1990 AC Cobra MKIV Lightweight

Chassis Number: AKL1328
Engine Number: LF172076

• The Drambuie MKIV Lightweight

• 16300 miles from new

• One of only a handful of MKIV lightweights with the correct ‘AKL’ chassis number.

In the 1970s, the AC factory at Thames Ditton stopped service and repair of older Cobras. Brian Angliss’ Cobra Parts operation quickly picked up that business and built up a strong and influential customer base. He also moved closer to the factory operation over the years, eventually collecting enough original tooling, jigs, and body bucks from Thames Ditton to fabricate new chassis and aluminium bodies.
For Angliss’ new Cobra, the bodies were similar to those built for the 427, but they used highly tuned 302 V-8s. Although they used the same four-inch tubular steel frame, the cockpit was extended to allow more room for slightly taller individuals.
The quality of Angliss’ work was so well-respected by owners and others in the AC community that in the mid-eighties he was allowed to purchase the rights to the AC name from the Hurlock family, who had been strongly protective of the venerated name that they controlled since the 1930s.
A new AC company was established as a joint venture with Ford, who had also recently bought Aston Martin. Angliss’ company then began offering the AC MkIV.Given his legal right to use the AC name and, more importantly, the unbroken lineage of craftsmen, tools, and materials employed in their production, these cars were lauded for their high levels of build quality and their retention of the original’s spirit and are generally considered “continuation” cars.
Autokraft shortly after that, moved to a purpose-built factory in Brooklands; in total, approximately 400 MkIV Cobras were built.Most of these were built in 'standard' MKIV guise and by special request to 'lightweight' specification, of which very few were built. The lightweight honed back to the original MK3 cobra styling with performance upgrades.

The main 4-inch diameter ladder chassis was retained with lightweight superstructure. The bodywork is to original short nose specification with cooling ducts and bonnet scoop, 427 type rear bodywork with recessed 4 inch racing fuel cap in the wing.

The ancillary differences were:
- chrome-plated rollover bar
- original-style stainless steel bumper bars
- chrome-plated overriders
- original-type dashboard with chrome-bezel instruments
- original-type steering column
- wood-rim steering wheel
- two windshield wipers, as per period Cobras -windwings and sun visors

The wheels were 15-inch Halibrands instead of the 16 inch fitment on standard MKIV's.
Most importantly, the Ford 302s fitted were carbureted and uprated to stage 3 motorsport conversion with aluminium cylinder heads (SVO).

This particular motorcar, AKL1328, was ordered by Mr. MacKinnon of Drambuie Liqueur Company through renowned Cobra dealer Rod Leach's Nostalgia. It was ordered in the famed whisky liqueurs' corporate colours and to a very high specification at the cost of £200,000. A few months after delivery, the car returned to the factory for complimentary upgrades.

The second owner is just as notable to our younger audience. Mr David Jones of Dundee. The founder of DMA design, now Rockstar Games. Mr Jones owned the MKIV when the first instalment of the multi-billion dollar computer game franchise Grand Theft Auto was released.

Ben and Angela Yates, both well-known AC Owners Club members, would go on to acquire the Cobra in 1998. They were the first owners to use the car as intended. They were taking it on continental tours and to club meetings, covering the majority of the mileage on the Cobra to date. Ben (a gifted engineer) and Angela owned and superbly maintained it for almost 25 years until it was purchased by the current owner in 2020. Another avid AC enthusiast is always pursuing the finest examples of the AC marque, including the prototype AC 428 Convertible that we have recently marketed. The owner recently serviced it, covering the engine oil/filter, gearbox oil, and differential oil. Unlike many other MKIV lightweights, AKL1328 retains its original factory specification as follows.
- Ford diamond white paint paired with red & gold stripes
- black leather interior, with contrasting red piping
- black tonneau
- aluminium hood scoop
- stainless steel side vents
- front air intakes
- oil cooler
- chrome stoneguards
- wood rim steering wheel
- wooden gear knob
- spinners
- windwings
- matching numbers hand-built stage 3 engine with aluminium cylinder head and carburetor (SVO specification)
- ´Powered by Ford´ side badges
- full weather gear
- spare wheel

The factory fitted complimentary upgrades in August 1990
- self cancelling indicator
- manual choke cable
- improved clutch quadrant
- shorten gear lever
- modify the pedal box to make pedals the same height

The history includes the original sales invoice, specification sheets, and general correspondence. The full history of the MOT certificates warrants the mileage. This is a unique opportunity to acquire one of the finest examples of the AC MKIV Lightweight available.

POA
To find out more about this significant motorcar please contact our sales team for further details.
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