AC Cobra returns to kill replicas in the U.S.
British sports car manufacturer AC has signed a new a distribution deal to sell an updated version of the iconic AC Cobra called the Mk V in the U.S. A new factory located on the Mediterranean island of Malta will begin production of the Mk V soon that features an all carbon fiber skin on a traditional ladder-frame chassis, racing brakes and 16-inch alloys. Unique Performance based in Texas will handle sales of the car in this country, all of which arrive less the engine and transaxle just like the Noble. AC's chairman Alan Lubinsky is quoted over at Inside Line saying, " Why would anyone buy a replica when they can own an authentic AC roadster that is lighter and better for the same cost?" Official U.S. prices have not been released, but in Britain the Mark V goes for about $94,000 US.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fred douglass 10:19PM (2/22/2008)
I own a Ron Butler built cobra "replica" and it is well noted on this side of the Briney that so-called "kit cars"----if they're of the caliber of an Arntz-Butler, ERA or a Unique replica (to name a few)----are quite as good, if not better than the originals.
Although mine only has a 351 Cleveland Ford in it---it does have Aussie "3v" heads and will probably get 400+hp to the rear wheels. The frame is monstrously overbuilt and weighs c. 400 lbs. The running gear IS Pommy, but I may change that, too.
I can assure the Pommies, that although you boast that Cobras are "your cars"----they sure as hell are NOT---they have American hearts and although they were BASED on the antedeluvian AC---they've come a long way since!. The Butlers, with massive everything, will more than likely give any Autokraft or other replicas a good run for their money.
I've driven several Butlers with massive 427 ci mills in them and they will, in my humble view, blow the Pommie crates into the weeds----straight or twisty roads!
Ta-ta,
Freddie
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G 2:07PM (5/17/2006)
At $94,000, not replicas are going to be 'killed' I don't think this will be much better than Superperformance or factory Five's offerings, and it will cost a hell of a lot more.
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dur 2:14PM (5/17/2006)
I'm assuming that cost is gonna fall at least to half because I'd like to think there's only a few FFR's out there that run ~50K....
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felonious monk 2:42PM (5/17/2006)
" Why would anyone buy a replica when they can own an authentic AC roadster that is lighter and better for the same cost?" Official U.S. prices have not been released, but in Britain the Mark V goes for about $94,000 US."
Why? Because you can get a well sorted pre-owned replica for $30k. At $94k, it is well out of reach of a good deal of enthusiasts who can only drool at the idea of owning one. Even for someone who can afford one, at that price, it's hard to justify spending that much for a car that doesn't offer the creature comforts and convenience of other performance cars in that price point.
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mike 2:57PM (5/17/2006)
Maybe because firms like Kirkham have already built a better Cobra?
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Noah 3:06PM (5/17/2006)
Because you can build a VERY nice tube frame replica for a heck of a lot less than $94,000 US. I'd rather tube frame than a ladder.
see http://www.Factoryfive.com/ for a really good example of a great looking replica that's blistering fast.
--Noah
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Walt 3:10PM (5/17/2006)
You can get a new Carrol Shelby Cobra for less and his new design for about $94,000
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Proud Japanese 3:16PM (5/17/2006)
Of course you guys are missing the fact that prices in UK hardly reflect the prices in the U.S. How stupid can you get.
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Jellodyne 3:20PM (5/17/2006)
You want to go on the cheap you can build out a Factory Five replica with a donor mustang for about a fifth of that.
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Paulo Becker 3:56PM (5/17/2006)
Is it just me who finds the expression "creature comfort" really funny?
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Corey W. 4:02PM (5/17/2006)
Uh, well there is a "US" after the price, so it's safe to assume that's estimated US dollars.
But like it's been said previously, this is not going to kill the replica market. Actaully in a year or two AC is going to get a wake up call....
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Proud Japanese 4:21PM (5/17/2006)
No. It's the the price the Brits pay for the car. The cars sold in US are about $1 to 1, so you can expect it to sell for around $45,000 in the U.S.
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Ford Mustang 6:00PM (5/17/2006)
Depending on what you want the car to be you could build a Factory Five Cobra Replica for $20-25K. I doubt the kit cars will be killed because of the debut of this car. There's something special about having the car delivered to your house in boxes, and then putting it together with your own hands that will keep the replica builders in business for years to come.
BTW can anyone tell me what this car weighs? Because in the article above it states "Why would anyone buy a replica when they can own an authentic AC roadster that is lighter and better for the same cost?" Well i'd love to see how light this AC Cobra supposedly is because i believe Factory Five claims their cobra is 2100lbs.
Also what motor will be offered in this car? The beauty of the Replica Cobra is the options you have when it comes to the motor. With FFR you can use a standard fox body 5.0L Mustang engine or one of the various overhead cam models.
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charlie 7:10PM (5/17/2006)
"11. No. It's the the price the Brits pay for the car. The cars sold in US are about $1 to 1, so you can expect it to sell for around $45,000 in the U.S."
probably not quite 1 to 1. I just read that the new Corvette Z06 is selling in the UK for 60k pounds, and it sells here for about $66k. with that ratio the cobra should sell for around $50k here.
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Daskoff 8:29AM (5/21/2006)
I believe the exchange rate is more like 1 sterling to 2 dollars. You can't compare the prices in UK to the prices in the states because in the UK you must pay a bunch of taxes and other fees alongside the MSRP of the car. In addition, alot of the cars going from the US (or any other lefthand drive country) must spend alot to convert the small number of cars exported to right hand drive. That's a whole lot of bannanas.
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mark-anthony conti 6:00AM (6/16/2006)
Lubinsky's prices seem a little high to me. My own AC Cobra Mark IV (Carbon Fibre) with a Ford Motorsport 350 bhp motor in it would only fetch £30,000 in GB (about $52,500 todays rate).
You guys might want to think about buying a second hand Mark IV and shipping it. Easy conversion to cope with driving on the wrong side of the road and no taxes to add (except maybe your end). Sorry Daskoff but where UK taxes are concerned you don't know what you're talking about.
Oh yeah Felonius Monk, if you want creature comforts buy corvette. If you want a sports car buy something built outside America (ie with brakes and suspension and things like that).
MAC
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leslie saint 2:53PM (7/20/2006)
The Gardner Douglas is probably the best option in the uk.Race bred chassis,Amazing interior.LS2 engine it does,nt get anybetter
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