Description
This is lot number 256 in the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed sale on July 12th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
• One of only 18 right-hand drive AC 289s
• Supplied new by HWM to racer David Skailes
• Continuous history and provenance
• Recently converted back to '289' specification from '427'
The Shelby American World Registry records that chassis number 'COB 6116' was built in right-hand drive configuration and originally finished in Pacific Green with black leather interior. Factory fitted with a hardtop and radio, the car was sold new to its first owner, David Skailes, by dealers HWM of Walton-on-Thames on 31st January 1967. A noted racer, Skailes competed in an Aston Martin DB4 GT and a Ferrari 250 LM. After part-exchanging a 1965 Marcos 1800, he was left to pay the grand total of £2, 183 15s. A hand-written note from Skailes in the history file explains that the Marcos belonged to his brother Ian, and that the AC was delivered by none other than George Abecassis: co-founder of HWM and a well-known former racing driver.
Used as a road car by Skailes, the Cobra passed through the hands of a couple of owners in the early 1970s before ending up with Brian Bolton in 1976. He sent the car to marque specialist Brian Angliss, who would later acquire AC Cars' assets and continue production under the auspices of his Autokraft company. Angliss converted the Cobra from '289' to full '427' specification, including a side-oiler engine, top-loader gearbox, and wide wheelarches. In this upgraded specification it appears in Rod Grainger's Cobra - Super Profile book registered as '750 HOT' (page 55).
In 1985, Rod Leach's Nostalgia, specialists in AC Cobra sales since the 1970s, sold 'COB 6116' to Mr James Jordan, who kept the car in the UK before taking it to South Africa in the mid-1990s. While there he commissioned Hi-Tech Autos of Port Elizabeth to recommission the Cobra with no expense spared.
In 2002 he returned the car to the UK where it was sold to the next owner at an auction that November. Prior to purchase the latter commissioned Autokraft to undertake a thorough inspection and authentication of the car. After purchase Autokraft completed all their recommended works works before the Cobra was taken to its new home in Vienna, Austria. With a Halda trip meter installed the car was ready for the owner's intended use: organised rallies and trips within central Europe; during the next 10 years over 15, 000 miles were covered. Events participated in include the following:
Gaisberg Mountain Race (Salzburg)
Silvretta Classic
Ennstal Classic (twice)
Bavarian Classic
Kitzbühel Classic
1000 Minutes Rally
Bad Ischl Trophy
Millstadt Reunion of European Cobra Drivers
The car also participated in the Loser Bergpreis in Aussee, Austria on four occasions, once as the official lead car for assessing road conditions before the start of each run. In addition, the Cobra was used for weekend and holiday trips in Austria, Italy and Germany. During this time 'COB 6116' ran faultlessly, never missing a beat and finishing every event entered.
Its next custodian was based in Japan and had the AC repainted metallic blue. Since 2015, the |Cobra's most recent owner has been painstakingly returning it to correct '289' specification, including installing a correctly dated 'Hi-Po' engine '6D13M'. The car has also been reunited with its original Surrey registration number 'PPD 567E'. The 'COB 6116' chassis number is stamped on the bonnet, doors and boot lid, indicating that they are original to this car.
Boasting continuous history all the way back to David Skailes in 1967, and as one of only 17 right-hand drive AC 289s completed between April 1966 and February 1969, 'COB 6116' represents a rare opportunity to acquire a well-documented example. The following items are included in the sale:
Set of Elora AF spanners with tool clip
BDS pliers
Tecalemit grease guns x2
New-old-stock Lucas headlights (boxed)
AC boot badge
Original specification cast-iron manifolds
Spare rear brake callipers with pads (dismantled)
Lucas Screenjet washer bottle
Various Lucas switches and dashboard lights
Shelley jack rod
A quantity of ACOC booklets featuring 'COB 6116'
