1978/86 Dax 427 Cobra Evocation

Lot details
Registration No: WPO821T
Chassis No: SADAXM3RGA038292
Mot Expiry: Jan 2010

The iconic Cobra was born when Texan Le Mans winner Carroll Shelby persuaded AC Cars to shoe-horn 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 427 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 roadgoing versions - coil sprung MKIII cars of 1968 were slow to find homes. Fast forward 15 years or so, however, and original Cobras were suddenly escalating in value, quickly shooting way beyond the reach of many enthusiasts for ever. Almost overnight the market for replicas was born. First on the scene in the UK was the Essex-based family business of DJ Sportscars International with the Dax. One of the many to admire their workmanship was none other than John Tojeiro who became a director of the company in 1985.

The left-hand drive example on offer was reportedly built by DJ Sportscars in 1986 for which the donor car was a 1978 Jaguar XJ12. Equipped with a Weber carburettor conversion, the enlarged 5.7 litre Jaguar engine is claimed to deliver in excess of 450bhp. The unit is mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox, while the servo-assisted braking is courtesy of a Jaguar V12 E-type. The Dax, which is said to have covered under 14,000 miles from new, is finished in blue with white stripes and racing roundels. The interior is trimmed in blue leather. The car comes complete with hood and sidescreens and a tonneau cover that has never been used. The vendor describes the car as being in "good" condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, bodywork and paintwork. Though, he notes that there is a slight scuff to paint on the offside rear wheelarch. With original Cobras now well into six figure territory, cutting a dash in a Dax seems like a very cost-effective alternative - there can surely be few more stylish ways to enjoy the summer sun.