Cobra MkIV Prices

[Chafford]

I was thumbing through some old magazines the other day and came across the excellent Classic Cars article on the MkIV from March 2009 (What a wonderful wedding present for Mr Norris!).
   
   The article values the standard MkIV at between £45,000 and £60,000. However today's prices for even the standard cars seems to be £90,000+ going on prices quoted by dealers such as Redline. Given the recession over the past few years, this seems to be a meteoric rise but I'm wondering whether the Cobra 50th anniversary is playing a large part in the prices being quoted.
   
   And there seems to be a considerable disparity between MkIV prices quoted in the UK and those in the US where they are considerably lower.

[SunDude]

There's a beautiful 1986 Autokraft MkIV coming up at RM Auctions' Dingman Collection sale, June 9-10, in the Boston area.  VIN number SA9AK3028GA017164.
   
   http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=DM12&CarID=r147&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_content=email&utm_campaign=A%20labor%20of%20love&utm_term=FeatureCars.cfm#

[shep]

And if you were to have invested your savings, propping up the High Street Banks, with a return of 0.5% how much fun would you have had? Not a lot! I vote for driving a Classic Car, and the smile it brings. Shame about those poor Bank Managers losing their bonus'.

[302EFI]

Messrs. Nostalgia of Hertforth Heath/Herts. offer a 1993 MkIV (AKL1434) for 150,000 GBP. Although the car seems to be a 'true' lightweight and looks great on the pictures this is clearly a steep price as compared to what was asked for similar cars in the past. I have been told that one reason for the price increases is a significantly growing demand from people in Russia and China. Another reason may be the desire of people to protect their savings from inflation, besides the low interest one gets if he carries his money to a bank, as Andy pointed out.
   Jürgen

[REV]

Currently being in the process of restoring a car I have to say that for a MKIV in pristine condition the figures quoted by Nostalgia are not outrageous. To get a car to that condition is VERY costly!
   
   I would also suspect that China and Russia will have a huge effect in the future. I was recently in the Far East and happened across an Antique Fair in a large Hotel. The prices being asked for British and French furniture were staggering. They are certainly grasping the Western lifestyle with both hands, and I suspect classic cars will be something that will be in high demand. The shinier and louder the better!

[302EFI]

I did not mean to say that the price quoted by Nostalgia is outrageous. I am sorry if my statement can be interpreted that way.
   Jürgen

[dart427]

There are many Cobras offered by dealer for many months. Where are the customers??
   It is a big difference between the asking price and the real value! It seems that high asking prices are driven by dealers ignoring the real value.
   
   Dart 427

[marklotus]

I had my car AK1121, an excellent example, listed on Ebay at $89,000 and it didn't sell.

[REV]

Sometimes with high value goods it takes time to find a buyer. That doesn't mean an article is overpriced, it just means that a buyer isn't there for it at that moment.
   
   I have owned and sold several high value and sort after cars in my time and never have they sold straight away. They have all taken time, but eventually made reasonable money. I would suggest that if you want your money ASAP in any market be prepared to take a lowly price, but in the current market it'll take even longer or be even less.

[cobham cobra]

I certainly haven't regretted my wedding present #61514; much better than another toaster or coffee maker.

[TLegate]

But you've got to admit it makes a lousy cup of coffee....

[Chafford]

quote:Originally posted by marklotus
   
I had my car AK1121, an excellent example, listed on Ebay at $89,000 and it didn't sell.
   

   
   Mk IVs are notably underrated and undervalued in the US - probably due to the lack of a Shelby connection.

[marklotus]

I think the problem in the US is the many Shelby Cobra replicas and kit cars.  The AC AutoKraft cars find it hard to differentiate themselves from the herd.  I think in Europe they are perceived as legitimate cars in their own right, due to their handmade aluminum construction and the long history of AC Cars.

[MkIV Lux]

some cars currently offered for sale in Germany :
   - Shelby Cobra CSX4943 427 S/C:  138 K€ (115 K£)
   - AC Cobra MkIV 460 & Tremec: 109 K€ (90.8 K£)
   - AC Cobra MkIV 302 upgraded: 119.5 K€ (99.6 K£)
   & France
   - Shelby Cobra CSX4988 427 S/C:  139 K€ (115.8 K£)
   - Shelby Cobra CSX6026 427 S/C:  144.9 K€ (120.75 K£)
   - Shelby Cobra CSX7036 289 FIA:  109 k€ (90.8 k£)
   - Shelby Cobra CSX7... 289 FIA:  119.5 k€ (99.6 K£)
   All prices inclusive of local VAT (19% in Germany, 21 % in France).
   
   With prices for Kirkham and Superformance Cobras in excess of 100 K€, MkIV Cobras are comparably underpriced.
   
   Point is also that a lot of buyers go for the more powerful and sexyer replicas, often ignoring about the existence and pedigree of ACs. And sellers of replicas permanently advertise their cars for what they are not! Just seen an ad of a 289 FIA Kirkham with coil spring suspension!

[dart427]

- AC Cobra MKIV 460 & Tremec: 109 K€ , offered since a few Days..... We will see!
   
   -AC Cobra MKIV 302 upgraded: 119.5K€, offered since 4 Years!!!!!!! Price a few weeks ago by 10K€ reduced.
   
   Prices for MKIV are not underpriced. Prices for Plastic Kit Cars are extremely overpriced!
   
   The value of a Car is exactly what a buyer is prepared to pay for it.