AC Mk V

[Excaliber]

Theres just not enough lights on the rear for it to be an ambulance, but it's close!

[RedEsprit]

AC isn't dead....just taking a nap. It changes hands every year or so. I'm going to Malta for New Years. Lets all chip in a few bucks and I'll buy it when I'm over there. Somebody start the fund. Shouldn't be expensive.

[JamesCT]

Well I never thought I would ever be back on this site, nor did I ever think that I would say what I'm about to say.

For you people out there that think AC doesn't exist in Malta, I can tell you that it does. Malta is pretty cool I might add. If you still don't believe that there is an AC in Malta, I guess the Discovery Channel wasted a lot of money filming a company in a country that isn't really there.

Ring the Discovery Channel Canada, I'm sure they would be happy to send you a DVD of the show.

Secondly I had the misfortune/fortune of getting involved with AC when they were in a transitional stage and times were tough. It was very hard, and a little hurtful at times.

The Dust has settled for me at least and I would like to offer my opinion. It may not count for much, but It looks like AC is doing a good job keeping the brand alive. The cars are different in better ways and they look great in the photos. Change is good, at least for most people. You don't see Corvette drivers moaning that the new corvette doesn't have the same tail lights from 1953.

There are only two companies in the world that have any right to reproduce a cobra or a cobra look alike, those companies are AC CARS and Shelby. That's it, no questions, ifs ands or buts, they made the originals, end of story,or do people forget that.

All these experts out there, if a knock off cobra is so wonderful, then go buy your wife a Tiffany Neckless at a Chinese Junk Shop and say its the real things. We'll see who's sleeping with the dog.

Good luck to AC, the cars look good. If somebody still has the passion for the persuit of perfection you'll get there.


An AC Fan.

[Wayne Maybury]

Originally Posted by JamesCT

There are only two companies in the world that have any right to reproduce a cobra or a cobra look alike, those companies are AC CARS and Shelby. That's it, no questions, ifs ands or buts, they made the originals, end of story,or do people forget that.

All these experts out there, if a knock off cobra is so wonderful, then go buy your wife a Tiffany Neckless at a Chinese Junk Shop and say its the real things. We'll see who's sleeping with the dog.

An AC Fan.

Just a wee bit provocative for a first post, isn't it?

By the way, who made you king?

Wayne

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by JamesCT

You don't see Corvette drivers moaning that the new corvette doesn't have the same tail lights from 1953.

You also don't see Chevy trying to make the new Corvette look like the 53 Corvette, and screwing it up .

[Naumoff]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

You also don't see Chevy trying to make the new Corvette look like the 53 Corvette, and screwing it up .

I thought the same thing.

What would the AC Cobra look like of it was in continuous production?

The Series 1?




Looks better than the MkV

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by JamesCT

There are only two companies in the world that have any right to reproduce a cobra or a cobra look alike, those companies are AC CARS and Shelby. That's it, no questions, ifs ands or buts, they made the originals, end of story,or do people forget that.

To my knowledge, Superformance is now licensed by Carrol Shelby to produce their cars.

[Madmiles442]

Originally Posted by JamesCT

There are only two companies in the world that have any right to reproduce a cobra or a cobra look alike, those companies are AC CARS and Shelby. That's it, no questions, ifs ands or buts, they made the originals, end of story,or do people forget that.
Good luck to AC, the cars look good. If somebody still has the passion for the persuit of perfection you'll get there.
An AC Fan.

You were involved with them during the tough times? Would that have been,
When the company built only 101 cars (71 in London and 30 in Glascow) from 1970-1982?
Or when the company defaulted into receivership or reorganized in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1996, 1998 and 2005?
Or when Superformance attempted to bail out AC but couldn’t reach terms?
Or when AC agreed to work with Shelby to build continuation original Cobras on Dec. 4, 2003 and after failure to deliver, Shelby had to sue them on May 3, 2006?

In fact, the only manufacturers licensed to build a “Cobra” are Carroll Shelby and Superformance. Not AC Motorcars Holding, Kirkham, ERA, Backdraft or any of the other quality manufacturers that make a "cobra look alike."

But it's good to know AC still has a fan out there.

[xlr8or]

I think James has been drinking from the Lubinsky KoolAid.

[Mark IV]

Perhaps this is not Jame's first post........



I want to set the record straight

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The New MKV isn't even a real carbon fiber car.

The orange and blue car that you see in all the adds is a real carbon fiber body with a nomex honey comb core and it was made in an autoclave. AC didn't even build it. A contractor did.


This new MKV is total crap. Polyester resin, some carbon cloth and fiberglass.

The body isn't even vacuum bagged. The body weighs about 75% more than it should. Just the hood trunk and doors are vacuum bagged. Don't even know if they got that right yet.

This whole new car is garbage. I had a green MKV at my house for a while and the paint cracked in the cold weather.

Oooh I'll probably get a nasty letter in mail from a lawyer now.


Oh yeah ask me if I give a rats %$&? Guess what,NOPE.

Could "Jim530 and James be one inthe same?

Rick

[Trevor Legate]

Dear Mr.MkIV - I'm sat sitting here typing that offical nasty letter as we speak
yours sincerely
Disgusted of Thames Ditton

p.s. The Intergalactic Cobra Czar (it just gets better!) received an envelope in the post today. Cheers muchly. The photo-copies make interesting and whimsical reading...

and like you, I too have witnessed the MkV in the errrrr - flesh?

