** Please note that the private registration will not come with the car and it will be revert to the original VRM GX67DFU**
Highlights
- Rare fully factory built Cobra replica
- Extremely low three-figure mileage
- Factory built under strict guidance of owner, a prolific F1 and historic car racer
- Very high specification including 5.7litre V8 and Cosworth running gear
- Full service history from the day of collection
- Virtually one owner from new
The Appeal
Very few cars achieve the rarified status of the AC Cobra: devastatingly quick, built in tiny numbers and a proper motoring icon. Save for a handful of continuation cars, factory production stopped in the 1960s.
The car’s reputation and its rarity have led to a thriving industry of recreations. Pilgrim is one of the best, offering a dimensionally accurate, high specification, semi-monoque design that doesn’t just provide the chance to buy a replica, it moves the Cobra story on with technologically advanced improvements.
Most Pilgrim Sumo Cobras are sold as kits, but the factory does offer a full build facility. This car is one of those extremely rare factory cars. Adding to the appeal of the Sumo package, this car was developed and constructed under the strict guidance of the owner, a prolific Formula One and historic car racer.
With a very high specification - hand-picked by someone who knows their way around vintage and classic racers - and barely any miles since completion, this is already a rare a desirable car. Add in an extremely low mileage - counted in the hundreds rather than thousands - and full service history from the day of collection, and you have arguably one of the best Cobra replicas to come to market in recent months.
The History and Paperwork
- First UK registered on 1st November 2017
- Acquired by the current owner on 17th November 2017
- Although the car was pre-registered its development was entirely overseen by the vendor
- We are told that all parts used on the car were either new or reconditioned
- Full service history from day of factory collection by the vendor
- Maintained by the seller’s own mechanic, G A Engineering
- Detailed typed record of work from October 2018 cross-referenced to mileage
- Serviced irrespective of mileage in 2019, 2021 and 2022, most recently at 680 miles
- Invoice for £728.49 for pre-sale inspection and preparation including brake work
- MOT runs to 10th September 2024 with no advisories
Very high specification, including:
- Cosworth running gear
- Limited Slip Differential
- OBP race pedal box
- Close ratio gearbox
- Coil over set up for fast road driving
- One-off exhaust with 4-into-2-into-4 set up
- De-catalysed but with catalysers available with car
The Interior
- Beautiful red leather interior trimmed to a very high standard
- Presented in virtually as new condition with barely any signs of age or use
- High quality trim included quilted bulkhead with ‘AC’ stitched decals
- High backed bucket seats with adjustable headrests
- ETB classic dials with digital trip meter in excellent condition
- Aluminium gear knob and OBP pedals
- Leather trimmed centre console
- Padded black vinyl dashboard in careful update of the original Cobra style
- Wood rimmed Moto Lita steering wheel
- Carpeted boot area with battery and battery isolator
The joy of the original Cobra lies in the juxtaposition of scintillating power with a simple, no-nonsense interior. It was clearly a car designed to be driven and yet the straightforward arc of dashboard, with its handful of dials, has become one of the most distinctive in motoring.
This recreation wisely sticks to the original formula, albeit with some tasteful upgrades that reflect how this car has cleverly evolved the 60s template. The dashboard is close to the original but with centre console added to suite with the trim over the transmission tunnel.
The bucket seats also closely replicate those found in original cars, but with the addition of headrests to make motoring in this most distinctive of cars more comfortable.
The quality of the fixtures and fittings reflects the standards set by this car’s owner during the build process. It shines through the carefully crafted door trims, which closely match factory original cars, and the fitted carpets throughout the cabin and boot.
There are barely any signs of use, reflecting the single owner and tiny mileage, only some wear to the carpet in the passenger footwell to note.
The Exterior
- Tasteful and discreet dark grey metallic paintwork with subtle central stripes
- Waxoiled underside in excellent condition with no issues to note
- Dimensionally accurate Cobra recreation
- Excellent panel fit throughout
- Paintwork finished to a high standard with barely any signs of use
- Immaculate Hallibrand split rim alloy wheels in unmarked condition
- Galvanised chassis and semi-monocoque factory construction
- Nexen tyres fitted all round with plenty of tread
- Chrome roll over hoops and chromed wing vents
- Black roof appears barely used with clear, undamaged windows
What tends to set good Cobra replicas apart from lesser examples is the attention to detail and the exterior specification. The Pilgrim kit is a very good base for a Cobra because it so closely mirrors the specification and dimensions of the original factory cars. This likely explains why they are so popular and well regarded.
From that excellent base the owner has clearly taken care with the specification of this car. It is a masterclass in tasteful restraint, most obviously with the mid grey metallic paintwork, which cleverly contains a very subtle set of body stripes. Then there are the beautiful Hallibrand split rim alloy wheels. Elsewhere mesh grilles and chrome roll over hoops complete a picture of a well specified and beautifully maintained car.
This car is six years old but you would struggle to sense that from the condition. The bodywork is excellent with none of the chips or marks you might expect. The only sign of use is extremely minor - a small scratch on the passenger side sill.
The Mechanics
- 5.7litre V8 engine with Cosworth running gear
- Carefully specified by the owner including close ratio box, LSD, race pedal box and coil overs
- The car has been de-catalysed but the catalysers are available with the car
- Very low sub-1,000 miles with full service history irrespective of mileage
Continuing a theme established by the interior and exterior, the mechanicals of this car at once stay true to the original whilst carefully bringing things up to modern day. The build of this car was closely overseen by the owner who is a well known Formula One and historic car racer. Consequently the specification reflects his experience and knowledge of classic race cars, such as the Cobra.
The trim is detailed above and delivers what the owner describes as a car for fast road use. Thankfully for the next owner it has been used extremely carefully, the mileage barely nudging 750 miles in total since it left the factory. Despite that sparing use it has been fastidiously maintained, including annual oil changers irrespective of mileage. The history file includes a detailed record of this work by the seller’s own mechanic.
A further indication of the seller’s high standards is the invoice for £728 covering an indepedent pre-sale inspection and MOT to ensure this car is in perfect order for the next owner.
Summary
In the realm of Cobra replicas the Pilgrim Sumo is widely recognised as one of the best.
Taking that as its starting point, this very rare, factory built example adds in a very compelling specification to deliver something a Cobra evocation that really is quite special. Barely run in and with a long MOT, this is one of the best Cobra replicas we have seen.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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