1967 BRA Cobra 289

Designed by John Berry and Peter Ibbotson, the BRA 289 was the first Cobra 289 replica to be produced in the UK and was built up on moulds taken directly from one of the original early 289s. Between 1981 and 1998 when production ceased, 260 cars are believed to have been built at the small Doncaster factory. During the latter days of production the car was known as the Tyler 289, the project having been purchased by Tyler Mouldings in 1996.The car offered for sale here today is chassis #070 (from 260) and was manufactured in 1989 using a 1967 MGB as the donor. This car therefore benefits from being tax exempt, and carried a period registration initially from manufacture until 1998 when it was married with a "289' registration number to suit the car.Offered in excellent condition in the unusual Ferrari paint colour of Rosso Corsa, the car's lines are incredibly similar to that of the 1962 AC 289 it emulates. The body is made of GRP which has taken the paint very well, save for one unfortunate blemish on the top of the offside wing and one or two small stone chips at the front. The seats are in black leather piped in red and are in excellent order, with only light signs of wear. The black carpets are near new as is a quality, period correct, tonneau cover and the dashboard boasts correct period style Stewart Warner (SW) instruments and gauges. The power plant is the ubiquitous 3.5 litre Rover V8 fed through a downdraught Holley carburettor and emitting the classic, chest rattling, V8 rumble through twin stainless steel exhausts when given a prod.Belonging to the current owner since 2009, he has lavished sincere care and attention on this car as a host of invoices and receipts demonstrate. The latest of these from, December 2014, relates to recent mechanical work including removing the cylinder heads and replacing all gaskets at a cost of more than £1,000. The impressive history file with this car includes many MOTs, correspondence, receipts and invoices relating as far back as the original build in the late 1980s. This cataloguer highly rates this lovely Cobra replica, and describes it as an absolutely honest car that one would be proud to own. A real head turner....