Interesting Facts About the AC Cobra
The AC Cobra burst onto the scene in the early 1960s when Carroll Shelby married a Ford V8 to the British AC Ace, creating an instant legend. Production ran from 1962 to 1968, with several engine upgrades and a very limited total output that fuels its collector appeal.
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First Appearance and Early Engines
The very first Shelby Cobra was introduced in 1962, initially powered by Ford's 260 cubic‑inch engine and later upgraded to the iconic 289 V8, marking the start of the model’s performance legacy.
Birth of the AC Cobra with a 4.2 L V8
On 20 June 1963, Shelby and AC Cars fitted a 4.2‑liter V8 into the AC Ace, officially birthing the AC Cobra, and began manufacturing roughly 1,000 cars.
Limited Production Numbers
From 1962 through 1968, only 998 Cobras were produced. Of those, 348 were the high‑performance 427 version, and just 260 of the 427s were built for street use.
Popular AC Cobra Parts
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