The Shelby AC Cobra
The Shelby AC Cobra is a stylish American engined British sports car that is no longer in production. This article takes a look at the history of the Shelby AC Cobra, and it also provides some top tips on how to find Shelby AC Cobra car parts, and how to build a replica model at home.
History of the Shelby AC Cobra
The Shelby AC Cobra was first manufactured in an assembly plant in Thames Ditton, Surrey, in 1961. It was produced intermittently right up until 2004 when production ceased. Originally the car used Bristol Straight-6 engines. It wasn't until a Texan race car driver called Carroll Shelby had the idea to power the light sports car with a V8 engine that it really took off. The massive increase in power made it one of the most desirable racing cars at the time. The AC Cobra earned itself the reputation as a classic sports car that was not only sleekly designed, but it had great handling and power.
Super Snake Cobras
The Super Snake, also known as a Cobra 427 competition roadster, was a specialist type of modified Cobra which included mufflers, windshields, and twin paxton superchargers (TPS). There were only 23 of these models ever produced in the world.
Car Parts
As the cars and car parts are no longer in production, it can be extremely difficult to find what you need. You can try looking for parts from some specialist dealers, and sometimes they are available on online auction sites. There is also the option of buying replica parts from specialist dealers.
Replica Kits
Authentic Shelby SC Cobras are rare and can be extremely expensive to purchase. In 2007 a 1966 Shelby Cobra 437 Super Snake made history when it sold at auction for a cool $5.5 million. This particular model was owned by Carroll Shelby himself as a personal car, which he sometimes entered into local races.
A great way to own an authentic looking Shelby AC Cobra is to purchase a replica kit. Replica kits have been improved on over the years, so that they are rigorously tested, durable, and faithful replicas of the original car. Replica bodies are traditionally available in fibreglass, kevlar or aluminium. Each of the different materials use the same body shape, so it is hard to differentiate between them.
Where to Purchase Parts and Replica Kits
The best place to purchase replica parts and kits is from specialist retailers. You can find these retailers online, as they will have websites which will display the products that they offer, along with their contact details. To find these specialists, simply open up your favorite search engine, and type in 'Shelby AC cobra replicas', along with the area that you live in. Remember, replica kits can be quite hard to get hold of, so you may have to search for them further afield. Always use a reputable and trusted company to ensure that you are purchasing a high quality replica kit that has been tested for safety purposes.
