AC COBRA 289. First look

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What happens when you are bored on a coffee break?
I don’t know about you, but I bought myself a AC Cobra 289 project. 

Impulse level: 102%
Amount of work: Everything needs fixing.
Expensive to build: Ohh yes!

Well let’s get right in to it. I am right now the proud owner of a AC Cobra 289 Replica, this is one of very few all steel body cobras out on the roads in the world. I got it fairly cheap but it will require a ton of work to get it up and running. 

So why buy a ready for the wrecker AC Cobra?

Easy, it is a AC Cobra and who doesn’t want a fast and cool Cobra. I have for a long time planned to build myself a car from scratch. The thing was that everything for sale was either too expensive och too rusty. When I heard about an all steel body AC Cobra project for sale, I just had to have a closer look at it.

At first glance it seems like insanity to buy something that would require so much work. On the other hand, a finished one with show car quality has good second-hand value. This Cobra was a clean piece of paper and it will give me the ability to build it my way. Now I can build a good handling pro-touring AC Cobra 289 with an engine, drivetrain and chassis that suited my taste.

If you are a purist that loves a period correct Cobra with all the right parts, then this project is not for you. I am a hot-rodder and I will use the parts that will suit my needs and modern-day supercar performance. It will be one of a kind build and that is what I want.

If you on the other hand appreciates an awesome build, then stick around.

What will remain?

The only thing I intend to keep is most of the body. The rest will be thrown in the trash. I say “most of the body” because I have some secret body work planned.

Why?

Because a front and rear suspension out of a Volvo from the 60’s will not do it for me. The chassis is based on some old hot-rod style tube chassis. Will it do for cruising, absolutely, but on the track or 200+ KPH it will not. At least not for me. Don’t forget that I love to build too.

This is the current/future spec. From time to time it will change.

Body:

• All steel with custom widebody.
• Needs to be straightened out. My sheet-metal guy will hate me for giving him this.

Engine/Drivetrain:

• Gm 5.3L LM7 steel block.
• Hps supercharger with intercooler.
• 5 speed manual or automatic with flappy paddles.

Chassis:

• Tube frame of course.
• Individual front and rear suspension.
• Big brakes.

So I have a lot of work ahead of me. That is why this project is on ice for now, gathering money and the right tools and a garage to suit such a build needs to be addressed first.

I have named this Project: KingCobra.

Keep an eye open for that name here. When you see it, there is an update available.

Enjoy some pictures of the madness.