2024 AC Cobra

Highlights 

• 2024 Factory AC Cobra Mk II 347

• Practically brand new having covered just 319 miles

• Full service history

• Incredibly rare – one of just four examples ever built

• A true piece of automotive history

Overview

There are few classic cars as evocative or as exciting as the AC Cobra. Here was a car that married the best of British design with the brawny, visceral muscle of the good old American V8 to sublime effect, and it was glorious. Beautifully sculpted by John Tojeiro and built upon a tubular frame chassis, the Cobra's aluminium body was, well, not actually a Cobra. It was an Ace. But legendary racer and car builder Carroll Shelby saw the huge potential of AC's pretty two-seater – partly due to how it handled thanks to its independent transverse leaf-sprung suspension – and thought he could make it better after spotting a gap in the US market for a purpose-built sports car. 

After a slew of under-powered six-cylinder engines, the Ace eventually found success in competition, but what happened next was a stroke of genius, frankly. Shelby who arrived in 1961, immediately  shoehorned a big old Ford Windsor V8 under the bonnet of the roadster, and a legend was born. The Cobra had arrived, and it had plenty of venom!

Various displacement V8s followed – as well as numerous updates – and the car was a huge hit both on the track and on the road but production officially only lasted until '67, much to the chagrin of petrolheads the world over. Many reproductions, restomods and continuation models have been produced over the intervening decades, too many to count in fact, but legitimate, bona fide Cobras built by AC itself were a thing of the past. Or so we thought.

Fast forward to 2023 and AC announces its new Cobra GT, as well as the Cobra GT Coupe last year – two models to drag the iconic model kicking and screaming into the 21st Century world with a whole host of modern mechanicals – and there was much rejoicing. But, preceding these new, state-of-the-art iterations were four final factory MkII Cobras. Yep, that's right, and you can own one. This is a big one guys.

Now, this isn't one of those aforementioned reproductions, nor is it merely an AC-sanctioned continuation model. It's not a battery powered restomod either. Nope. This is the real deal. An essentially brand new (yes, you read that right) V8 powered, tyre-shredding AC Cobra Mk II 347. 

Built by AC, it's visually identical to the original Cobra and is a direct tribute to the early Mk II 347s that broke cover all the way back in 1963. Faithful to its roots and embodying the true spirit of those early cars, this genuine AC Cobra is powered by a 400bhp Ford V8 mated to a Tremec TKX gearbox sending all of that glorious power straight to the rear wheels via a Quaife differential. In other words, perfection.

Currently on display at the prestigious London Concours, such is the car's incredible condition and historical significance, it has covered just 319 miles from new and comes to market with no previous owners. That’s right, you could be the first aside from AC themselves. Impeccably presented, this genuine AC Cobra can trace its lineage back to the cars produced at AC Cars’ legendary Thames Ditton factory in the 1960s and represents a once in a lifetime opportunity.

History and documentation

• 2024 model year

• Unique COB number included in AC's official records

• One of just four examples

• First registered 12/09/2024

• 319 miles

Interior

• Impeccable condition throughout

• Leather-trimmed bucket seats

• Large, thin-rimmed wooden steering wheel

• Genuine AC plaque indicating this as car two of four

• Period correct gauges and switchgear all work perfectly

• Pool ball style gear knob

• Carpets are clean and dry

• Unmarked with no signs of damage

• Engine bay is superbly presented

Exterior

• Identical to the original model (aside from being made of composite materials rather than aluminium)

• Beautifully presented commensurate with age and mileage

• Period correct 15" wire wheels in beautiful condition

• Avon radial tyres all round

• Unmarked body panels

• All shut lines are dead straight

• All chrome trim and glasswork appears in top shape

• Tonneau cover included and in fine fettle

• Side-exit exhausts look great

Mechanical

• 347ci (5.7 litres in new money), 400bhp Ford V8 engine with aluminium cylinder heads, Holly fuel injection and engine management system

• TREMEC TKX 5 speed manual gearbox

• Open differential

• 3" steel tubular ladder frame chassis

• Front and rear transverse leaf springs

• Spax dampers

• Disc brakes with Wilwood 4-piston brake calipers front and rear

• 0-62mph in 4.5secs

• Good oil pressure and engine temp

• Intoxicating soundtrack

• The vendor informs us there are no mechanical issues to report

Summary

This prized and revered car represents a unique opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors to enjoy one of the incredibly exclusive final editions of one of the world’s most respected and celebrated sports cars. 

This Pearl White example represents the pinnacle of British motoring heritage. Each vehicle is an authentic masterpiece, meticulously hand-finished and designed for the most discerning of classic car aficionados. This then, is a legitimate piece of automotive history that's just a winning bid away. Dare to dream.

This car is on show at the London Concours event. Thereafter, to arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries.