1965 AC Cobra 289

• Delivered new in the UK
• Listed in the Cobra Registry
• Known ownership history
• Comprehensively restored
• Fitted with its matching-numbers engine
• Registered in France

Rightly regarded as one of the all-time great classic sports cars, 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.

Convinced that a market existed for an inexpensive sports car combining European chassis engineering and American V8 power, Le Mans-winning Texan racing driver Carroll Shelby concocted an unlikely alliance between AC Cars and the Ford Motor Company. The former's Ace provided the simple twin-tube chassis frame - designed by John Tojeiro - into which was persuaded one of Ford's lightweight, small-block V8s. To cope with the projected power increase, the Ace chassis was strengthened with heavier gauge tubing and supplied fitted with four-wheel disc brakes. Barely any heavier than an Ace fitted with a Bristol engine yet endowed with double the power and torque, the Cobra turned in a breathtaking performance, racing to 60mph in 4.4 seconds and reaching speeds of 100mph in under 12, exceptional figures by early 1960s standards and none too shabby even today.

The 260ci (4.2-litre) prototype first ran in January 1962, with production commencing later that year. Exclusively for the USA initially, Cobras - minus engines - were sent from England to be finished off by Shelby in California, and it was not until late in 1963 that AC Cars in Thames Ditton got around to building the first fully finished cars to European specification.

After 75 Cobras had been built with the 260ci engine, the more powerful 289ci (4.7-litre) unit was standardised in 1963. Rack-and-pinion steering was the major MkII update; then in 1965 a new, stronger, coil-suspended MkIII chassis was introduced to accommodate Ford's 427ci (7.0-litre) V8. Wider bodywork, extended wheelarch flares and a bigger radiator intake combined to create the definitive Cobra MkIII look.

Chassis number 'COB6047''was built by AC cars in right-hand drive configuration and originally finished in Vineyard Green with a beige interior. The Cobra was despatched to the H R Owen dealership in Kensington, West London and on 7th July 1965 was sold to its first owner, one J A 'Derry' MacPherson; the car was registered as 'EYT 78C' , a London mark.

The Cobra did not remain in England for very long, MacPherson taking it with him to San Jose, California, and in the summer of 1966 it was driven by him to the USA's East Coast. According to the Cobra Register: "The electric fan quit halfway across the country, and MacPherson visited his uncle's shop, the Pine Plains Garage (Pine Plains, NY) for repairs. He later repeated the trip in west-bound mode." Concerned that the appreciative crowds that the Cobra never failed to attract would damage the lightweight alloy bodywork, MacPherson eventually traded 'COB6047' against a Porsche 914.

In the early 1970s the Cobra was acquired by Mike Math of Venice, California, passing to another owner, in Texas, in the 1980s. Subsequently the car was purchased by Lynn Detzel of Oklahoma, who repainted it red. It was Detzel, or possibly a subsequent owner, who converted the Cobra from right- to left-hand drive. Circa 1984, 'COB6047' was acquired by George Raterink of Colorado. Eaterink added a white stripe to the red livery before selling it to another Colorado resident, Harry Matthews. According to the Cobra Register: "Matthews went through the car, making various repairs as well as detailing and fine-tuning the vehicle."

In 1987, Matthews sold 'COB6047' via Steve Mier's Encore Motorcars of Lakewood, Colorado to its next private owner: Rick Cole of California. Its next owner, Bill Schenck of Arcadia, California, acquired the Cobra from Cole later in 1987. Schenck kept 'COB6047' until 2011 when the car was sold to a new owner in France via Grand Prix Classics of La Jolla, California. The Cobra is currently registered in France.

As presented today, 'COB6047' has been the subject of a comprehensive restoration both mechanically and cosmetically, and was featured and tested by Mustang & Shelby Magazine for their edition number '025'. The car comes with its jack, spare wheel, tonneau cover and other items. Accompanying documentation consists of a history file; Cobra Register extract; invoices file; US title; UK registration document; French registration papers; and a valid technical inspection.

With a mere 1,000-or-so made by AC Cars and Shelby, early Cobras are offered for sale only rarely and 'COB6047' represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a fine example of this classic and highly sought-after Anglo-American sports car.