1995 AC Cobra MkIV

Upon the mention of AC Cobra, only one man's name immediately springs to mind - Carroll Shelby. It was this Texan racer who saw a bright future in the plucky British built AC Ace and went on to install a small block Ford V8, and from this the legendary Cobra was born.

During the 1970s, a service and parts business run by Brian Angliss began to build a strong reputation for maintaining AC's, and the closure of the AC factory in Thames Ditton created the opportunity for him to buy tooling, jigs, bucks and dozens of specialised parts enabling him to fabricate new aluminium Cobra bodies. In 1986, after prolonged negotiations he was allowed to purchase the rights to the AC name and in a joint venture with Ford, his company, Autokraft, began offering the, now legally titled, AC Cobra Mk. IV until production ceased in 1996 with approximately 480 cars having been assembled.

Presented here is a 1995 AC Cobra Mk. IV built by AutoKraft with an aluminium body and featuring a 5.0 litre Ford V8 engine mated to an automatic transmission. According to the 4th Edition, World Registry of Cobras & GT40s by Rick Kopec (2008), where this car is listed under chassis #AK1511, it is one of only 3 automatic cars ever made, and was believed to have been delivered new to the Royal Family of Brunei as a special order.

The next owner of this very rare car, a Mr N. Green of Poole, proudly took possession of this Red Road Rocket in 1999 and from this time used the car infrequently over the next 14 years as the current odometer reading of around 3,300 miles lays testament. Finished in Rosso Corsa Red with a black leather interior, this fine example comes with all of its weather equipment in good order, all relevant instruction and service books, and will arrive at the sale with a fresh MoT certificate, along with its UK V5c.

This Mk.IV offers an amazing opportunity to own a piece of late Cobra history whilst combing a more modern driving experience with all the drama, style and grace of its predecessors.