Highlights
- Chevrolet 350ci V8 engine
- Registered as an historic vehicle
- New leather upholstery and new seats
The Appeal
Regarded as one of the greatest sports cars ever made, the legendary AC Cobra was the result of a collaboration between American racing driver Carroll Shelby and British manufacturer AC Cars. The cars were built in Surrey and shipped to Shelby in California for the installation of a V8 Ford engine. In total only 1008 cars were made between 1962 and 1969, and the car’s status and rarity spawned a worldwide cottage industry for the production of replicas.
Founded in 1984, Southern Roadcraft soon built a strong reputation for quality products with sound engineering and outstanding value. BHJ 274 J was built in 1998 using a 1970 Jaguar as a ‘donor’ vehicle. Consequently it is registered as an historic vehicle and is MoT- and tax-exempt.
The History and Paperwork
- Current V5
- Thick folder of invoices and other paperwork
- MoT- and tax-exempt
First registered in July 1998, BHJ 274 J has had only four owners since new. The vendor purchased the car in 2020 as a ‘project’ and, having carried out extensive refurbishment, now wishes to find a new project.
The car comes with a thick folder of paperwork, including a number of significant invoices for work carried out, previous MoTs and tax discs, plus printouts from a dynamometer test.
The Interior
- New cream leather upholstery and new Cobra seats
- Rebuilt and rewired dashboard
- New carpets
- Moto-Lita steering wheel
- Original seats also supplied
The car’s interior looks fantastic, having recently had the leather upholstery replaced and new Cobra seats fitted. Both seats are fitted with Willans safety harnesses. (The original seats, believed to be Jaguar seats, have also been reupholstered and are supplied with the car.)
The carpets are also new, while the door panels are in immaculate condition.
The vendor has rebuilt and rewired the dashboard, which is fitted with Stuart Warner instruments, and there is a Moto-Lita steering wheel which suits the car perfectly.
The vendor has rebuilt and rewired the dashboard, which is fitted with Stuart Warner instruments, and there is a Moto-Lita steering wheel which suits the car perfectly.
In the boot is a carpet liner in great condition, a fire extinguisher and a set of replacement numberplates.
The Exterior
- Stunning pearlescent blue paintwork
- White ‘Le Mans’ stripe
- Full wet-weather pack with side screens
- Tonneau cover
- Stainless steel side exhaust pipes
The Cobra’s unique styling is distinctive and has stood the test of time. The car looks fabulous in its pearlescent blue metallic paint, with white Le Mans stripes. The only blemish appears to be where the top of the driver’s door rubs against the bodywork.
There is also a small patch in the bodywork visible behind the roll bar, where a ‘tripod’ version was replaced to allow for the use of the wet-weather pack, but you have to look hard to spot this!
There is also a small patch in the bodywork visible behind the roll bar, where a ‘tripod’ version was replaced to allow for the use of the wet-weather pack, but you have to look hard to spot this!
The car’s hood is in excellent condition, with no marks or blemishes, and there is also a full tonneau cover. The stainless-steel exhaust pipes suit the car well, but need care when entering or exiting the car when they are hot. The vendor has fitted new chrome overriders, which look great, but the previously-fitted ‘quick lift’ hooks are still with the car.
The wheels are Halibrand deep-dish alloys with the classic centre spinners, and are all in excellent condition, while the tyres are all new. Elsewhere, the badges and brightwork are all in first-class condition.
The Mechanics
- Chevrolet 350ci engine
- 4-speed manual gearbox
- Jaguar suspension and brakes
- Jaguar limited-slip differential
- 4-barrel carburettor
The car starts on first turn of the key, and the V8 engine has a fantastic note that turns heads. It’s been measured at 302 bhp on a dyno.
The vendor describes the car as ‘a no-frills drive that will bring a smile to any good driver with a passion for a sorted classic car’ and says it’s ‘light, fast and loud’. He’s done extensive work on the car and lists a new MSD electronic distributor, recently replaced front brake discs and pads, adjustable shock absorbers all round plus a new battery.
The vendor describes the car as ‘a no-frills drive that will bring a smile to any good driver with a passion for a sorted classic car’ and says it’s ‘light, fast and loud’. He’s done extensive work on the car and lists a new MSD electronic distributor, recently replaced front brake discs and pads, adjustable shock absorbers all round plus a new battery.
Under the bonnet, the chrome-plated engine parts look great and everything is clean, tidy and well-ordered. Similarly, the underneath of the car is in excellent condition; the chrome-plated suspension parts really stand out.
Summary
The AC Cobra is a true motoring icon, and the market for high-end replicas is thriving. This Southern Roadcraft replica was built to high standards and is in fantastic condition; it has clearly been subject to a lot of care and attention by successive owners.
It’s mechanically excellent throughout, but has the looks to match. It’s bound to turn heads and will provide the new owner with a fabulous driving experience.
It’s mechanically excellent throughout, but has the looks to match. It’s bound to turn heads and will provide the new owner with a fabulous driving experience.
Notice to bidders
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