[Trevor Legate]

RallySnake

Yes, I do drop in at the factory as its not too far from my home. I was passing a few days after it had re-opened but the workshop was pretty empty as you can imagine. It re-opened with 9 staff. I hope to visit in the next week or 2 and find out how things are progressing - they want to see my Caterham!

To revert to a recent comment regarding the MkIV Lightweight. Definately THE Cobra to own, if an true original is unavailable. The photo on the back jacket of my last book is one such example. I had the thing parked in my photographic studio for a week - and the keys!! Wow, did thing thing take off when the clutch bit. Who needs a 7-litre?
The reason for the Lightweight was that Angliss realised that owners of genuine cars would not buy his MkIV. They always turned up for a test drive, made negative comments and went home. There was an untapped market for Cobras - hence the Lightweight which chucked out a genuine 345bhp, handled and had the original dash and sterring wheel. It was the genuine article, but with an amazingly flexible engine. He guaranteed there would be only 18 and therefore could charge a premium and £120,000 was about right. I know 3 people who brought one, including Nigel Hulme who owned the Le Mans car 39PH. Then it all went a bit sour when the owners started counting how many of their friends had brought one and it seemed to come to more than 18.......also, due to the success of the car, Angliss incorporated a lot of the cars features into the MkIV and thereafter ALL the cars were called "MkIV Lightweights". But, the genuine 18-ish examples do appear on the market from time to time - most seem to pass through Rod Leach's Nostalgia dealership, so do not expect a bargain. Possibly the Ultimate Cobra, after 1968. Also, say what you like about Brian Angliss (I'm sure some do) but you cannot fault his paintwork. That silver car I had in the studio had paint that cannot be described. You felt you could almost put your hand into it, it was almost liquid. Amazing.