I Blame Ned Scudder

[Dave Schwaab]

Just before my 13th birthday, the August, 1963, issue of Mechanix Illustrated arrived in my mailbox. On the cover was that iconic picture of Tom McCahill test driving a black 289 Cobra roadster. I was already a fan of sports cars thanks to my big brother, a Navy fighter pilot, who had given me several rides around the Virginia countryside in his 1959 TR3A.

A British roadster, with an American V8 heart, this was the car of my dreams! Even when the big-block 427 was introduced, the nimble little 289 seemed to be the car to have, especially as the excessive power in such a light little car was more than all but the most accomplished drivers could handle. (Can't tell you how many times I watched a 427 Cobra pirouette around that heavy big-block at SCCA solo events.) So, it was the slabside 289 I lusted after.

I had raced formula cars and sports racers in my younger days racing in the SCCA, but it was a simple sports car I wanted to be driving now. A return to the simple joy of a beautiful day spent driving my own Triumph sports cars around the roads of South Jersey, which I had done so frequently in the late '60s and early '70s.

Then, I saw Ned Scudder's car in an online article about a 2006 Cobra Tour on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Wait a minute! Here was the shapelier 427 body, complete with the upgraded chassis and suspension, but powered by the classic 271HP 289 HiPo V8! It really was the best of both!

The article called Ned's Cobra a “crossover car”. After some research, I learned that the car was actually an AC Cars 289 Sports Mk III. As part of their deal with Carroll Shelby, AC Cars were allowed to complete a few cars at their Thames Ditton factory and offer them for sale in England and Europe. There were 27 cars built in the AC 289 Sports Mk III series, with only 8 of those cars having Left Hand Drive for Europe.

With a lot more research, I have been able to gather significant details and pics of 7 of the cars, and just snippets on 4 more. One thing I noticed, while the basic concepts remained throughout the series, a lot of the details varied widely. There is no one prime example that is the mold from which all the rest were drawn.

While they all left the factory with 289 engines, under car exhausts, smooth hoods and 185x15 tires on 15x6 wire wheels, other details were not so precise. There was some diversity in front splitters, taillights, bumpers and even the rear fenders. Many were modified by their owners in fairly short order, hood scoops and roll bars being very popular. Over time, some received further modifications, including a couple that were upgraded to the 427 engine, to match the Shelby built specs. (In my humble opinion, that last mod ruins what I consider to be, one of the best British roadsters/sports cars ever made!)

My FFR Mk4 Roadster is being built in homage of the AC 289 Sports Mk III series, but does not replicate any particular one of the original 27 cars. It is powered by a Ford BOSS 302 crate motor, rated at 340HP, driving a Mustang 8.8” limited slip solid axle, with a 3.27 final drive, through a Tremec T5 5-speed manual transmission, with a mid-mounted shifter, courtesy of an S-10 tailshaft. Stopping will be accomplished by 1995 Mustang Cobra brakes, with 13” vented rotors with dual-piston calipers in the front and 11.65” vented rotors with single-piston calipers and e-brake in the back. The 17x9 Halibrand replica wheels are shod with 245/45R17 front and 275/40R17 rear tires. Exterior lights will be upgraded to LEDs.

This should give me a nearly perfect car for enjoying many brisk drives through the countryside. Thank you, Ned Scudder.