“ Rover 3.5L V8 power, with 17" Halibrands and Moto-Lita steering wheel. ”
Also comes with weather gear and twin side pipes.

Background
Few cars have been as widely copied as AC’s Cobra, and yet even among the many different models that have been available over the decades, the name of AK Sportscars stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Formed by Ken (d’ya see where they got the ‘K’ from?) and Alan (ah, you’re ahead of us already, aren’t you?) back in the 1980s, in the beginning it was more of a hobby than a commercial proposition.

But, as their reputation grew, so did their business – and as their business grew, their families joined them. Still very much a family firm, AK Sportscars still has an unrivalled reputation among the Cobra fraternity as the builders of some of the best, if not the best, replicas in the industry.

Overview
Powered by the legendary 3.5-litre Rover V8 engine, ‘C536 KER’ breathes through a Holley carburettor, exhales through twin side pipes, sits on 17-inch Halibrand alloy wheels, and is piloted via a Mota-Lita steering wheel.

Of course, it also has the all-important twin silver stripes running over the bonnet and down the boot lid, plus tubular bumpers and a rollover hoop.

It therefore looks, sounds, and feels every inch a Cobra.

Albeit a domesticated one because this one’s got full weather equipment, three wind deflectors, a smokey blue metallic finish, and an uncommonly good standard of fit ‘n’ finish.

It’s also showing fewer than 7,500 miles on the odometer, runs and drives well, and is a credit to its owner, who bought it back in 2016.

Exterior
The fibreglass bodywork is very nicely aligned, with the doors sitting neatly in their apertures and opening and closing easily. They latch securely too, and the rubber seals all look to be plump and pliable still.

There are no dents, dinks, or ripples either and the overall impression is of a well-presented example that sits four-square with a suitably sporting stance.

The smokey blue metallic paintwork is an unusually appealing twist that brings the Cobra’s iconic lines slap-bang into the 21st century. It’s a subtle colour too, and won’t age in the way some of the more, er, ‘period’ colours might.

But there are some delightfully period touches including the 17-inch Halibrand alloys. These are held on with five studs, but the faux centre-lock spinner is more convincing than most, adding to their charm.

They’re also in great shape with no scuffs, scrapes, or other kerbing damage, and only a slight dulling of their finish.

Tyres are Falken GR3 FK451’s all round, with 215/45ZR17 on the front and 245/45ZR17 on the rear. They’re good tyres and were made in Japan – but they were made there in 2003, so are well past their use-by date.

Nonetheless, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The Cobra comes with a black folding roof, which might be a touch rudimentary, but it gets the job done and it is still in a good condition with no rips, holes, or tears.

It clips onto the bodywork securely and the plastic rear screen is bright and clear. The car also comes with two clear door tops that fit equally well and offer a sliding aperture for ventilation and, perhaps, paying toll fees should you venture further afield.

Even more rudimentary is the tonneau cover. Again, it is in a good condition with no damage and has working press-studs and a zip. The Cobra also comes with a pair of wind deflectors that clamp onto the edge of the windscreen plus a removeable deflector that sits behind the seats.

Thus equipped, turbulence is kept to a minimum, so if it were ours, we’d be tempted to leave the roof at home and take just the tonneau; nothing beats a bracing rush of freezing-cold wind around your head and shoulders while your nether regions are kept nice and warm beneath the cover.

It will also serve to keep the cockpit dry when you park it up and keep your belongings out of sight of prying eyes. As you might have guessed, we’re big fans of a tonneau and think its presence is a real boon.

The P700 headlamps are another delightful touch and they, like the other lamp lenses, are free of chips, cracks, and other damage.

Other nice touches include the rear wing protectors, the metal heatshield that protects the bodywork where the side-exit exhausts poke out, a stick-on front numberplate, and the aircraft-style alloy fuel filler cap.

As for its overall condition, some of the chromework is gently tarnished, the windscreen is delaminating, the exhaust tailpipes are pitted, the boot lid’s nearside edge sits proud, and the front end and the area around the fuel filler cap have some chips.

The paintwork is generally very good, although we note it has microblistering across the front and rear wings, the doors, and the scuttle.

View car and current price bid HERE