Superformance Mk3 AC Cobra 427 Roadster - 1996
Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Bonhams
Estimated : € 100.000 - 150.000
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2018
- Carroll Shelby-approved Cobra replica
- 428ci (7.0-litre) Ford V8 engine
- Manual transmission
- Two owners
- 11.771 miles (approximately 18.900 km) from new
'There's an exception when it comes to Jimmy Price and Lance Stander. Superformance International makes replica Cobras in South Africa and calls the two-seat roadster they build the MkIII. ...I've endorsed and licensed the car for being as close to correct and well-built as possible.' – Carroll Shelby.
Rightly regarded as one of the all-time great classic sports cars, the muscular, fire-breathing Cobra succeeded in capturing the hearts of enthusiasts like few of its contemporaries. Convinced that a market existed for an inexpensive sports car combining European chassis engineering and American V8 power, Le Mans-winning Texan racing driver Carroll Shelby concocted an unlikely alliance between AC Cars and the Ford Motor Company. The former's Ace provided the simple twin-tube chassis frame into which was persuaded one of Ford's lightweight, small-block V8s. In 1965 a new, stronger, coil-suspended chassis was introduced to accommodate Ford's 427 ci (7.0-litre) V8, an engine that in race trim was capable of producing well in excess of 400 bhp. Wider bodywork, extended wheelarch flares, and a bigger radiator intake combined to create the definitive - and much copied - Cobra 427 look.
Only 1.000-or-so Cobras of all types were built between 1962 and 1967, but such was the model's enduring popularity that production was resumed in 1982 under the auspices of Brooklands-based Autokraft. In parallel with Autokraft's 'official' MkIV version, a worldwide cottage industry of replica-builders emerged to satisfy the continuing demand for the legendary Cobra, making it arguably the most popular 'kit car' of all time.
The car offered here is the 74th Cobra MkIII built by the Carroll Shelby-approved Superformance International. In line with Superformance's policy, it was constructed as a fully finished rolling chassis and despatched to their customer (in the USA) for equipping with the engine and transmission of their choice. In this case the combination chosen was Ford's 428 ci (7.0-litre) 'big block' V8 engine and a Ford Toploader four-speed manual gearbox. Engine specification highlights include fully ported and polished cylinder heads, stainless steel valves, custom grind camshaft with hydraulic lifters, Keith Black high-performance pistons, Edelbrock double-roller timing chain, and a Melling high-volume oil pump. Maximum power is reported as in the region of 550 bhp. Other noteworthy features include fully adjustable shock absorbers, Smiths instruments, Superformance Cobra-look wheels, roll bar, Goodyear Eagle tyres, side-exit exhausts, sun visors, and a black leather interior.
Superformance Mk3 AC Cobra 427 Roadster - 1996
Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Bonhams
Estimated : € 100.000 - 150.000
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2018
- Carroll Shelby-approved Cobra replica
- 428ci (7.0-litre) Ford V8 engine
- Manual transmission
- Two owners
- 11.771 miles (approximately 18.900 km) from new
'There's an exception when it comes to Jimmy Price and Lance Stander. Superformance International makes replica Cobras in South Africa and calls the two-seat roadster they build the MkIII. ...I've endorsed and licensed the car for being as close to correct and well-built as possible.' – Carroll Shelby.
Rightly regarded as one of the all-time great classic sports cars, the muscular, fire-breathing Cobra succeeded in capturing the hearts of enthusiasts like few of its contemporaries. Convinced that a market existed for an inexpensive sports car combining European chassis engineering and American V8 power, Le Mans-winning Texan racing driver Carroll Shelby concocted an unlikely alliance between AC Cars and the Ford Motor Company. The former's Ace provided the simple twin-tube chassis frame into which was persuaded one of Ford's lightweight, small-block V8s. In 1965 a new, stronger, coil-suspended chassis was introduced to accommodate Ford's 427 ci (7.0-litre) V8, an engine that in race trim was capable of producing well in excess of 400 bhp. Wider bodywork, extended wheelarch flares, and a bigger radiator intake combined to create the definitive - and much copied - Cobra 427 look.
Only 1.000-or-so Cobras of all types were built between 1962 and 1967, but such was the model's enduring popularity that production was resumed in 1982 under the auspices of Brooklands-based Autokraft. In parallel with Autokraft's 'official' MkIV version, a worldwide cottage industry of replica-builders emerged to satisfy the continuing demand for the legendary Cobra, making it arguably the most popular 'kit car' of all time.
The car offered here is the 74th Cobra MkIII built by the Carroll Shelby-approved Superformance International. In line with Superformance's policy, it was constructed as a fully finished rolling chassis and despatched to their customer (in the USA) for equipping with the engine and transmission of their choice. In this case the combination chosen was Ford's 428 ci (7.0-litre) 'big block' V8 engine and a Ford Toploader four-speed manual gearbox. Engine specification highlights include fully ported and polished cylinder heads, stainless steel valves, custom grind camshaft with hydraulic lifters, Keith Black high-performance pistons, Edelbrock double-roller timing chain, and a Melling high-volume oil pump. Maximum power is reported as in the region of 550 bhp. Other noteworthy features include fully adjustable shock absorbers, Smiths instruments, Superformance Cobra-look wheels, roll bar, Goodyear Eagle tyres, side-exit exhausts, sun visors, and a black leather interior.