AC Mk V

[What'saCobra?]

Some time ago James was warned off the initial MKV's. Tough, very hard & hurtful, his words. Transitional. He now obviously agrees that those warnings were valid. He returns to explain that now things are indeed much better. We hope so. Some valid evidence and important opinion exists that things may be different, but perhaps not much better. Perhaps some better. Time will tell. Owen has his job to do.

To the degree that funds and authority are available to Owen to accomplish his duties, things will improve. But, that is exactly the previous difficulties origins.

We are now suggesting J review and examine the recorded variances between Mr. Owen and Mr. Luby, if he wishes to understand the probabilities and Owen's real difficulties. Of course, given the circumstances, Owen is still ooperating; existence is a significant task in itself.

Youthful exuberance will explain the tendency to lump significant details and personalities together and fail to notice the important differences.

Failing to understand, however, does not make the error more correct.

We hope Owen will succeed in some fashion, as the industry needs more players and choices to improve the breed.

We also hope J will some day own a Cobra... of any sort.

[Excaliber]

RedBarchetta, as is in the 1949 Ferrari Barchetta? Without a doubt! And your point is well taken. The '49 Ferrari influenced auto design for decades following it's introduction. It was a water shed event in automotive design. The Austin Healey could be included in that group! MG certainly, Masserati as well. Heck is there ANY a foriegn made 'sports car' from the 50's (and continuing well into the 60's) that you couldn't link to the Barchetta for styling cues? I doubt it. Long hood, short wheel base, curved body lines. Curved body lines being the biggest single factor. Consider the MGTD, clearly NOT influenced by the Ferrari. The Ferrari was as profound a statement on 'modern' styling as the original Mustang was. which inspired a classic design for many years to come, the 'pony car'!

I always thought it a little strange this idea that "Superformance" makes continuation Cobras, they don't, Hi Tech does. Mere semantics? Not to me anyway, a distinction worthy of note. Superformance is licensed by Shelby for their product, a REPLICA Cobra. Like any other product you might obtain 'licensing' rights for. A guitar, a bowl of chilli, mopeds (yes MOPEDS), etc. etc. There are a HUGE number of things 'licensed' by Shelby, Superformance is only one...

...and now back to AC. At least with Shelby there is a substantial link to the 'man' himself, one man, Carroll Shelby, still with us, still making the dream. It could however be reasonably argued, concerning the validity of todays continuation Cobra, as to wether it should be considered 'real' or 'what ever'. Personally I accept them as 'real' as it gets, but I understand the argument. Ferraris are forever linked to Enzo, even though he has passed on, his heritage is intack and continues, as will continuation Shelby Cobras.

AC is considerably more complex. There is no single 'man' per se, the lineage is far more convoluted than the modern day Cobra. To me it's SO screwed up I'm not sure a 'real' AC exists anymore. All though I understand the argument that it does. At best it's a 'licensed' product!

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Trevor Legate

p.s. The Intergalactic Cobra Czar (it just gets better!) received an envelope in the post today. Cheers muchly. The photo-copies make interesting and whimsical reading...

So you DID notice your promotion?

I thought you might like those particular photocopies. And I have even more!

I am a veritible treasure trove of useless information!

Rick

[CSX 4027]

ElloM8,
Unless your bangin your mash you can't possible think anything of the Mk V an being monikered as an AC for anything north of a few quid.
It's really a rough car worthy of a start up XYZ kit car company. Not AC
I could build a better car out of my 2 car garage. I just couldn't call it an AC. Apparently, at this point, that would appear to be a positive.
My Motto
Good
Fast
Cheap
Pick 2. You don't get everything
Which 2 is in line with AC's motto?

Originally Posted by london

The AC Mk V is now on sale in the UK at Clive Sutton in London.

See the attached link:

http://www.clivesutton.net/category.php?catid=596

The interior looks significantly different from the Mk Vs on sale in the US last year. Clive Sutton recently advertised a Mk V for £59,950 (expensive!) but hopefully AC have sorted out the quality issues prevalent in the first cars.


The US distributor in now Unique Performance I believe.

[Mark IV]

Unique has dropped any mention of AC from their website. Perhaps they have smelled the coffee.

Poor John Owen, he is like a guy bailing the Titanic with a bucket.................expected to produce "quality" cars with a new staff and limited resources.

And has anyone else noticed that "fearless leader" has been absent from the public eye for about a year now? Perhaps he is really dead, like Paul McCartney?

Rick

[Trevor Legate]

Not sure the bucket has a bottom to it...must not post...must not post....

and rumours of Paul McC's depature are greatly exaggerated (mind you, living with That Woman must have been a form of living death - I had the deep misfortune to meet her long before she was notorious/famous. A day in the company of Jo Stalin must have been a laugh a minute in comparision....)

[Dingocooke]

Paul McC and 'that' woman; classic old guy with young bird; sound judgement obscured by delight!! I understand a far nicer lady has now stepped into her shoe..

[Trevor Legate]

Far nicer? That ain't difficult!! But the ex will hop off into distance with her millions (which, let face was what all that was ever about - err - allegedly and in my worthless opinon....!)

I could now post some stuff here that would get the site shut down within seconds, so I'll refrain and get back to the fascinating topic of the MkV. errrmmm.......

[Mark IV]

To quote Robin Williams......................

"God gave man a penis AND a brain, just not enough blood to run them both at the same time"