AC Cobra Driving Experiences

The result of a joint partnership between the heritage car manufacturer AC Cars in the UK, and Shelby Racing over in the US, the AC Cobra proved an iconic sports car from its launch in 1962, built between their respective plants in Thames Ditton, Surrey and Los Angeles, California.

Produced with assistance and input from Ford, who were looking to corner in on the market that was then dominated by Chevrolet’s Corvette model in terms of performance cars, it was the first of AC’s models to be kitted out with a lightweight, small block V8 engine, succeeding the straight-6 engines that had always been in their previous cars.

And thus a sports car was born that was revolutionary in all aspects, in terms of aerodynamics, handling and most importantly of all, power. The V8 on the Cobra roars into life with 485 bhp, accelerating rapidly from 0 - 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, 0 - 100 mph in 10.2 seconds, and you can expect to reach top speeds of 160 mph.

Such was the popularity of the AC Cobra, that AC Cars subsequently produced a version of the car for use in the popular American motorsport of drag racing in 1963. The model, called the Dragon Snake, went on to win several NHRA National events, with Bruce Larson and Ed Hardrick racing them to pole position.

Another version of the Cobra, called the Shelby Daytona Coupe, was produced in 1964, for a run of six models, to compete in the world famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race. It came second in the Grand Tourer category that same year.