Hard on the heels of the news that two new models in the iconic AC Cobra family are in transit for sale in the UK, comes an announcement that a third recreated AC model will be made available to British-based enthusiasts soon.
AC’s dealer just to the north of London, Boss Motor Company of Buckinghamshire, will be the sole source of a specially recreated model of the famous AC Cobra 378 Superblower MkIV, a sports supercar with the true AC Cobra pedigree which was conceived and launched by the current owners of AC Cars in 1998. The car raised plenty of interest and serenaded not a few motor-tuned ears with its gruff, distinctive and wholly authentic V8 soundtrack. Only a relatively few cars could be built and sold at that time. Now, 22 years later, the Superblower is back!
Priced at an eye catching £129,500 on the road, and only available from Boss Motor Company, the Superblower lists a tantalizing and high specification, which includes: Original style 4inch round tube ladder frame chassis, 6.2 litre 580bhp Supercharged V8 Engine, 6 speed gearbox, aluminium radiator and header tank with Electric Cooling Fan, High Performance – Servo Assisted Race Specification Calipers with Ventilated Disc Brake System, 3.45:1 Ratio – Limited Slip Differential, Front and Rear Multi-Link Suspension with Coil Over Shock Absorbers, Front and Rear Anti-roll bars, Pin Drive 8″ x 16″ Front – 10″ x 16″ Rear Wheels, Hand Crafted Interior Finished in Black Leather, Glovebox in Leather, Door Map Pockets, Deep Pile Carpets and Leather Covered Instrument Panel.
Orders are now being taken by Boss (Call: 01923 267200 or www.bossmotor.co.uk) for the new factory-built AC Cobra 378 Superblower MkIV. This car is a genuine AC Cars product and will come with a certificate of authenticity and a designated ‘COB’ chassis number on the correct ‘AC Cars’ Chassis Plate.
The first production car is currently being built, and further customer cars will be available to order.
AC COBRAS BOUND FOR BRITAIN ONCE MORE
The first step to returning one of the world’s motoring icons to its true place – on sale in its spiritual home, the UK – took place today with the shipment to Britain of the two new AC Cobra models announced on the 1st of July.
The AC Cobra Series 1 electric is a faithful recreation of the AC Cobra but with a modern, emissions-free electric powertrain and the AC Cobra 140 Charter Edition features the same 2.3 litre high power engine used by Ford in its latest Mustang model. The two ACs were loaded today to ship from the factory to the UK.
The two new cars are each being produced in two limited editions of 58 cars for sale in the UK. The number of cars is significant because it is 58 years since the creation of the world-famous AC Cobra model.
The two cars are now on the way to the Derby premises of Falcon Electric ). Falcon is designing and will supply the electric motor and running gear for the electric model and also install the Ford-sourced petrol engine for the Charter Edition model. Speaking today the man behind the project to return AC to sales, Alan Lubinsky, said that the significance of the shipment couldn’t be overestimated. “It may be 58 years since AC first shipped Cobras around the world but it’s only one month since AC Cars said we would do just that once again and now we’re bang on time”. Mr Lubinsky said full details of the sales plans for the two new models would be made available once the first two production cars are completed in the coming weeks.
Ownership and pedigree
The fact that AC Cars is able to contemplate a fully thought-through rebirth at such a time of upheaval in the global auto industry is largely thanks to the strengths and perseverance of the UK’s longest surviving car brand, founded in 1901.
“Our long saga reflects the many challenges of making sports cars in low volumes in the modern world”, said Alan Lubinsky, Chief Executive of AC Cars. “But, over the years, our belief in the brand has been sustained by the loyalty and support of AC Cobra owners worldwide. Their faith has given us the motivation to keep on striving to give AC a future – and with these superb new products, engineered not just for today but for tomorrow, I am convinced we have given AC a bright future”.
“We have more exciting plans ahead but our focus for now is to get these 116 cars built, sold and out where they should be – on the open road”, he said.
AC has strengthened is management team with the appointment to its Board of its long-term legal adviser, Neil Baylis as a non-executive director. Mr Baylis, a Partner in the top London law firm of Mishcon de Reya LLP, said: “This a critical moment in the history of the UK’s oldest motor maker – AC. I am privileged to be on board at this challenging time for car makers, large and small.