Changing the dash on my 87 Autokraft MkIV Cobra
 

G'Day All

I am the proud new owner of a 1987 Autokraft Cobra MkIV (AK1201) and one of the things I am planning to do is to change the dash setup. It has actually already have a makeover to look more like the AC 289 MkIII configuration however they used the old Autokraft dash as a donor and although it generally 'looks the part', dimensionally, it is all wrong and I feel a car of this magnitude should have such an update done correctly with attention to detail (see pic)

So I am looking to replace it with a 'correct' 66/67 AC 289 MkIII dash template and wonder if there is anyone who makes the aluminium templates for the Autokraft car. I already have the gauges etc so really only need the aluminium panel although a complete dash with correct gauges and switches would be very much of interest.

Failing availability of that I would also consider a Shelby MkIII Roadster dash instead of which I have seen a few conversions already on the net, including original factory upgrades.

Additionally could you tell me what 'indicator light switch' is normally used on the AC 289 MkIII? It is something else that will need replacing

Thanks in advance for your thoughts


Best Regs from Oz

Great car

My $0.02, make it a MKIII dash as you may be better served to find an accurate one.
Keep in mind you may be best served to get a MKIII stencil and have it made in OZ as shipping will be a killer and the RHD may be limiting.

Maybe try Hawk Cars?

COB6036

That's a very good idea. An accurate stencil could be just the trick!

Now its a matter of finding one %/:)

I think an a American left hand stenciled reversed would work. Remember, just like my new MKII will never be a Shelby AC Cobra, yours will never be a AC289. so have some fun, put in a backwards antilock wise speedo! Incidentally, how do you like your MKIV? I may be rally jealous if my replica MKII dose not pan out! Cheers, Dennis

CobraAddict - a stencil is a good idea, as you can then make your own dash if you're able to, or have one made from the stencil.
A (very generous) US forum member sent me a stencil in the form of A4 sheets of his own (LHD) dash panel which I then converted to 'right hand drive' and made my own dash panel.
I didn't do the welding on the lower edge, but I did everything else, including the glovebox 'lid'.
There are pictures on my build thread if that approach appeals to you.

Cheers!
Glen

G'Day Dennis

I absolutely love it. I was always looking for as much authenticity as possible as I wanted the look and feel of an original car and I think the MkIV delivers this perfectly.

Its a fully factory built Hand laid aluminium bodied car, built by AC and Ford (Ford was even selling them in Ford distributorships) and as a 1987 built car I can register it with its original tubular MkIII ladder chassis, without headrests or roll bars, no EFI just its original Carbi based 302 and all the other stuff that would otherwise be impossible to register here in Australia as post 1989 built cars need to comply with full modern car engineering standards and emissions controls.

The other thing I love about it is its pedigree. Its rare, only 400 odd made and that's it no more. IMHO it has the most original Cobra DNA in it of any post Shelby Cobra and to my mind represents a genuine 'continuation car' as compared to the plethora of CSX models we see being pumped out.

As an investment I think I stand a much greater chance of it maintaining its value if not increasing over time which is not the case for the fast majority of other Cobra's out there.

All in all it may not be as fast or flashy as flame throwing 427 monster (I nearly bought a Superformance 427 MkIII) but for me it tick 90% of all the boxes and I could not be happier.

G'Day Glen

That sounds very interesting indeed and could be a great way to go. Could you PM me a link to you build thread. I would love to have a look at it.

Best Regs from Oz
Andrew

Sure, Andrew. See link at the bottom of this post.
Other detail about the dash panel (including the leather covering and the glovebox) is there in later pages.

Cheers!
Glen

As I have mentioned, so many guys in the UK have told me, their favorite Cobra was the AC289, and the MKIV has got to be better handling, if for nothing more then the better suspension bushings! Here's to many happy miles! Cheers, Dennis

Thanks Glen

What a lovely car. Some amazing work done there. Was a great read :)

I noticed on your dash the two main clocks are level. I have seen this on one other COB but of all others I have seen, the main dials are 'offset' (see below) which I tend to prefer.

Why did you choose to have them level?


Best Regs from Oz
Andrew

You might want to contact Redline Engineering in the UK. Google to get their website. They specialize in Cobras and particularly the Mk. IV. They have done conversions to flat dash but not sure if they have done so on U.S. LHD cars or not. Also, Alan Faulkner Stevens in the UK owns Dragon Wheels Restorations. He used to be the Mk. IV Registrar for the ACOC. He does beautiful restorations. He may also be a good resource. Also, AC Heritage (Steve Gray) in the U.K. does spectacular work. They also go by Brooklands Motor Company. Another good resource. You can probably find all of them via a Google search. I would love to know how it all goes. I've owned my AC Mk. IV (AK 1216) for 14 years and have also thought about a flat dash conversion so would be interested in what you find out!

Still doing my homework but one issue I have is the tyranny of distance. Although my car is a US LHD it has undergone a professional RHD conversion so that should not be an issue. Getting a dash made and sent to me here in Melb, Oz is proving to be a very expensive option. Possible alternatives would be just the aluminium dash with whole cut or maybe even just a template. Neither option proving easy to get.
I'll let you know how I go in the new year but definitely high on my list.
Still tossing over which dash to go for, the more common Mk III or perhaps the AC 289 Roadster dash of the original 60's AC Cobra Roadsters. At this stage leaning toward the Mk III dash I guess. Seems far more common and hence easier to get.

So far I have communicated with both Neil Fisher at Redline, Alan at Dragon Wheels Restorations and Cheng at Thunder Road Cars and all seem helpful to differing degree's. I will pursue this further in the new year.