to use Jaguar XJ running gear. The history file indicates that the donor vehicle for this car was a 1981 Jaguar XJ. This set up has the added advantage of good parts supply and durability as well as providing a very good mix of handling and comfort. An undated report from Cornering Force in the history file contains a very detailed and glowing report of the handling set up of this car, indicating that it goes as well as it looks.
The car has MOT to April 2024 with no advisories. Unfortunately the MOT testers have not been very diligent recording the mileage, likely because this car has a digital odometer, but in 2021 it had covered less than 12,000 miles. Based on previous annual mileages by the car’s long term owner, it feels reasonable to assume that the current figure is not much higher.
Unfortunately at the time of writing we did not have access to the car’s service history. However the nicely detailed engine bay, with its Cobra-branded fittings, suggests a diligent and enthusiastic keeper.1DhRxOt7QtZAYwNW3ExR1x5pZ4tDKDfj7EJlKvYm.jpg452.82 KB
Summary
If, like us, your budget is a few hundred thousand pounds short of that required for a genuine Cobra, then a very good replica is a great alternative. The trick when buying one is to find one that goes more than skin deep, where the enthusiasm of the builder is evident in the careful attention to Cobra-related detail.
This car is such an example. Clearly well cared for and showing obvious attention to that Shelby-related detail, this low mileage Cobra delivers on the looks with its rumbling, 330bhp motor. Few cars offer the jaw-dropping impact of a Cobra and this one is very tempting.
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