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Trevor Legate

p.s. The Intergalactic Cobra Czar (it just gets better!) received an envelope in the post today. Cheers muchly. The photo-copies make interesting and whimsical reading...

So you DID notice your promotion?

I thought you might like those particular photocopies. And I have even more!

I am a veritible treasure trove of useless information!

Rick

[RedBarchetta]

The Series 1 has too much "C3 Corvette" written all over it for me, along with a few styling cues from the Viper. It's not very original, IMHO, but then again either was the original AC cars that formed the Shelby Cobra shape (take a look at general automotive design in the late '50's for two seater roadsters and you'll understand where I'm coming from).

-Dean

[Naumoff]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

The Series 1 has too much "C3 Corvette" written all over it for me, along with a few styling cues from the Viper. It's not very original, IMHO, but then again either was the original AC cars that formed the Shelby Cobra shape (take a look at general automotive design in the late '50's for two seater roadsters and you'll understand where I'm coming from).

-Dean

Hey Dean, Post some pics, I did.

But I now what you mean. seen a few roadsters with open oval out front. Two headlights. Four tires. Two doors.

[Naumoff]

1956 P1900



1952 Fiat 8V "Demon Rouge" - coupe body by Vignale



1952 OSCA Mt4-AD - barchetta body by Morelli



1960 Bandini 1000 Sport Internazionale - "Saponetta" barchetta body

Just a few I found.

[RedBarchetta]

Bingo! Nail hit! Yahtzee!

[JamesCT]

Who made me and expert? I did.

Is this my first post? Maybe.

Does it really matter? No.

What I do know is that 90% of what is said on this web site is total BS. If you choose to include my comments in that 90% that's OK. I don't care.


One thing is for sure. 99% of people on this site wish they owened a real cobra built by AC and modified by Shelby. Hey even I do. Maybe one day I'll be one of the lucky few to own an original AC COBRA.

Untill then, I'll wish Mr. Lubinsky, Mr. Owen and the whole crew good thoughts and a bright future.

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by JamesCT

One thing is for sure. 99% of people on this site wish they owened a real cobra built by AC and modified by Shelby. Hey even I do. Maybe one day I'll be one of the lucky few to own an original AC COBRA.

Yes, I wish I owned an original Cobra built by the original AC and Shelby. Hell, I'd even be PROUD to own a Cobra built in the Brian Anglis era. But what AC is today, is a far cry from what AC was then, and so is what they currently call a Cobra.

Originally Posted by JamesCT

Untill then, I'll wish Mr. Lubinsky, Mr. Owen and the whole crew good thoughts and a bright future.

Maybe you and london can have a Luby party together. Hmm, is there a pun in there??

[What'saCobra?]

Some time ago James was warned off the initial MKV's. Tough, very hard & hurtful, his words. Transitional. He now obviously agrees that those warnings were valid. He returns to explain that now things are indeed much better. We hope so. Some valid evidence and important opinion exists that things may be different, but perhaps not much better. Perhaps some better. Time will tell. Owen has his job to do.

To the degree that funds and authority are available to Owen to accomplish his duties, things will improve. But, that is exactly the previous difficulties origins.

We are now suggesting J review and examine the recorded variances between Mr. Owen and Mr. Luby, if he wishes to understand the probabilities and Owen's real difficulties. Of course, given the circumstances, Owen is still ooperating; existence is a significant task in itself.

Youthful exuberance will explain the tendency to lump significant details and personalities together and fail to notice the important differences.

Failing to understand, however, does not make the error more correct.

We hope Owen will succeed in some fashion, as the industry needs more players and choices to improve the breed.

We also hope J will some day own a Cobra... of any sort.

[Excaliber]

RedBarchetta, as is in the 1949 Ferrari Barchetta? Without a doubt! And your point is well taken. The '49 Ferrari influenced auto design for decades following it's introduction. It was a water shed event in automotive design. The Austin Healey could be included in that group! MG certainly, Masserati as well. Heck is there ANY a foriegn made 'sports car' from the 50's (and continuing well into the 60's) that you couldn't link to the Barchetta for styling cues? I doubt it. Long hood, short wheel base, curved body lines. Curved body lines being the biggest single factor. Consider the MGTD, clearly NOT influenced by the Ferrari. The Ferrari was as profound a statement on 'modern' styling as the original Mustang was. which inspired a classic design for many years to come, the 'pony car'!

I always thought it a little strange this idea that "Superformance" makes continuation Cobras, they don't, Hi Tech does. Mere semantics? Not to me anyway, a distinction worthy of note. Superformance is licensed by Shelby for their product, a REPLICA Cobra. Like any other product you might obtain 'licensing' rights for. A guitar, a bowl of chilli, mopeds (yes MOPEDS), etc. etc. There are a HUGE number of things 'licensed' by Shelby, Superformance is only one...

...and now back to AC. At least with Shelby there is a substantial link to the 'man' himself, one man, Carroll Shelby, still with us, still making the dream. It could however be reasonably argued, concerning the validity of todays continuation Cobra, as to wether it should be considered 'real' or 'what ever'. Personally I accept them as 'real' as it gets, but I understand the argument. Ferraris are forever linked to Enzo, even though he has passed on, his heritage is intack and continues, as will continuation Shelby Cobras.

AC is considerably more complex. There is no single 'man' per se, the lineage is far more convoluted than the modern day Cobra. To me it's SO screwed up I'm not sure a 'real' AC exists anymore. All though I understand the argument that it does. At best it's a 'licensed' product!