AC Cobra Dax Tojeiro V12

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The offspring of the union between American racer Carroll Shelby and English sports car maker AC, the Cobra mated the brawn of American Ford V8s with the agility of the John Tojeiro-designed AC Ace two-seater roadster.

Launched in 1962 and equipped with a variety of engines varying in size from the earliest 4.3 to the late 7-litre V8s, Cobras monstered race circuits, country lanes and freeways alike, becoming an automotive legend along the way – being blamed for the introduction of the 70mph speed limit in Britain when one was clocked at over 180mph on the new M1 motorway.

Since the demise of AC, a host of ‘homage’ Cobras have been offered – often completed to a very high standard – usually with composite bodies and with a range of V8 Ford or Chevrolet motive power giving the cars a tremendous power-to-weight ratio. First on the scene in the UK was the Essex-based family business of DJ Sportscars International with the Dax. One of the many to admire their workmanship was none other than John Tojeiro who became a director of the company in 1985.

This left-hand drive Cobra replica was specially built by Dax in 1986 for a customer who requested a Jaguar V12 engine in place of the usual V8. Using a 1978 Jaguar XJ12 as the donor vehicle, the engine was bored out from the standard 5.3-litres to 5.7-litres and fitted with a Weber carburettor conversion, the result being a power output that is claimed to be in excess of 450bhp – in a car that weighs little more than a fag packet!

The V12 is mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox, while the servo-assisted braking is courtesy of a Jaguar V12 E-Type. Riding on Halibrand-style alloys and finished in blue with white stripes and racing roundels, the interior is trimmed in blue leather with a chrome roll bar and an onboard fire extinguisher. Capable of year round use, it comes complete with hood, sidescreens and a tonneau cover.

The original owner kept the car for three years before selling it to a neighbour who was to keep it for the next 17 years. The current owner acquired the car about five years ago and has kept it at his holiday home in France ever since. In March 2010 it was treated to a new radiator plus various other bits and bobs (that you will be able to decipher provided you can read French!) at a cost of some 3,000 Euros.

Only reluctantly being sold to fund the restoration of an older XK Jaguar, the Dax is said to be in good condition throughout and is due to have a fresh MOT before the sale. With only 14,000 miles under its wheels since it was built (with many old MOTs to prove), this epic machine is barely run in yet and offers as much performance as any sane man could need.

AMENDMENT: Please note the vendor advises that the brakes on this car are sticking on slightly when the brake pedal is pressed and that it may need a new master cylinder which he is happy to fit at his own expense if desired.