The oldest surviving AC Mk IV

In 1967, the cooperation between Carroll Shelby and AC Cars ended after five years and with it, after only 998 versions were built, the history of Cobra. In just five years, it had become a legend without a successor to follow in its tracks. AC still attended to spare parts and services until the early 70s, then Brian Angliss took over this job with his company, Autokraft. Angliss remained in contact with Thames Ditton, making it possible for him to take over the old tools and body shapes from AC. He was convinced that even long after the end of production there was still enough demand for Cobras, mainly because the prices for originals were venturing to a whole new level. He managed to convince AC of his plan, and so began production of the AC Mk IV, 15 years after the last Cobra Mk III. A slightly improved chassis, a bit more comfort in the somewhat larger cockpit, yet still formed from aluminum and powered by a large V8 – and voila, the legend was reborn.

The AK02 was one of the first Mk IVs that was sent to the DOT tests in the USA without a motor. This handful of cars from Ford were fitted with different motors to receive approval from the authorities, in the case of the AK02 it was a 351 cubic inch Ford V8. The AK01 is believed to have been destroyed during these tests, making the AK02 the oldest survivor of its kind. As an early model it still runs without a fuel injection system, a carburetor prepares the fuel mixture, and a Borg-Warner five-speed gearbox the power transmission. This Cobra then came to Austria in 2013. Of course, it is not old, nor does it want to be – a welcome contrast to the large number of replicas. It is an AC Mk IV and is as real as it can be, just the way it is!

VIN: AK02, Mileage: 27,746 mls (read from odometer), Color: Red / Black (leather), Displacement: 5.753 ccm/V8, Power: 330 HP, Gearbox: 5-speed, Papers: Austrian special permit

VIN: AK02, Mileage: 27,746 mls (original), Color: Red / Black (leather), Displacement: 5.753 ccm/V8, Power: 330 HP, Gearbox: 5-speed, Papers: Austrian special permit