The legendary Shelby Cobra started its life as a very modest AC Ace with a BMW designed pre-war Bristol inline-6 engine. It wasn't until Carroll Shelby approached the company and decided to shoehorn Ford's all-new Windsor V8 in the car that things got interesting. AC would prep the cars, as per Shelby's specifications, and ship them to the U.S. for the installation of engine and gearbox and finishing.
But lost in the meteoric rise of the Shelby Cobra is AC's reinterpretation of it's own Ace. Indeed, AC has been making its own Cobras ever since. And a beautiful example just popped up for sale with a unique history, racing provenance and good looks to match. Let's take a look at this one of a kind 1967 AC Cobra Racer that was the last one out of the famed Thames-Ditton Workshop.
Last Out Of The Thames Workshop
This 1967 AC Cobra, chassis # COB6127, was, according to the seller, "[o]riginally intended as a gift to AC Chairman William Hurlock. The vehicle was instead delivered unfinished to Ian Richardson of Hills garage as a right-hand drive rolling chassis (Date of Delivery 7/15/68). Craftsmen and mechanics from the retired AC workshop finished the carpeting, dashboard, heater, and motor, etc at Richardson's garage. The choice of engine was a 289 Ford engine which he used in various racing series. Later, the engine was stroked to 327 CID, to accommodate the increase in power the Cobra was fitted with a hood scoop, rollbar, and widened flares. Winning a Silverstone Sprint Championship and a Challenge Trophy Mr. Richardson saw great success in his two year racing period."
A Wild Cobra With An Equally Wild History
After its rather busy early years the car saw two owners in the 1970s. George Morton purchased the car from Richardson with only 1,800 miles on the odometer. Soon after ownership changed to Maurice Saatchi in 1973 and he owned the car for 17 years in his private collection. During this time the Cobra underwent a complete restoration and was taken to down to bare metal. It was upgraded significantly during this time and fitted with a Holman and Moody 427 FE engine and a quartet of Webers pictured above. Finished in period correct Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes, big tank, white pipes, and other performance gear, she is ready to take on Le Mans again.
And It Can Be Yours
Before falling into the hands of the current seller, John Scotti, it was owned by Peter Klutte of Legendary Motor Cars. It's offered for sale at the investment price of $1.29M. It presents beautifully and goes like stink. Check it out and buckle up.
Source: Hemmings