1988 AC Autokraft MKIV Cobra
AC SVO Stage 3 Engine : 1960s MKIII Specification : Black/Black
£126,995

Details

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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 aluminium bodies, and utilising the same tooling and jigs used to create the original Ace and Cobra bodies. For Angliss’ new Cobra, the bodies were similar to the wide bodies 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 which 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 thereafter moved to a purpose-built factory in Brooklands; in total, approximately 400 MkIV Cobras were built.

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