Description
-12700 Miles from new
-3 previous keepers
-One of only a handful of MKIV lightweights with the correct ‘AKL’ chassis number.
In the 1970s, the AC factory at Thames Ditton stopped service and repair of older Cobras. Brian Angliss’ Cobra Parts operation quickly picked up that business and built up a strong and influential customer base. He also moved closer to the factory operation over the years, eventually collecting enough original tooling, jigs, and body bucks from Thames Ditton to fabricate new chassis and aluminium bodies.
For Angliss’ new Cobra, the bodies were similar to those built for the 427, but they used highly tuned 302 V-8s. Although they used the same four-inch tubular steel frame, the cockpit was extended to allow more room for slightly taller individuals.
The quality of Angliss’ work was so well-respected by owners and others in the AC community that in the mid-eighties he was allowed to purchase the rights to the AC name from the Hurlock family, who had been strongly protective of the venerated name that they controlled since the 1930s.
A new AC company was established as a joint venture with Ford, who had also recently bought Aston Martin. Angliss’ company then began offering the AC MkIV. Given his legal right to use the AC name and, more importantly, the unbroken lineage of craftsmen, tools, and materials employed in their production, these cars were lauded for their high levels of build quality and their retention of the original’s spirit and are generally considered “continuation” cars.
Autokraft shortly after that, moved to a purpose-built factory in Brooklands; in total, approximately 400 MkIV Cobras were built.
Most of these were built in 'standard' MKIV guise and by special request to 'lightweight' specification, of which very few were built, a famed number of 26 was always promoted. The lightweight honed back to the original MK3 cobra styling with performance upgrades.
The main 4-inch diameter ladder chassis was retained with lightweight superstructure. The bodywork is to original short nose specification with cooling ducts and bonnet scoop, 427 type rear bodywork with recessed 4 inch racing fuel cap in the wing.
The ancillary differences were:
-chrome-plated rollover bar.
-original-style stainless steel bumper bars.
-chrome-plated overriders.
- original-type dashboard with chrome-bezel instruments.
-original-type steering column
-wood-rim steering wheel.
-two windshield wipers, as per period Cobras
-windwings and sun visors
The wheels were 15-inch Halibrands instead of the 16 inch fitment on standard MKIV's.
Most importantly, the Ford 302s fitted were carburated and uprated to stage 3 motorsport conversion with aluminium cylinder heads. (SVO).
This Lightweight, in particular, was purchased new by Mr P. Gibson after the initial order by Mr & Mrs Glasspool was cancelled. Mr Gibson specified it to his liking in Rosso Corsa with a black interior and red piping at the price of £125, 000. The next owner would be Mr P Manser in 2006, purchasing the car with 43 miles on it; he used the Cobra as intended, accumulating 5300 miles on the car before selling the vehicle to the most recent custodian, who has cherished the Cobra for the past 14 years. We have personally been familiar with this lightweight for the past two decades, and it has been subject to AC heritage works servicing throughout this time as the car transitioned between the owners UK and European homes.
Since we acquired the car, our AC heritage works have carried out comprehensive servicing alongside the refurbishment of the wheels, detailing package, and PDI checkover; further details on all works can be requested.
The registration 'A26 COB' is included in the sale, perfectly fitting, relating to the promoted 26 lightweights.
£165, 000
