AC Cobra 427 S/C (COX 6136)

[shep]

The point I was trying to make about values, was that the AC Factory was building 2 cars, a stock Mk IV and a "Continuation 427 S/C", next to each other in the same workshop, with the same craftsmen (Peter?). using basically the same materials for chassis suspension and bodywork. Yes I agree there would be a premium for the 427 motor, but I struggle to understand why the latter is now treated as some sort of Super Classic, which deserves a price comparable to a Thames Ditton Cobra. Where there is a market, the value of everything is what the market is prepared to pay, so let's see what happens. Aston Martin did a similar exercise with "Continuation" DB4 Zagatos about 15 years ago, which sold for hundreds of thousands to speculators. I can't remember any coming up for sale recently, but would be interested whether they proved to be a good investment.

[MkIV Lux]

Question: are chassis and suspension of Continuation Cobras to original (1965) specification or are they using components developed for the Mk IV (Light Weight)?

[MkIV Lux]

Andy, you seem to have responded to my question already (I did not see your post of 09:39:42 when writing mine): "using basically the same materials for chassis suspension and bodywork" as for the Mk IV LW, if I understand well

[Flyinghorse]

The AC press release of 17th Oct 2000 states (re 427)
   "available to special order at a special price-£150,000 this reflects the thousands of man hours required to hand craft the aluminium bodywork using wooden jigs in use by AC since 1962 and the considerable effort needed to source some of the components"
   
   It also states "when we included the AC Cobra 427 in the model line up we thought we would sell one very occasionally. In fact this year so far we have sold 3 and expect further commissions soon"
   
   The only offerings  at this time (2000) would be just the CRS,the 212,but the line in the lucrative  alloy 427 continued on from the Mkiv days?

[Chafford]

quote:Originally posted by shep
   
The point I was trying to make about values, was that the AC Factory was building 2 cars, a stock Mk IV and a "Continuation 427 S/C", next to each other in the same workshop, with the same craftsmen (Peter?). using basically the same materials for chassis suspension and bodywork. Yes I agree there would be a premium for the 427 motor, but I struggle to understand why the latter is now treated as some sort of Super Classic, which deserves a price comparable to a Thames Ditton Cobra. Where there is a market, the value of everything is what the market is prepared to pay, so let's see what happens. Aston Martin did a similar exercise with "Continuation" DB4 Zagatos about 15 years ago, which sold for hundreds of thousands to speculators. I can't remember any coming up for sale recently, but would be interested whether they proved to be a good investment.
   

   
   Recent original Shelby Cobra 427 auction sales (at current exchange rates):  CSX 3127 £700,600, CSX 3228 £560,500  CSX 3249 (a low) £380,200; the latter was sold in Europe and had its original 427 replaced by a 289 in the '70s. The car now has a (non-original) 427 unit.
   
   CSX1001 a continuation 427 Cobra built by AC for Shelby American in 2005, fetched £213,694 at auction. However it's worth pointing out that this car was Carroll Shelby's personal car, so that may have inflated the price.
   
   Rod Leach's COB 5002 427 continuation built in 1998 has been on the market for some time - no price given but a recent 'Octane' article suggests a price for these cars from £250,000 - £300,000. COX 5012 which has a AC built body and chassis (in 2002) and was completed elsewhere is also still on the market. The dealer 'Private Collections' wants £225,000 for this car.
   
   The 'buzz' words for all these cars in adverts are 'FIA' 'Historic' '1960s parts' 'AC Cars Certification' 'investment' 'good value for money compared to an original'
   
   However COX 3361, another 427 'continuation'completed after AC closed its UK operations, only received a bid of £100,000 at auction last year, less than half its reserve price.

[ANF289]

quote:Originally posted by Chafford
   

Originally posted by shep
   
Recent original Shelby Cobra 427 auction sales (at current exchange rates):  CSX 3127 £700,600, CSX 3228 £560,500  CSX 3249 (a low) £380,200; the latter was sold in Europe and had its original 427 replaced by a 289 in the '70s. The car now has a (non-original) 427 unit.
   
