Ac Mkiii 427

[Don]

At the Amelia Island ( Florida ) Concours d'Elegance there were two of the AC MK III 427 on display. Badge was " AC Original " , did not notice any reference to the name Cobra

* Numbered from COX 3360
* Continuation of the legendary model manufactured by hand in the 1960's
* All vehicles are prepared for installation of 427 engine, top loader gearbox and propshaft. Chassis is manufactured to interface with standard engine mounts.
* Available in both Street Competition and Roadster models
* Hand manufactured in the UK using the original chassis jigs and wooden body forming bucks, handcrafted of aluminium bodywork
and tailored leather interior
* Original 4 inch diameter ladderframe chassis
* Front and rear original geometry multi-link suspension with Koni

The event was hindered by a long lasting rain storm, did not have the opportunity to ask any questions.

800-67ACUSA

www.accarsusa.com

Has anyone purchased the AC MK III 427 ?

PS: Date for the 2004 Amelia Island Concours is Sunday March 14th

[kresak]

don't these actually make mr. shelby's current cars counterfeits? just wondered...

[Cal Metal]

They look like a second class citizen next to the Shelby CSX 4000. The COX is (and was) a designation for an AC export. Maybe they can get the French to buy them.

Personally, I have never understood the moniker, AC Cobra. The CSX 2000-3000 cars were Shelby Cobras. Without Shelby, the Cobra is an AC Bristol that tops out at 100 mph.

[pderouss]

Don.
I have seen a number of the AC MkIII 427's at the AC factory and there is a picture of one in my gallery. As they do not meet current UK safety regulations I am not able to puchase one and have had to make do with a modified MkIV, pictures of which are also in the gallery. These variously show it from bare metal to fully built form.

As the MkIIIs are illegal in the UK all cars should go for export, hence the COX designation. Cars that were originally destined for the UK had COB chassis prefixes, with leaf spring ones being refered to as AC Cobras. Later ones being called AC 289 or AC427 respectively.

I think Cal Metal dismisses the AC too easily and without evidence. As these cars are built on the original bucks, they must, by definition, be closer to "the real thing" than anything else that is available. For those that are lucky enough to live in countries where the regulations are more liberal ( I doubt that this includes France) the AC MkIII must be the ultimate version to own. This is one reason why AC now fit the AC Original badge that Don refers to. I have posted a picture of the one that was fitted to my car. It is intended to provide an answer to the "is it real" question bearing in mind that only a tiny fraction of Cobras have ever seen the inside of an AC factory. I personally don't like the design of the badge so have removed it and continue to answer the inevitable question.

I agree that without Shelby the Cobra would never have existed and that the CSX cars were Shelby Cobras ( COB cars were for UK consumption and COX cars were for direct export to other non- US countries). Equally without AC Shelby have had very little to offer the world as his main contribution was to fit an engine manufactured by someone else. I would not belittle this contribution as genius is often defined as the ability to connect apparently unconnected elements.

The original cars represented the best of both sides of the Atlantic, UK craftsmanship and US muscle. Hopefully this combination will lead to similar success in the current Gulf conflict.

[computerworks]

Originally posted by pderouss


It is intended to provide an answer to the "is it real" question bearing in mind that only a tiny fraction of Cobras have ever seen the inside of an AC factory.

I think you meant only a tiny fraction of Replicas.

It really isn't a "real" Cobra unless it saw the inside of a certain shop in California.

[Cal Metal]

My suggestion, and we can take a poll on this if you like, is that for, perhaps, the same dollars, consumers will buy the Shelby name (CSX 4000) before the COX AC. I take no issue with the quality of the car. It could be the most accurate replica out there. But, in my opinion, and I could be totally wrong, in this country they would be a tough sell vis a vis SAI and Kirkham.

Like the original CSX designation, their market value and popularity has always been stronger than their COB or COX brethren. The name Shelby takes precedence over the name Hurlock.

As you accurately explain, the point may be moot, as the COX cars will probably not see the light of day in this country. How many reorgs has this company been through?

[Don]

One of the ACs had a Connectcut registration plate, not a dealer plate, but a regular passenger car plate. Options included were heat shields for the side exhaust.

" Assuming " the plate was legitimate and knowing from personal experience my challenges, trailering three times to the central inspection site and having all the proper paperwork , in registrering my Cobra with the CT DMV, " appears " the import and state regulations were satisfied.

A step with the CT DMV is the Anti-Theft unit , which does a very detailed review of the paperwork prior to the application of a CT VIN which is used on the registration and title.

Another assumption, there must have been some type of Customs clearance at the port of entry, not knowing if the engine and transmission was installed in the US.

