1998 AC Cobra Superblower

Lot details
Registration No: R858COT
Chassis No: 5A9AK3020VA017002
Mot Expiry: Oct 2005

It was because the AC Ace had been so successful in SCCA events in the US that racer Carroll Shelby decided that, with a V8 transplant, the British sportscar might be able to clean up Class A. In 1962, an Ace minus motor was flown to California, where, after a Ford 4260cc V8 had been added, the AC Cobra or, as it was officially named the `Shelby-A.C.Cobra', was hatched. Because he had to re-work the original AC chassis (completely Shelby claimed) so that it would be better able to withstand the power and torque of the Ford V8, Shelby always maintained that his AC Cobras were American rather than British cars.
Many years later, British Cobras, genuine ones as opposed to replicas, most of which started life as GRP kits, were handmade by CP Autokraft within what was left of the historic Brooklands motor racing circuit. The Brian Angliss run firm was the only company licensed to use the Ford owned Cobra name, Angliss and Ford jointly owning AC Cars 1987-1990, their Cobra MkIV being Ford 5-litre V8 powered.
By 1996, however, AC had been acquired by Pride Automotive who re-launched the legend with new 32-valve Ford 4601cc V8 or more traditional 16-valve 4942cc with belt-driven Eaton supercharger, both producing 326bhp.The ultimate version, though, was the £69,795 Superblower, a true Cobra in all but name (which still belonged to Ford), with Ford 4942cc V8 underbonnet, an example of which we are delighted to be auctioning here today.
As confirmed by a `Certificate of Authenticity' signed by Alan Lubinsky, Managing Director of AC Car Group Limited of Weybridge, chassis number ACSB 7002, one of the really desirable Superblower versions no less, was produced by AC Group Limited using the original Cobra tooling.
Hand-built at AC's Brooklands premises with tubular `ladder' space frame construction, the main tubes being of 4ins diameter reinforced cold-drawn steel clad in hand-rolled 16 gauge aluminium, the two-seater sports is powered by a supercharged 355cu ins (4942cc) V8 driving a Borg Warner T5 five-speed manual gearbox and Salisbury limited slip differential. The suspension is all independent by unequal length wishbones and coil springs with concentric Koni shock absorbers front and rear. The twin servo-assisted brakes consist of 11.56in diameter ventilated discs at the front and 10.75ins diameter discs at the rear. The steering is rack and pinion.
We understand from the entrant that there have only been two owners from new in 1998, since when there has been full service history. Looking extremely purposeful in blue metallic with red English leather interior and sitting on the correct peg-drive 16ins diameter alloys, 7x16 ins front and 8x16ins rear, and with overall cosmetic and mechanical condition described as being currently excellent, R858 COT is protected by a Thatcham Category 1 alarm.
The low 26,032 mileage on the odometer when this modern, but classic supercar was entered is believed by the vendor to be the genuine total. It has only just been MOTd, too, so the current certificate will be valid until next October.