Are you a muscle car fan? Maybe you’re a bit of a mechanic, and you’re interested in buying an AC Cobra kit to assemble one yourself, so you can drive it around and be the envy of everyone. You see it, and you’re on the cusp of buying it, but you’re still not sure. Maybe these awesome facts about Cobra cars will push you over the edge…
- They are incredibly fast. The Cobra Mark I was fitted with a V8 Ford Windsor engine, which is an immensely powerful engine. The advertised horsepower of the Shelby Mustang GT 500 was 335, but that was a low estimate done for the insurance companies. The true horsepower was much closer to 400. In 1964, a Cobra Coupe was able to reach an astonishing 186 miles per hour on a British motorway. If you’re looking to own the cobra replica for recreational use, you probably will not need to be going that fast, but it’s one hell of a legacy to be a part of.
- They are very light when compared to most racing cars. On average, a racing car weighs around 3,400 pounds. AC Cobras are famous for weighing much less than this. The original AC Cobras weighed almost 500 pounds less than the Chevrolet Corvette. In 1990, a “lightweight” version of the Cobra was debuted. At 2,360 pounds, it was 260 pounds less than the previous model. It also managed to keep the horsepower high, achieving 370 with the engine rotating at over 5,500 revolutions per minute. This lighter weight helped it achieve its high speeds. If you’ve put together replica cars before, this light weight is something to keep in mind when your AC Cobra kit arrives, as it’ll probably be lighter than you’re used to.
- Some models are rarer than others. What model is it that you’re eyeing? If you’re looking for a more vintage car, you might have some trouble. There were only about 500 of the 1964 Mark II cars built. If you really want to turn some heads, getting a replica car kit of that Mark II might be just what you’re looking for, but it’d probably get a bit more expensive.
If you’re a muscle car fan and you’ve got your eyes set on an AC Cobra kit, keep all this in mind. It’s fast, powerful, and lightweight, and it’s earned its place in roadster history.
