Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Perana Z-One resurfaces with AC badge as 378 GT Zagato]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/perana-z-one-resurfaces-with-ac-badge-as-378-gt-zagato/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/perana-z-one-resurfaces-with-ac-badge-as-378-gt-zagato/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/perana-z-one-resurfaces-with-ac-badge-as-378-gt-zagato/#commentsFiled under: , ,

AC 378 GT Zagato

We haven't heard much about Perana in quite some time, but not nearly as long as it's been since the name AC last came up on our radar screen. The progenitor of the iconic Shelby Cobra, AC Cars is one of those great many British sportscar manufacturers that has long since disappeared into obscurity. There has been talk here and there of reviving the marque with a new model, but none of that seems to have materialized. Until now. Sort of.

Perana, as you may recall, is (or was) the name of an upstart automaker producing a devastatingly beautiful sportscar called the Z-One penned by no less accomplished a design house than Zagato. Now, the design (or, at least, what appears to be the same design) has resurfaced under the AC badge.

Called the 378 GT Zagato, the AC-ified Z-One is apparently being produced on the same line in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where the Perana was, and where, incidentally, some Noble models are, as well. The numeric nameplate is taken from the cubic-inch displacement of the 6.2-liter V8 engine.

It's certainly not the first time Zagato has designed for an established British marque, the production version of the V12 Zagato it designed for Aston Martin having been unveiled as this one was being announced at the other end of the Geneva Palexpo. AC and Zagato also collaborated on a one-off Bristol variant back in 1957, a model that is scheduled to be showcased alongside the new 378 GT at Pebble Beach later this year where AC will be the featured marque two years after the Z-One made its U.S. debut on the very same manicured lawns.

That's not where the collaboration is expected to end, however, as a roadster based on the same platform but featuring more Cobra-like bodywork is next in the pipeline. We're not sure where that leaves Perana, but we'll be watching to see where this goes. In the meantime you can see the full press release and spec sheet below, with high-res images (including some deliciously retro color schemes) in the gallery above.

Continue reading Perana Z-One resurfaces with AC badge as 378 GT Zagato

Perana Z-One resurfaces with AC badge as 378 GT Zagato originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>378378 gtacac 378 gtac 378 gt zagatoac carsperanaperana z-onez-onezagatoWed, 14 Mar 2012 16:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20191930/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/14/perana-z-one-resurfaces-with-ac-badge-as-378-gt-zagato/20191930/article-detail.xml 20191930 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/webac378gtc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/webac378gtc.jpg <![CDATA[Old is New Again: AC Cars unveils Cobra MkVI gullwing in Monaco]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/13/old-is-new-again-ac-cars-unveils-cobra-mkvi-in-monaco/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/13/old-is-new-again-ac-cars-unveils-cobra-mkvi-in-monaco/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/13/old-is-new-again-ac-cars-unveils-cobra-mkvi-in-monaco/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


AC Cobra MkVI - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chevrolet Corvette engine? Porsche brakes? Assembled in Germany? This doesn't sound like the AC Cobra we know, but lo and behold, it is what it is. Amidst the myriad Cobra replicars on the market, the original AC Cars, which touts itself as the UK's oldest automaker, has released details on the latest version of its classic sportscar. The updated retro-minded sports car is slated to make its official debut later this month at the prestigious Top Marques show in Monaco.

An assembly contract with German manufacturer Gullwing GmbH has the latest Cobra assembled in Heyda, Germany, and fitted with a lightweight removable hardtop complete with - you guessed it - gullwing doors. The aluminum body over tubular space-frame chassis weighs just 2,260 lbs and is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 sourced from the Corvette, tuned to produce 437 hp in standard GT trim or a whopping 647 hp in GTS spec, which we'll surmise comes courtesy of a supercharger. Stopping power is provided by Porsche-sourced four-piston calipers and vented discs (332mm front, 298mm rear). Acceleration? Try 0-62 in a scant 3.3 seconds. Now that sounds more like the Cobra we know. Find out more in the press release after the jump and check out the images in the gallery below.


Gallery: AC Cobra MkVI


[Source: AC Cars]

Continue reading Old is New Again: AC Cars unveils Cobra MkVI gullwing in Monaco

Old is New Again: AC Cars unveils Cobra MkVI gullwing in Monaco originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>289 Cobra289Cobra427 Cobra427Cobraacac carsac cobraAcCarsAcCobraCarroll ShelbyCarrollShelbycobragull winggull-winggullwinggullwing gmbhGullwingGmbhmonacoShelby CobraShelbyCobraMon, 13 Apr 2009 15:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1515370/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/13/old-is-new-again-ac-cars-unveils-cobra-mkvi-in-monaco/1515370/article-detail.xml 1515370 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/0-cobra6_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/0-cobra6_opt.jpg <![CDATA[AC Cars moving to Brooklands and Michigan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/ac-cars-moving-to-brooklands-and-michigan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/ac-cars-moving-to-brooklands-and-michigan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/ac-cars-moving-to-brooklands-and-michigan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

AC Cars, creators of the original Cobra on which Carroll Shelby built his legendary roadster, is planning two important moves. The sportscar-maker, owned by Acedes Holdings LLC, is currently based in Malta. However, legal troubles in the country have prompted the company to return to its original headquarters at the famous Brooklands facility in England. A second factory in Michigan where AC will build its classic sportscars for U.S. consumption is also in the works.

AC continues to manufacture the original Ace, Mk11, Mk11 FIA and Mk111, and is anticipated to build just ten units per year at an average price of £150,000 a pop. No word, however, on the new roadster, the rights to which Project Kimber acquired to resurrect AC after Smart cancelled the vehicle.

[Source: 4car]

AC Cars moving to Brooklands and Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acac aceac brooklandsac carsac maltaac michiganac mk11AcAceAcBrooklandsAcCarsAcMaltaAcMichiganAcMk11Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1177096/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/04/25/ac-cars-moving-to-brooklands-and-michigan/1177096/article-detail.xml 1177096 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/acmkv_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/acmkv.jpg <![CDATA[AC Cars signs deal for U.S. distribution of "real" Cobras]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/01/ac-cars-signs-deal-for-u-s-distribution-of-real-cobras/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/01/ac-cars-signs-deal-for-u-s-distribution-of-real-cobras/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/01/ac-cars-signs-deal-for-u-s-distribution-of-real-cobras/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



AC Cars Ltd. and Texas-based Unique Performance, Inc. have announced an exclusive distribution deal that will bring AC's MkV roadster to the U.S. market. The carbon fiber bodied roadster is produced in the U.K. by AC, Britain's oldest automotive manufacturer, and the company that built the AC Ace, which Carroll Shelby transformed into the legendary AC Cobra.

Unique Performance is already well-established as a builder of limited-edition performance cars, notably a line of Chip Foose-designed Ford Mustangs. The company is already building a demo version of the AC MarkV, powered by a Ford 4.6-liter crate engine.

Faithful readers will recall that late last year, we reported on AC Cars' plan to open a production factory in Bridgeport, Connecticut. No word on the impact of this latest announcement on AC's U.S. production plans, but we have to assume that they've been shelved for the time being.

It will be interesting to see if an authentic AC roadster will cut into the sales of the multitude of Cobra knockoffs already rumbling through the U.S. market. No word on pricing, but Unique is apparently already taking orders.

Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Unique Performance]

Continue reading AC Cars signs deal for U.S. distribution of "real" Cobras

AC Cars signs deal for U.S. distribution of "real" Cobras originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Apr 2006 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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