Lot details
Registration No: 4619 RU
Chassis No: 304541BW
Mot Expiry: April 2012

The iconic Cobra was born when Texan Le Mans winner Carroll Shelby shoe-horned Ford's new lightweight 260 cu in V8 into the nose of the John Tojeiro designed AC Ace. Amazingly, the new unit was only around 15lb heavier than the 2-litre Bristol engine it was replacing, and by mounting it low and well back in the chassis AC immediately overcame any handling problems that could so easily have resulted from this inspired marriage. The resulting car was a winner from its hungry open mouth to the tip of its growling tail pipes. In later 289 and 428 cu in forms it won countless races and championships on both sides of the Atlantic, while the Shelby American Cobra Daytona Coupes of 1965 beat Ferrari to the ultimate prize of the day - the FIA World Manufacturers' title. Under the circumstances it is perhaps hard to believe that the final road-going versions - the coil-sprung MKIII cars of 1968 - were slow to find homes. Fast forward fifteen years or so, however, and original Cobras were suddenly escalating in value, quickly shooting way beyond the reach of most enthusiasts forever. Almost overnight the market for replicas was born and LR Roadsters' RAM model soon established itself as one of the best of the breed.

The British Racing Green Cobra 427 Evocation on offer was created from a RAM kit bought new by the vendor in 1987 and was completed around ten years ago. The donor car was a 1963 Jaguar 420 from which the registration ID and front / rear suspension were sourced, while the steering is that of a Triumph Spitfire - all such parts were suitably reconditioned. Power comes from a 274bhp 5.7-litre Chevy V8 that is mated to a Rover SD1 five-speed manual gearbox, and the car rides on Image GTD5 wheels (7.5-inch front/9.5-inch rear) secured by Halibrand-lookalike spinners. The Black leather interior features original Cobra seats and can be protected by a tonneau, or loose fitting covers when parked - there is no hood. Maintained by RW Racing of Brackley, this suitably potent-looking evocation has covered just 3,450 miles since completion and comes complete with invoices, build manual and an MOT into April 2012.