AC Cobra 427 Replica

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“Don't buy a GE 427 to impress your mother-in-law. Don't buy one as a family runabout. Don't buy one to take your bank manager to lunch. Buy one for the sheer enjoyment” – Gravetti Engineering.

Rightly regarded as one of the all-time great classic sports cars, the muscular, fire-breathing Cobra succeeded in capturing the hearts of enthusiasts like few of its contemporaries. Only 1,000-or-so Cobras of all types were built between 1962 and 1967, a worldwide cottage industry of replica-builders emerged to satisfy the continuing demand for the legendary Cobra, making it arguably the most popular 'kit car' of all time.

The car offered here is in the popular Cobra 427 style and was professionally built circa 1990/1991 utilising the suspension components from a 1972 Jaguar. Gravetti (aka CK Ltd) marketed a quality Cobra replica that could be purchased pre-built by their engineering team or was available for home construction. Operating from Wincanton in Somerset, they supplied a chassis of tubular steel, a body shell of Glass Reinforced Plastic, a choice of reconditioned Ford small and big block engines together with three gearbox options.

Suspension for the rear came from the marvellous Jaguar IRS with double wishbones taking care of bumps and cornering at the front. Keeping the huge amounts of Cobra power on the road is a set of replica Hallibrand wheels, which frame the stainless steel sidepipes front and rear (supplied by Rawles Motorsport of Hants). In this car, neat oatmeal leather Cobra replica seats combine with a fully carpeted and trimmed cockpit.

A huge history file is provided with the car which bidders are invited to inspect, although brief highlights are as follows. Believed built in the early 1990s with first mention of Cobra on the MOT test certificate of September 25th 1992. A total of 15 old MOT certificates show a gradual rise in mileage to 3,474 miles in 2008, when it looks as though a speedo change has taken place, a further 219 miles having been added to the new speedo since. The last MOT expired in June 2012 but the car has been in storage since, coming to the sale from a deceased estate.

Full weather equipment and soft top are also included. All in all this Cobra appears to have led a sheltered ‘high days and holidays life’ so typical of such cars. It isn’t practical for shopping or popping round to take granny to the doctor’s which is the whole point. It is a totally self-indulgent power trip and you don’t care who knows it!