[Trevor Legate]

AC and Ken Rudd had considered the Buick and Corvette V8 if they could be obtained, tho they had set their heart on a supply of V8s from Jaguar/Daimler as used in the Dart but Jag were not exactly helpful. Shelby just walked through the door at the right time, both in Detroit and Thames Ditton and was a very lucky and persuasive little rascal. He pulled off a once-in-a-lifetime deal and discovered the ancient and noble art of making Money....

I agree that the Ace would have continued (the Cobra was originally called the Ace MkIII in the AC drawing office) and been a good, although expensive alternative to the big Healey.

Mr.Shelby knows the amount of work AC did and always pays them credit - when he is in this country, as he did at the Haynes Cobra day - but then plays the Good Ol' American boy routine when at home. Witness his many past speeches and habit of crossing out the AC logo on the Cobra handbook etc etc. Can't really blame him for that since its all part of his business and muddying the past all helps promote the Cobra myth in his home country. (A lot of his past anti-AC rants were directed more against Brian Angliss when their deal fell through). Still, thats all in the past, innit...???