AC Cobra Driving Experiences

The AC Cobra is one of the most recognisable sports cars ever built. It came about in 1962 when British manufacturer AC Cars joined forces with American racing legend Carroll Shelby to create something seriously exciting. The idea was simple. Take AC's lightweight roadster and fit it with a powerful Ford V8. What followed was a car that quickly became famous for its performance, both on the road and on the racetrack.

At the time, it was a big change for AC Cars, which had previously used smaller straight-six engines. The addition of a V8 transformed the car's character and helped establish the Cobra as one of the most talked-about sports cars of the 1960s.

Even today, the numbers are impressive. With around 485 bhp, the Cobra can reach 60 mph in under five seconds and continue on to a top speed of around 160 mph. More importantly, it feels every bit as dramatic as those figures suggest.

From the unmistakable shape to the thunderous V8 soundtrack, the Cobra delivers the sort of driving experience that modern cars often struggle to match. It's raw, loud and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

If the Cobra catches your eye, there's plenty more to explore. Fans of Shelby's creations will probably recognise the famous Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor, while our Muscle Car Experiences offer the chance to get behind the wheel of some equally memorable machinery.

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.