AC Cobra

The AC Cobra was launched in 1962 and was to become one of the most legendary sports cars ever built. It was born out of an arrangement between AC who were looking for a new engine for their Ace sports car, and Carroll Shelby, who after retiring from motor racing was looking for a new business venture. The project went ahead with full backing from the Ford Motor Company (USA) who were to supply the engine. The end result was a light and tremendously powerful sports car, the likes of which had not been seen before. The very first cars used a 4.2 litre V8 engine but a 4.7 litre unit soon replaced this, with the most powerful 7-litre version arriving in 1964. This 427 version as it was known (the 427 being the engine capacity in cubic inches) remained in production for 2 years. A heavier chassis was used on all Cobras from 1965. Many changes were made throughout production of the Cobra, and these included completely redesigned suspension, and the change over to rack and pinion steering in an attempt to tame the cars handling.

For several years the AC Cobra held the title of being the fastest production car in the world. It is worth mentioning at this point, that in 1964 an AC Cobra was recorded travelling at a speed of 183 mph on the M1 motorway causing questions to be raised in parliament. Legend has it that this event led to the introduction of a 70 mph speed limit on UK motorways. Production of the original Cobras ended in 1969 but today they are once again being made by AC at their new factory which, acquired in 1988, is situated within the grounds of the old Brooklands racing circuit.