In the late 1960s, the fusion of Italian design and American V8 power had firmly taken root. This influence played a pivotal role in AC Cars’ decision to transform its high-performance Cobra sports car into a luxurious Grand Routier. The Cobra MkIII chassis, known for its coil suspension, was elongated by 6 inches in the wheelbase. The modified chassis was then sent to Italy, where it received a sophisticated steel exterior crafted by Pietro Frua, reminiscent of his work on the Maserati Mistral. The debut of the two-seater convertible occurred at the 1965 Earls Court Motor Show, followed by the introduction of an even more striking fastback-styled Coupe at the 1966 Geneva Salon.
Despite the 428ci (7-liter) Ford Galaxie engine, offering slightly less power than the Cobra 427, its 345bhp proved more than sufficient to meet customer performance expectations. Despite the car’s weight of 1,416kg and the prevalence of automatic transmission, this formidable engine showcased impressive capabilities. Road tests revealed sub-six-second 0-60mph times, 0-100mph in approximately 14.5 seconds, and a top speed exceeding 140mph.
However, the logistics of shipping the chassis to Turin and back after body installation proved time-consuming and costly, causing delays in deliveries. The inflated price, considerably surpassing that of the contemporary Aston Martin DB6, further impeded production. Between 1966 and 1973, a mere 80 units were manufactured—29 convertibles and 51 coupes. Despite some attrition and instances of cars being dismantled to create replica Cobras, experts estimate a remarkable survival rate, with approximately 65 examples still in existence today.
Source: Bonhams Cars
