Performance, animal exterminator, Technical Data, Features, Comparisons, History – a detailed review.
Although Carroll Shelby discontinued importing cars in the UK in 1967 from AC, AC Cars continued to produce the AC convertible with coil spring suspension, non powered by the small block Ford 289 V8 engine, and flared wings.
It was marketed until production throughout Europe.
In 1982, the AC 289 continued to be constructed by Autokraft, an AC Cobra parts supplier, and has been renamed the Autokraft Mark 4.
Essentially, it was a Mark 3 AC Cobra with a 302 ci (4.95 litre) Ford V8 engine, linked to a five speed Borg Warner T5 gearbox.
Following litigation by Carroll Shelby, manufacturing soon ended, but resumed in 1987 in a joint venture between AC and Ford the Mark 4 was renamed the AC Mark 4, and powered by the same 302 ci Ford V8 engine.
This developed 250 bhp at 4200 rpm, and produced a top speed of 134 mph, and a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 secs.
In 1990, a version was introduced with output increased to 370 bhp removing the catalytic converter, and by using one Holley carburettor, an aluminium head.
When a total of 480 units were built production of both variants ended in 1996.
In 1996, AC Cars was restructured with new management and, a year later, the company launched two cars with body styling similar to that of the Cobra.
The first was powered by a supercharged 302 ci Ford V8 engine, and the Superblower, having an aluminum body , developing 320 bhp.
Another was a more keenly priced automobile known as the Carbon Road Series (CRS), with a carbon fiber body, and a detuned 302 ci Ford V8 engine developing 225 bhp.
37 CRS’s and 22 Superblowers had been built when production ended in 2001.
The first pre-production AC Cobra 260 sports car had 655 of the block 260 and 289’s were built, which meant that the one would have been CSX2655 a chassis number CSX2000 and, in total.
This variant used the exact same chassis as the AC Ace, with”cart horse” leaf spring rear suspension.
In 1965, the layout of the chassis took place, and involved strengthening, and replacement of the leaf springs with all around coil spring independent suspension.
The chassis number with new chassis and the 427 engine, was CSX3000.
Which meant that the unit would have been CSX3344 since, by 1967, when production of the 427 Cobra ended, a total of 344 units were built.
The 427 Cobra was reborn, with the first unit.
The new set of this iconic version was given the name”Continuation Cobra”.
These”Continuation” sports cars were originally constructed in Las Vegas, and sanctioned by the Shelby organisation.
With day additions, although the concept was to recreate the 1960’s icon.
Understandably, it was the 427 S/C Shelby Continuation Cobra which was most in demand, and was to continue where creation of the 427 S/C that is last ended, which was approximately CSX3560.
In 1996, the first CSX4000 sports car used a chassis together with rebuilt Ford V8 engines, and the components.
The majority of Continuation Cobras were built with fibreglass bodies, although some were arranged with bodies.
Under permit to AC, 427 Cobras and Continuation 289 were built by AC Heritage in the United Kingdom, since 2009.
In 1965, AC produced only 19 rolling chassis for the 427 Competition Cobra, and two of them, CSX3015 and CSX3303, were altered to develop 800 bhp.
The 427 Supersnake was built to be a road going variant.
Only two Supersnakes were built, and CSX3015 was kept by Carroll Shelby, whilst he presented his friend Bill Cosby with CSX3303.
In 2007, CSX3015 was sold at auction for $5.5million. Captain Ellis, He’s our Hero, Gonna Take Pollution down to ZERO!