   CSX1001 a continuation 427 Cobra built by AC for Shelby American in 2005, fetched £213,694 at auction. However it's worth pointing out that this car was Carroll Shelby's personal car, so that may have inflated the price.
   
   Rod Leach's COB 5002 427 continuation built in 1998 has been on the market for some time - no price given but a recent 'Octane' article suggests a price for these cars from £250,000 - £300,000. COX 5012 which has a AC built body and chassis (in 2002) and was completed elsewhere is also still on the market. The dealer 'Private Collections' wants £225,000 for this car.
   
   The 'buzz' words for all these cars in adverts are 'FIA' 'Historic' '1960s parts' 'AC Cars Certification' 'investment' 'good value for money compared to an original'
   
   However COX 3361, another 427 'continuation'completed after AC closed its UK operations, only received a bid of £100,000 at auction last year, less than half its reserve price.
   
   

That pedestrian dark horse (I should say snake) known as the Mk IV is looking awfully good, and what a deal for those in the know.

[cobham cobra]

pedestrian[:0]

[SB7019]

John.  It all depends on who is sitting in the left hand seat[:D][:D]

[SB7019]

Andy.
   
   Costs to AC around the turn of the century would have been greater for building a 427 than a Superblower but not, I would of thought, by a factor that reflected the asking prices.  The motor and gearbox would be the major difference.   With the exception of the supercharger, the 302 units were essentially free as they had been lying in a pile in the factory since 1993. The fabrication of various alloy ( rather than fiberglass) components such as boot ( trunk ) interiors inner wings etc. would also have to be factored in.   I would presume that these items ( plus "period" brakes etc) would not add up to an almost doubling of the price.
   
   As always it will be interesting to see what the various offering actually sell for ( if indeed they do and if this is then publicly known).   I think there are also still 2 Superblowers for sale at the upper end of the 100K range in pounds and euros respectively - but they seem to have been on the market for a long time[:(]   I am still hoping they make these prices in order to generate spousal approval of my "investment".

[Chafford]

quote:Originally posted by Flyinghorse
   
The AC press release of 17th Oct 2000 states (re 427)
   "available to special order at a special price-£150,000 this reflects the thousands of man hours required to hand craft the aluminium bodywork using wooden jigs in use by AC since 1962 and the considerable effort needed to source some of the components"
   
   It also states "when we included the AC Cobra 427 in the model line up we thought we would sell one very occasionally. In fact this year so far we have sold 3 and expect further commissions soon"
   
   The only offerings  at this time (2000) would be just the CRS,the 212,but the line in the lucrative  alloy 427 continued on from the Mkiv days?
   
   

   
   In 2000, the aluminium cars were the Superblower and the 427 Mk111. AC had the right to use the 'Cobra' title and moniker until June 2002, having been given notice by Ford to stop using it a year previously.

[jrlucke]

Regarding the Aston DB4 Zagatos, one of the 1991 Sanction II cars just sold at Bonhams Aston Martin sale for 1.2m. probably reflective of the exclusivity of the cars.
   
   John

[Mark IV]

COB1001 (289 FIA with polished bodywork) was built prior to May 1999 and was complete when I visited the Brooklands works. The car was shipped to me in June of 1999 and I displayed it at the Shelby American Automobile Club convention in Michigan that July.
   
   It was returned to AC late in 1999.

[SB7019]

The FIA I saw at Brooklands in 2001 was close to complete and painted light  blue.  Could this have been 1001 being refettled after being painted or did 2610 have a very long gestation period?

[Mark IV]

I understand 1001 was painted Viking Blue and is the car that then came back to the USA with the abortive AC dstributor in Florida.

[TLegate]

Last I heard, 2610 was alive and well and living in Florida. Just like me (not)