﹒Vehicle currently located in France
﹒Low mileage
﹒Current MOT
﹒Will acquire historic status in February 2022

Few names strike more fear into the heart of drivers than “Cobra”. The Cobra was a byword for brutal speed for decades; there are even tales, if you believe them, of the car being responsible for the current 70mph speed limit on British motorways after a legendary 185mph straight-line speed test on the M1 by Jack Sears in 1964.

It started out life as the humble AC Ace, a car upgraded over the years to an eventual 170hp and a Le Mans class win. Eventually this caught the attention of Carroll Shelby, who worked with AC to install more powerful Ford V8s, starting with the 289ci (3.6-litre) and culminating with the enormous 427ci (7-litre) units of legend.

With so few models produced over such a short period of time, it wasn't long before replicas started to spring up – in fact in the USA they appeared in 1966, while the original was still in production. The relatively simple underpinnings, myriad possibilities for engine choices, and fibreglass body moulds make it a popular choice, and there's several UK producers of replicas including Dax, Pilgrim, and Hawk.

The Cobra is the most-produced replica car in the world, and actually outnumber the original by more than 100:1. Chances are that if you've seen a Cobra, you've really seen a replica.

Replica vehicles either accumulate a lot of history, as a labour of love from a dedicated builder, or not much at all with owners simply enjoying the car before moving on. This Cobra falls firmly into the latter camp.

We can say that the vehicle was first registered in February 1982 according to the DVLA. However that likely applies to the donor vehicle upon which this kit was built. It had what appears to be its first MOT in its new Cobra form in July 2012, which suggests the kit was built sometime in the previous few years - although it could be a very, very long-running project for someone; we've all been there.

The current owner, based in Cannes, picked the car up around a year ago. It seems to have spent some time in France before that though – car spotters love a Cobra, and it's been snapped both in nearby Monaco and at a kit car meet in BeNeLux earlier in 2019.

We haven't seen any paperwork relating to the car at present other than the V5C, including any IVA it would have passed to be UK registered, but it retains its digital paper trail in the UK despite currently being located in France.

That covers its MOTs back to 2012, with just two miles on the clock, and running right up to October 2020. In eight years since that first MOT this Cobra replica has covered just 5,000 recorded miles.

The MOTs give largely clean bills of health, with occasional blips for things you'd expect from kit and replica vehicles. It also means the car has a current MOT running through to October 2021, and given the 39-year old underpinnings should qualify for historic vehicle status in February 2022.

The cabin is one of the places where it's most obvious the car is a replica, but that's not a mark against it. Aside from being right-hand drive (one of the telltale signs!), the indicator and wiper stalks appear to be more modern items – likely early 80s Ford.

In terms of condition, the interior is excellent. Both of the seats seem free of any tearing, wear, or damage, and both have contrasting blue three-point harnesses. The cabin and boot carpets are also clean and in good condition.

There's a single-piece dashboard which is in similarly good condition, and all the various gauges are free from any marking. You'll spot a little nod to modernity with a covered 12v adapter slot at the bottom of the centre stack.

Rounding off the look is a wood-rimmed, three-spoke steering wheel, and a wooden Cobra gear knob.

It's an absolute classic of a shape, and these high quality replicas don't put a foot wrong. You'd need to look extremely closely, and even break out a tape measure, to tell the difference between this and the genuine article, especially with the silver-on-black plates suggesting a car far older than either the kit or the donor.

The unfussy bluish black paintwork gives a more understated look than you might find on usual Cobras and Cobra replicas, making the car resemble a 289 rather than one of the monster 427s, and it appears almost blemish free. There's a region on the nose, where a previous owner mounted a registration plate, with some discolouration, but otherwise it's as you'd expect for a 5,000-mile car.

All the brightwork is as shiny as it ought to be too, with the filler cap, roll hoop, boot hinges, bumpers, windscreen surround and wipers all in great condition. That also extends to the classic wire wheels, which may have been restored, sporting the period-appropriate propeller centre caps.

The Cobra appears to be in good mechanical condition. There's little to suggest the passage of time, likely in part down to the fact the car has covered very few road miles, and its recent time spent in France. If any of the major components came from the original 1982 donor vehicle, it’s tough to see which.

It's not showroom fresh, but it seems clear of any marks or leaks. On the underside there's some age-related patina, as you'd expect, but it all appears straight and true.

The owner was able to provide video of the Ford V6 - a definite 80s vintage item, used in the Cortina and Granada - running and revving, both of which it does without hesitation or untoward noises.

While original Cobras are the proverbial hen's teeth, replica models are far less unusual but, crucially, barely less interesting. There's a reason why they're one of the most popular car replicas out there, and have been for decades: you get all the road presence of a Cobra at a fraction of the price. This low-mileage example could even serve as a project – a V8 would swap in very easily...


**Please note, this vehicle is located in France but the seller will happily contribute to up to 50% of the cars transport bill to England. The pictures within the listing and in the gallery have been provided to us by the seller**



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