One of the closest cars to the original AC Cobra that you can buy today is the magnificent 2011 AC MkVI. The car will be attending the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month celebrating 110th birthday.
The new AC is powered by a 430 bhp Corvette V8 engine that provides enough grunt to move that lightweight but well-German-built body around very very fast. While the shape of the car maintains all the good traditional stuff that made the AC Cobra such an icon, it is a modern muscle car underneath. Sam applies for the interior where you get a classic look but modern materials and features.
The car has dealers in UK, US and Germany and has a base price of €109,000 plus taxes, which frankly sounds like a bargain for something that looks so good and offers this much fun.
In Germany, AC Germany is now in production with the AC MkVI (see above). The company (also famed for its recreation of the Gullwing Mercedes coupe) has a high reputation for the skills of its Dresden-based workforce and has supplied a number of heritage cars over many years.
In the US, Iconic Motors has adopted the AC brand for its ultra-high performance car, the Iconic AC Roadster, which deliver exceptional thrills from its 6.8 litre Detroit V8 which delivers an incredible 825bhp and 680lb ft plus a top speed of 210mph and a 0-60mph time of less than three seconds.
From its beginnings 110 years ago AC has been synonymous with craftsman built, lightweight sports cars with a strong British pedigree. The company has had a chequered history ranging from victories on tracks from Le Mans to Palm Beach and from its creation by a family of London butchers to – for a time – the Ford Motor Company. Throughout, AC’s cars have been outstandingly attractive and – to prove the point – the company’s Geneva Show stand also features an original AC Ace, the model which became the famous AC Cobra.
The Chairman of AC Cars Limited, Alan Lubinsky, commented: “We’ve deliberately kept a low profile in recent months as we worked with the members of the AC family worldwide to breathe new life into our revered brand, and we will be announcing further exciting developments during 2011”, he said.
“The key to our future though is based on achievement, so when we announce a new model it will be available – as the AC Mk VI is today – ready for sale. For the first time in a decade we’re able to provide customers with genuine, high quality cars from a range of proven production sources”.
The AC stand is No 1035.
