The AC Cobra is perhaps the world's most appealing sports car! The history of the AC Cobra starts with the British sports car manufacturer AC Cars. They delivered a beautiful - open - sports car with handmade, aluminum bodywork on a beautifully designed tube chassis, the AC Ace.
The engine used was the sophisticated Bristol six-seater, a BMW design from before the war. When Bristol decided in 1961 to stop production and go for the Chrysler 5,4 liter V8. Problem for AC. After several attempts at other manufacturers, a deal was finally concluded with Ford for the delivery of the 2,6 liter Ford Zephyr Six engine. It is September 1961 when AC receives a letter from the American Carroll Shelby asking if they can deliver an AC Ace suitable for a small V8. Shelby had previously tried to extract such a V8 from General Motors, but feared that they would then get a direct competitor for the Corvette. AC grabbed immediately and found a willing ear at Ford. The AC Ace with Ford V8 was born, the beginning of a legend, an icon! After receiving the 4,2 liter Ford V8 in Great Britain, it was directly spooned into the chassis, extensively tested, improved and tested again. When the project was finished, the engine and gearbox were removed and the rolling chassis / bodywork was put on the plane with the destination Shelby in Los Angeles. Once there, the mechanics of the Santa Fe Springs-based company Dean Moon screwed in a fresh 4,2 liter V8 and gearbox. Eight hours later Carroll Shelby was able to start his success.