[pderouss]

I agree it is not a "real" Cobra - but it is a "real AC". As far as I am aware every "real" ( ie those built in the 60's) Cobra had a chassis that was built in an AC factory. With the exception of the Daytona's, the body was also. The only component of any significance that was not fitted in the AC factory was the engine. This, of course, was built in a Ford factory. In the majority of cases the engines were inserted into the car in California.

At no stage did the California factory produce chassis or bodies and at the time Poland had not yet even got to the stage of producing Polski Fiats.

I would therefore presume that any replica buyer ( and let's not kid ourselves - every car built since the 60's is a replica) who wants something as close as possible to a "real" Cobra would opt for an AC. The lineage of all other cars is, at the very least, one stage further removed from the "real" thing. If I were to buy a copy of a piece of fine art I would much rather it was produced by the original painter rather than the man who framed it or a man who happens make copies of one that he already owns.

By the way I am sure that you are correct in thinking that a poll on this site would agree with you. Remember however that the majority would be voting in a country that buys Cadillacs as "luxury" cars and where pick up trucks represent the single largest automotive sector. I do not mention this to disparage the views that would be represented, merely to illustrate that different countries have different views on things automotive.

I am tempted to say " vive la difference" but in the current climate do not consider this appropriate!

In the meantime let us again hope that Anglo-American co-operation is as successfull in the Gulf as it was with the original Cobras.

[Mark IV]

Cal....

"It really isn't a "real" Cobra unless it saw the inside of a certain shop in California."

I guess the guys who own "Cobras" that were finished at the Hugas shop in Pittsburgh don't really "have a Cobra?" They never saw the inside of Princeton Drive or West Imperial Highway!

Not trying to be a wise a$$ (well, maybe a little..) but I would suggest that a Cobra is a car built at AC in the '60's and sold by EITHER Shelby American or AC Cars. Anything else or built after is not an "original Cobra."

Rick





....What about

[Joe Brett]

So, where can one of these AC MK III 427 be puchased and how much? I called the # and got a computer company.

[Ant]

Cal Metal:

Your statement of the AC being a car that tops out at 100mph is probably quite right, but why try and take the credit for what AC Cars did in the first place, they made something that interested Shelby enough, so hence the evolution into what it has become a cult following.
As much as I like American muscle and their much more durable engines and gearboxes etc, you can say what you like but the poms have built some great chassis's, and bear in mind that Cobra's are old technology nowadays - this argument has been around for years, the simularity is its an Anglo-American partnership, just like the one in Iraq at the moment!

I know this isn't a political stage but some thoughts of mine below on
Iraq:
I don't support our crappy do gooder (NZ) government on their stance of letting others do the dirty work in Iraq, and they will come in and pick up the pieces after its all over. We have everything to gain by supporting the Coalition, and gain nothing by this disgusting display of lack of support. My forefathers would turn in their graves as they have fought against these dictators in the past!
My thoughts go out for the American and English people who have lost their lives fighting for this cause! We have some kiwis fighting with the US/UK Marines, and we saw on the news a NZ/Scottish black watch piper displaying the New Zealand flag in Iraq and saying to hell with our present government.
My wife said to me "that women should never be in that position of PM"
I personally have kiwi friends in the english SAS etc over there, and I hope that it is resolved in the way it has been planned!

Thanks for listening to me - Ant

[Don]

Joe:

Checked the contact number on the info sheet that was at the Amelia Island car show: As stated:

1-800-67ACUSA

www.accarsusa.com


Show was two weeks ago, thought the info sheet would be current ?

[Mark IV]

....I suspect that the "AC" part is being run as a sideline.

BTW,,

One of my sources was quoted 120 to 130 K depending upon model. I don't think the Kirkhams need to lose any sleep...


Rick

[KeithBrown]

Originally posted by Don


Joe:

Checked the contact number on the info sheet that was at the Amelia Island car show: As stated:

1-800-67ACUSA

www.accarsusa.com


Show was two weeks ago, thought the info sheet would be current ?

Link is no good.

regards,

Keith

[computerworks]

...clearly the case of a 'slight' mis-start to the business.

The web site is down...never was up. Currently on hold by the host, which usually means a "business" problem.

The domain is registered to:

AC Cars USA, Inc.
1055 N.W. 51 Court
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

954 752-2501

Let us know what you hear.

[Mark IV]

...the web site is back up. The check must have cleared.....

Rick

[terry lee]

These guys are a short drive from me. I will stop by some time in the future and see if they are for real, see what kind of a product they have to offer, and report back here.
TL