Description:

-Very Early Autokraft/AC Cobra

- 30,000 Miles from New

-1991 Overall Winner of the AMOC Intermarque Championship.

-3 Previous Keepers

In the 1970s, the AC factory at Thames Ditton stopped service and repair of older Cobras. Brian Angliss’ Cobra Parts operation quickly picked up that business and built up a strong and influential customer base. He also moved closer to the factory operation over the years, eventually collecting enough original tooling, jigs, and body bucks from Thames Ditton to fabricate new aluminium bodies, and utilising the same tooling and jigs used to create the original Ace and Cobra bodies. For Angliss’ new Cobra, the bodies were similar to the wide bodies built for the 427, but they used highly tuned 302 V-8s. Although they used the same four-inch tubular steel frame, the cockpit was extended to allow more room for slightly taller individuals.

The quality of Angliss’ work was so well-respected by owners and others in the AC community that in the mid-eighties he was allowed to purchase the rights to the AC name from the Hurlock family, who had been strongly protective of the venerated name that they controlled since the 1930s.

A new AC company was established as a joint venture with Ford, who had also recently bought Aston Martin. Angliss’ company then which began offering the AC MkIV. Given his legal right to use the AC name and, more importantly, the unbroken lineage of craftsmen, tools, and materials employed in their production, these cars were lauded for their high levels of build quality and their retention of the original’s spirit and are generally considered “continuation” cars. Autokraft shortly thereafter moved to a purpose-built factory in Brooklands; in total, approximately 400 MkIV Cobras were built.

This motorcar in particular ‘AK1027’ was manufactured in September 1984. It was specified in left hand drive with Red bodywork and Black trim, at the request of the first owner Ford Europe Director W. Camplisson. It was then sold in January 1986 to D. Womack, after two years of ownership the car was marketed with Cobra Dealer Rod Leach, then purchased by John Bendall who prepared the car for the Aston Martin Owners Club Intermarque Championship in 1990 in Class A. It would be in the following years that John saw success Overall Championship Winner in 1991. Runner up in 1992 and Class A winner for both years. John would keep racing the Cobra throughout the nineties.It was then sold to the most recent custodian in 2001, who has used the car sparingly over his two decades of ownership. Regularly maintained and most recently serviced in February 2022. We carried out some recommissioning works less than 2000 miles ago including a new uprated aluminium radiator, water pump, tyres and windscreen.

The ex racer retains many of the period modifications that were fitted by Mr Bendall, including custom Harvey Bailey anti roll bars, removable roll hoop, 4 point harness, battery cut out, fire system. The weather gear is all present including tonneau, hood and side screens alongside spare wheels. This vehicle will be supplied with a fresh MOT.

As an early MKIV Cobra it lends itself to export to European markets as registration on the later cars can be troublesome on the continent.

£96,500.00

To find out more about this significant motorcar please contact our sales team, viewing by prior appointment.
 

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