For Sale: 1966 AC Cobra in Jupiter, Florida

In 1962 Carroll Shelby created the most sought-after American muscle car in history, the Shelby Cobra. The Cobra model went on to become the first American-made FIA World Champion in 1965 evolving into the ultimate expression of power and performance with the 427 S/C.

A few very special cars were built by AC Cars in England as continuation cars with hand rolled aluminum bodies. This particular example has been manufactured by some of the industry's highest skilled craftsmen using all the original AC 1960s bucks and tooling. It is completely built by hand with over 3,000 man hours of labor to the exact 1960s specification. Paint is the traditional blue with white stripes and white roundels.

The chassis is the traditional 4 inch round tube frame ladder chassis with tubular body mounting superstructure. It has been built on original tooling to ensure precise suspension pivot location and geometrical control. Suspension features fully independent adjustable unequal length multi-link front and rear suspension with rear trailing link with coil over adjustable shocks absorbers front and rear. Steering is manual rack and pinion with wood-rimmed Momo 16" steering wheel. Brakes are 11" cast iron discs front and rear with Girling aluminum racing calibers and hand brake on rear caliber. Manual master cylinder is linked with copper alloy brake lines. Wheels are 15" Halibrand style aluminum alloy with 7.5" front and 9.5" rear wrapped in Goodyear Eagle "Billboard" tires. Final drive provided by a 3.54:1 Salisbury rear differential.

The body consists of over 40 pieces of 16SWG aluminum sheet hand formed and gas welded on the original body hammer form bucks to construct the one piece body shell that is them hand wrapped onto the tubular steel chassis superstructure. The interior engine compartment panels, cabin, boot panels, and floors are also custom formed aluminum panels. Doors and hood are also hand formed on original bucks, and include detailed riveting around the hood scoop. Other features include a Monza fuel cap, chrome roll bar, and quick lifts front and rear.

The interior features hand crafter leather seats, leather trimmed aluminum dash panel with original Smiths instruments and black carpets. A four point driver harness and fire extinguisher are also included.
The engine is an Iron Block 427 that is bored and stroked to 475CID with a 9.5"1 compression ratio. The Holley 750CFM carburetors is fed by a larger 35 gallon aluminum fuel tank. It has new Patrick Blair Aluminum Heads and it mated to a Tremec 5 Speed Manual. The original Iron Heads and 4 Speed Toploader Gear Box are included as well.
Other accessories included are a hand made "Everflex" black roof with removable side screens and center zip tonneau cover. Also included are a hand made tool bag including a jack, lead hammer, spinner lock wire, and pliers.
This genuine LHD example is the 3rd of 10 continuations sanctioned by and built under the supervision of AC Cars Ltd between 1990 and 2003, each with its own COB chassis number. Built out of sequence, this car is chassis number COB5010 and was commissioned in 1998. This example has arguably the best provenance as it was retained by AC Cars Ltd after completion, being used as their exhibition and show car, on display at the UK International Motorshow, The Goodwood Festival of Speed and the AC Centenary event in London. It was then shipped to the USA and was displayed on the Shelby Stand and at the Las Vegas Autoshow. It has also been featured in various books including Cobra by Trevor Legate, Quintin Wilsons Ultimate Sportscars, and Auto Express.

It is in the Shelby Registry with Chassis COB5010. The car has 10,321 miles on the odometer and is registered in Florida. The car has a prior UK registration as well and includes a Certificate of Authenticity from AC Cars.

COB5010 is available for $349,950.