Thanks to the efforts of AC Heritage in Brooklands these cars live on in their spiritual home

Production: 1990-date (AC and AC Heritage

While AC ploughed on with its traditionally shaped new cars, there was an active demand for period-looking recreations which companies such as Superformance and Kirkham were happy to meet. Yet when it moved out of Brooklands to Frimley in 2001, AC retained much of its original ’60s tooling, along with a loyal and highly skilled workforce that was more than capable of producing completely accurate, bespoke continuation cars – with £100,000-plus price tags.

Before AC in the UK closed its doors, a handful of cars was produced under the AC Autokraft banner at Brooklands, Frimley and – finally – Guildford. These included 289 and 427 ‘Cobra’ cars, including a highly desirable FIA model which was accurate down to its cut-away doors.

However, the venture was shortlived and the continuation cars, as impressive as they are, weren’t enough to maintain AC’s survival alone. Riorden Welby’s example (left) is a faithful 427 MkIII recreation. Post-2002 continuation cars were never officially referred to as Cobras due to opposition from Shelby.

Thanks to the efforts of AC Heritage, based at Brooklands and run by Steve Gray, these cars live on in their spiritual home. The factory produces new-build 289, 427 and Shelby Cobra cars using the traditional AC-designed tubular chassis that has underpinned all Cobras. The lightweight aluminium body is period-authentic and built on the original Thames Ditton tooling.

Given the current upward tangent in values of ’60s cars with cast-iron history, these Brooklands-produced cars, with their direct bloodline, could be a sound investment for the future.

To follow 'All the Cobras' story click HERE