Billy Joel's Cobra for sale through Exotic Classics, Syosset NY

[SunDude]

I just came across the following listing for AK1059, an Autokraft MkIV "Cobra" roadster, which is for sale through Exotic Classics in Syosset, New York. *No affiliation with the seller; am just posting for interest's sake.

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1985 Shelby Cobra by Autokraft | Call for Price
1985 Shelby Cobra by Auto Kraft -

1985 Autokraft Mark IV Shelby Cobra
VIN#SA9AK3022FAO17059

Original owner was singer Billy Joel.

Black with black leather interior.AC Cobra AK3022 [sic] has a handmade aluminum body, manufactured AC factory in Surrey England, at the Brooklands facility using the original jigs,dyes and bucks that were used to make the original 1960s Shelby Cobras. The Autokraft Mark IVs were so accurate in the way they were manufactured that they are listed in the Shelby Registry. All bodies and chassis are stamped with the original AC factory markings.

1 of only 385 made, weighs only 2600 lbs, powered by 302 Ford V8 producing 400 hp. 5 speed manual Tremec transmission. Top speed of 134 mph. 0-60 5.2 sec. Halibrand SC Cobra Wheels. Soft convertible top with side windows.

Leather seats, Smith gauges, full independent suspension, tubular steel frame front to back, 4 wheel power hydraulic disc brakes. $45,000 when new.

[Mark IV]

Aw jeez, not this sh!t again!?!?!?

Was NOT sold to Billy Joel new......how do I know? I sold it! I sold it to Frank Weber, not Billy. Never met Billy myself.

Who is "Frank Weber"? Well I ordered and sold the car to Mr. Weber via "Frank Management" which at the time I assumed to be a real estate or such management company. When I delivered the car via my truck and trailer to Frank's house in Smithtown on Long Island I was surprised to find a nondescipt ranch home in a middle class area. After unloading the car and going to his back yard to do paperwork I found a very nice, extremely upgraded back yard with an extensive deck system.

Frank's son soon appeared with a copy of "Variety" and announced that they were no 3 "rising on the charts" and I still had no idea. It was only later that I found out "Frank Management" was a musical management operation and the person thaey managed was Frank's Brother-in-Law a certain Billy Joel! Billy apparently accquired the car in the lawsuit he filed against Frank for mismanagement after he divorced Franks sister, Mrs. Joel #1.

The car as pictured does not represent the car as delivered. The AC MK IV I dropped off had the right hand dual pipe outlet exhaust as well as the standard 5.0 HO dual snorkel air cleaner with a very different intake and carb. Had the standard leather Moto-Lita wheel with "AC" crash hub in the center. I know this car has been sold several times as the "Billy Joel AC" and every time I see I post the real story. I do remember some years ago it going through the Maroone Ford store in Florida (deja vue, I knew the Maroones when they lived here and went to school with the kids) being hyped as Billy's car.

I will dig out the paperwork and post when I get time..............just don't pay extra if you think Christie Brinkley graced the seats...................

[SunDude]

Oops, sorry Rick.

But IIRC the SAAC Registry lists Joel as the original owner, too.

UPDATE: I stand corrected. The Registry says the car was first owned by Stormin' Norman Gray, and then was later purchased by Billy Joel.

[Mark IV]

No, I know Norman also (That is ANOTHER story!!!)

Norman's MK IV was wrecked by Roush and sold to him without disclosure. I drove Norman's MK IV at Mid Ohio at a SAAC convention. But only after riding shotgun down the FDR in NYC at a buck-twenty five while Norman b!tched about something.

Like Zelig, I was there for it all..................

And seeing as my interview with Kopec was the basis of the SAAC registry regarding the MK IV, before he became really p!ssed at me, my word is the final say! (all hail the great Gazoo!!!!)

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Aw jeez, not this sh!t again!?!?!?

Was NOT sold to Billy Joel new......how do I know? I sold it! I sold it to Frank Weber, not Billy. Never met Billy myself.

Who is "Frank Weber"? Well I ordered and sold the car to Mr. Weber via "Frank Management" which at the time I assumed to be a real estate or such management company. When I delivered the car via my truck and trailer to Frank's house in Smithtown on Long Island I was surprised to find a nondescipt ranch home in a middle class area. After unloading the car and going to his back yard to do paperwork I found a very nice, extremely upgraded back yard with an extensive deck system.

Frank's son soon appeared with a copy of "Variety" and announced that they were no 3 "rising on the charts" and I still had no idea. It was only later that I found out "Frank Management" was a musical management operation and the person thaey managed was Frank's Brother-in-Law a certain Billy Joel! Billy apparently accquired the car in the lawsuit he filed against Frank for mismanagement after he divorced Franks sister, Mrs. Joel #1.

