Story and History

1967 AC 289 / 427 Sports - Chassis COB 6116

A European coil spring Cobra with engine uprated to 427 side oiler specification in 1976 together with top loader gearbox

The Shelby American World Registry shows that COB 6116 was built new to RHD specifications, and supplied in Pacific Green with Black hide interior

She was sold to her first owner, David Skailles through dealers HWM of Walton-on-Thames in January 1967

In 1976, whilst in the possession of Brian Bolton 6116 was sent to marque expert Brain Angliss, who was to take over AC Cars with his Autokraft Co, and Angliss converted her from 289 to full 427 specification

In this new guise she appeared in Rod Grainger's Cobra - Super Profile on page number 55

Rod Leache's Nostalgia, specialists in the sale of AC Cobra since the 1970's, sold COB6116 in 1985, and this latest owner kept her in the UK before moving her to South Africa in the mid 1990's

He commissioned Hi-Tech Autos of Port Elizabeth to recommission her, without consideration to expense

In 2002 this owner, considered it time to sell 6116 and so returned her to the UK where she was sold to the last owner through Christies Auction House, London

Prior to his purchase he had AC Autokraft, who carried out the conversion to 427 specification in 1976, undertake a thorough inspection and authenticate the vehicle

After purchase he had AC complete all works recommended before taking her to her new home in Vienna, Austria

Once in Vienna and registered locally a Halda trip meter was installed and she was ready for the intended use after purchase - organised rally's and trips within central Europe

During this 10 years over 15.000 miles have been travelled

Rally's participated in include:-

� Gaisberg Mountain Race (Salzburg)

� Silvretta Classic

� Ennstal Classic (twice)

� Bavarian Classic

� Kitzb�hel Classic

� 1000 Minutes Rally

� Bad Ischl Trophy

� Loser Bergpreis (Aussee / Austria, 4 times, once as official lead car for approval of road condition before start of each participant run)

� Millstadt Reunion of European Cobra Drivers

Besides that the car was used for weekend and holiday trips in Austria, Italy and Germany

During this time and usage COB6116 has run faultlessly and never missed a beat, nor has participation in any event had to be terminated

General maintenance has been carried out by specialists locally during this time, usually in the Winter months when she was in storage

Upgrades carried out during this tenure:-

� Changeover of the ignition system to electronic

� Installation of enlarged cooling radiator and electric cooling fan setup

� Replacement of clutch and clutch hydraulic cylinder

� New cylinder head gaskets

� New sump

� Changeover of exhaust system to a modified termination just in front of the rear wheels, giving better mid and top range performance

� New brake servos

Presented in excellent mechanical shape this Cobra absolutely flies (4 twin choke Webers and 425bhp may have something to do with this........) and it is clear that she has been prepared for usage and not display, as can been seen from the above

Only 27 of these, the last of the original series Cobra's, were made in Thames Ditton and number 16 must be one of the best