AC 289 (Not AC Cobra 289)

[MotorcityCobra]

Anyone have any pics of the engine compartment of the AC289 or know what they used as an induction system? This would be for the few cars sold in 1969 (I believe) by AC which had the 427 body and a 289 engine. Were these just base Hypo 289's with the single 4 barrel and chrome air cleaner & valve covers?

My understanding is that these cars had the skinny wire wheels, had the original 289 Cobra dash layout, and while most pics I've seen have been with no hood scoop or roll bar, I found a pic of one that had both (?). All I've seen have had undercar exhaust, and naturally the AC emblem instead of the Cobra.

Any additional info on these cars would be appreciated. Tried doing a search but all I've found so far was the usual Cobra 289 info.

Thanks for your time!

[LMH]

AC Cobra 289. COB 6115 and COX 6130 For Sale (1967) on Car And Classic UK

Larry

[Nedsel]

Think of the AC 289 as a standard 289 Cobra, but using the coil-spring chassis and narrow-hip body work as its foundation. The cars came originally with stock 289 hi-po engines and a Holley 4V carburetor, sourced through Shelby American. They came with 6" wire wheels which used a slightly different offset than the leaf-spring cars, and none were given a hood scoop or roll bar at AC Cars, although several have had them added in the years since. Instrumentation was Smiths; badges were the chrome AC logo front and rear, and nowhere on the cars was there any mention whatsoever of "Shelby" or "Cobra." Since these were generally built to order rather than intended to sit in a showroom in the hopes of attracting a customer, sales were less than brisk - with only 25 produced by AC and 2 more sold in incomplete form. As you mentioned, some were still available into 1969. Mine was built in the late summer of '66 and sold in October of that year.

It is my belief that COB 6115 has been rebuilt to the point that it is not truly representative of how the cars looked originally. In my gallery there are some shots of COX 6111, which remains stock but for the addition of aluminum Cobra rocker arm covers in place of the typical chrome ones; alloy wheels rather than wires; a black leather steering wheel (that has since been replaced with a correct wooden one), and the driver's roll bar (which is coming out soon).

[MotorcityCobra]

Great info, both written and pics. Just what I was looking for. Thanks for responding.

MC

[Nedsel]

You're welcome.