2003 AC Shelby Cobra

Slotting a Ford V8 engine into the chassis of an AC Ace proved to be a brilliant idea for Carroll Shelby. The thundering Cobra, rooted in the impressive racing career and boundless grit of its creator, singlehandedly launched Ford Motor Company’s corporate racing program onto the international stage and marked a crucial step in its eventual dominance over arch-rival Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1960s.

Under Shelby’s leadership, and with the help of a dream team of racing luminaries that included Ken Miles, Phil Remington, Pete Brock, and many others, Ford-powered Cobras won virtually anywhere and everywhere they raced. Brutally fast and dead-reliable, the Cobra clinched the US Manufacturer’s Championship three years running—in 1963, 1964, and 1965— and with sleek Pete Brock-designed Daytona Coupe bodywork, Shelby American Inc. won the hotly contested 1965 FIA World Manufacturer’s Championship.

Available here we have an AC Shelby Cobra built in Queensland in 2003 by renowned Cobra specialist Warick Harrison. This superb tribute to the AC Shelby Cobra has travelled just 15,000 kilometres since new.It has a demountable soft top included along with chrome overriders and passenger roll bar. The vehicle has been fully NSW engineered and road registered and ready to be enjoyed.

Just two private owners since new, CTS sold the vehicle to its current owner 10 years ago, since then it has been meticulously kept and cared for and sparingly used.

Based on a bespoke chassis, Harrison built his cars with a highly worked 302 Windsor motor coupled with a 5-Speed Tremec T5 Gearbox and uses a Nissan GTR rear end and a 3.50 ratio differential. It produces over 400 horsepower making it an absolute thrill to drive.

Firing the 5.0 Litre V8 motor to life, you are greeted with a sharp and loud growl from the side exit exhaust pipes. The gearbox is smooth, mechanical and the power delivery coupled with the noise this Cobra makes is just downright exhilarating - respecting this untamed beast is non negotiable.

On the other hand, popping it into a higher gear and driving around town is fun, comfortable and the easiest way to achieve an ear-to-ear grin.

Whether it be something new to take to the track or blast on the weekends to your local cars and coffee meet, this AC Shelby Cobra will do it all. With the genuine article costing somewhere between $4,000,000 – 6,000,000 US, this example makes so much sense. Contact our team for more information.