The car as pictured does not represent the car as delivered. The AC MK IV I dropped off had the right hand dual pipe outlet exhaust as well as the standard 5.0 HO dual snorkel air cleaner with a very different intake and carb. Had the standard leather Moto-Lita wheel with "AC" crash hub in the center. I know this car has been sold several times as the "Billy Joel AC" and every time I see I post the real story. I do remember some years ago it going through the Maroone Ford store in Florida (deja vue, I knew the Maroones when they lived here and went to school with the kids) being hyped as Billy's car.

I will dig out the paperwork and post when I get time..............just don't pay extra if you think Christie Brinkley graced the seats...................

I love it when the truth comes out.


Bill S.

[Mark IV]

It may be (and I have never been able to confirm this) that Billy got the car as part of the settlement of his 15 million dollar suit against Frank Weber. If so, agian I don't know if he ever drove it or just sold it on.

And I just noticed the non-Autokraft "Dagmar" courtesy lamp installed on the rear bulkhead in lieu of the Land Rover unit used from the factory. Lots of "upgrades" on this chassis.

I love when people pay extra for a "celebrity" car with no documentation. Hey, how much LESS is a car from the Kartrashians worth?

[mickmate]

The 15's make a big difference to improving the appearance I think.

[SunDude]

Gawd, I think I really stepped in it this time, posting both the Joel car and CSX3016 in one go...

Oh well, at least these posts are turning out to be entertaining.

[601HP]

Originally Posted by SunDude

Gawd, I think I really stepped in it this time, posting both the Joel car and CSX3016 in one go...

Oh well, at least these posts are turning out to be entertaining.

Now to be known as: DramaDude or ControversyDude or.....??

David

[SunDude]

My wife always said I was trouble.

[Mark IV]

Nah Brian, no trouble.

It is interesting how some dealers/sellers must play "used car salesman" and "embellish" every car they have for sale................

Some info on Frank (Billy's ex brother-in-law) here A $90 Million Matter of Distrust Pits Billy Joel Against His Ex-Manager : People.com

I just can't figure out how you have enough hours in the day to dig up all the stuff you do!

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

...I just can't figure out how you have enough hours in the day to dig up all the stuff you do!

I work for the Gubmint.

[mptech]

Paparazzi aside.

Interesting car, have not run acroos them before. Can someone give me some more details / history on these cars (AC Cobra AK3022 (??) 1985?

... handmade aluminum body, manufactured AC factory in Surrey England, at the Brooklands facility using the original jigs,dyes and bucks that were used to make the original 1960s Shelby Cobras. The Autokraft Mark IVs were so accurate in the way they were manufactured that they are listed in the Shelby Registry. All bodies and chassis are stamped with the original AC factory markings.

1 of only 385 made, weighs only 2600 lbs, powered by 302 Ford V8 producing 400 hp. 5 speed manual Tremec transmission.

Thanks

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by mptech

Paparazzi aside. Interesting car, have not run acroos them before. Can someone give me some more details / history on these cars (AC Cobra AK3022 (??) 1985 Thanks

At the risk of embarrassing myself further, let me offer a very simplified answer.

From the early 1980s to the mid/late 1990s, a small company in England called CP Autokraft (run by Brian Angliss) produced a series of aluminum-bodied roadsters sold first as Autokraft MkIVs and (after Angliss acquired the rights to the AC Cars trademarks) as the AC Cobra MkIV.

The MkIVs were powered by small-block Ford V8s, and were built to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards of the day (a rare thing in the Cobra world). The cars looked like Cobras, but had several modern features such as shock-absorbing bumpers, head rests, side-impact door beams, and soft interior trim, switches and dashboards.


Note, the chassis number of the Billy Joel car is AK1059, not 3022 as per the seller listing.

[Karl Bebout]

What a great story! Car salesmen and chicken farmers are famous for "embelishing" truth and facts. Lotsa others too, including maybe just a few Cobra replica owners. Excellent commentary, MarkIV.

[Mark IV]

Haven't found the file with Weber's paprwork but did find a copy of the Autokraft invoice to me for the car and the directions to Frank's house....

[centerpunch]

It's Baaaaaaaaaaaaack!

(Well, it's not back, it's just still there, With Billy Joel STILL the original owner......)
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Shelby Other Cobra | eBay
.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by centerpunch

It's Baaaaaaaaaaaaack!

(Well, it's not back, it's just still there, With Billy Joel STILL the original owner......)
.
Shelby Other Cobra | eBay
.

Time is money, and they seem to be wasting both

[1985 CCX]

I love this car!
Just cant get over the fact these cars do not appreciate much. The red headed stepchild syndrome.....

[Bartruff1]

Christy Brinkley you say ? Would they be willing to sell the passenger seat ?? If that can be authenticated , I would give them $1000 for it and if it has any....ah....er...." patina "......$2000.....