by Mike Gulett –
I have listed my 1987 Autokraft AC Cobra MK IV on Bring a Trailer (click here to see the listing). The auction lasts for 7 days and will end on Saturday, July 22 at 12:37pm.
I sold my Lamborghini Espada last year on Bring a Trailer and was happy with the experience, so I am trying it again. I also bought the 1966 Bizzarrini GT 5300 at the Russo & Steele in person auction in Monterey in August 2008.
It takes some work to take all the photos needed and to write up a detailed description. It is important to describe the car accurately and to take lots of photos because most cars sold on BaT are done so without an inspection.
Below is my original write up that I sent to BaT. The final version after the BaT editors did their work, with my approval, can be seen at the link above.
Listing Details
• VIN: SA9AK3022HA017226
• Chassis No. AK 1226
• 2.8k Miles
• 5-Liter Ford V8
• Electronic fuel injection
• Borg Warner T5 five-speed transmission
• Salisbury limited slip differential
• Black Paint
• Black Leather Upholstery
• Aluminum body
• Four-wheel disc brakes
• 16″ Aluminum alloy Halibrand style Center-Lock Wheels
• Owner’s Handbook, sales literature & service recordsThis 1987 AC Cobra Mk IV, VIN SA9AK3022HA017226 (Chassis No. AK 1226), was manufactured in December 1987 at the Brooklands race track in Weybridge, Surrey, England. The AC Cobra Mk IV is a 1980’s development of the original 1960’s Cobra by AC Cars. AC cars used the original chassis jigs and tooling to create the aluminum body of the AC Cobra Mk IV cars. This car was produced to meet U.S. safety and emission requirements. The AC Cobra Mk IV is described beginning on page 802 of the World Registry of Cobras & GT40s. The Registry states that 494 of the AC Mk IV models were made.
The current owner purchased this AC Cobra in February 2015 with 435 miles on the clock from the second owner, a lawyer in New Orleans who purchased it in August 2001 from the first owner, an investment company in Southern California. It now has approximately 2,800 miles. This Cobra Mk IV is finished in its original combination of black over black Connolly hide. It is powered by a 5-Liter (302 cid) Ford V8 with EFI and has dual stainless exhausts with tubular headers, roller camshaft, aluminum valve covers and intake manifold and a 5-speed manual transmission. The wheels are Hallibrand pattern aluminum alloy with peg drive – 7 x 16 in. front and 8 x 16 in. rear. The tires are BF Goodrich with 225/50 ZR16 in front and 255/50 ZR16 in rear all date coded 2014. It has four-wheel disc brakes, dual independent servo-assisted hydraulic circuits, and a mechanical parking brake.
The steering wheel is a wood rimmed Moto-Lita brand, with an AC logo in the center, that was added by the current owner. The original leather wrapped steering wheel comes with the car. Instruments include: a 170 MPH speedometer, tachometer, clock, gauges for oil pressure, water temperature, fuel level and battery condition. Warning lights for brake fluid level, headlamp main beam, indicators/hazard lights, low fuel, handbrake, choke and seat belt fastening. It also has an Alpine system.
This AC Cobra Mk IV was serviced in September 2022 including installing a new battery and completing an oil change. It comes with the original steering wheel and gear shift knob, removable black soft top with side windows, a black tonneau cover that is damaged, wheel wrench and hammer, spare wheel and tire, service records, Owner’s Handbook, sales brochures, a clean Carfax report and a clean Montana title in the name of the seller’s LLC.
AC Cobra Mk IV VIN code:
SA9AK3022HA017226
SA9 = Country of Manufacture (UK)
AK = Manufacturer (Autokraft)
302 = Engine
2 = Check Digit (a convoluted formula that ensures no two cars can get the exact same VIN)
H = Model Year Code (F=1986, G=1986, H=1987, J=1988, K=1989, L=1990, M=1991, N=1992, P=1993)
A = Assembly Plant
017 = British Standard (used on all cars)
226 = Build Sequence (actual production number)Mike Gulett’s AC Cobra Mk IV on the street in Carmel
Below is how the AC Cobra Mk IV was described by the manufacturer in an AC Cobra Mk IV Brochure from the 1980s.
AC Cars is Britain’s oldest car manufacturer and has the unique distinction of having been in continuous operation since 1901. AC Cars manufactured the AC Cobra during the 1960’s, the majority of which were exported to North America. The present AC Cobra is a development of the 1960’s model, having been re-engineered to meet the stringent vehicle legislations of the EEC and North America. As the original manufacturers, AC Cars use the original tooling in the construction of the present Cobra. Some 2,000 highly skilled man hours are expended in the manufacture of each vehicle, all traditionally hand built by British craftsmen.
Two seat, two door sports convertible of tubular steel “ladder” spaceframe construction. Main tubes of 4 in. diameter cold drawn tube. Stainless steel tubular bumpers on telescopic struts. Bodywork of hand-rolled 16 gauge aluminium alloy, seam welded using parent metal. Seats, facia and door panels trimmed in Connolly hide. Deep pile Wilton carpeting bound in leather. Convertible top and tonneau cover in Everflex. Electric radio antenna. Lockable fuel filler cap.
INSTRUMENTS
Speedometer, tachometer, clock. Gauges for oil pressure, water temperature, fuel level and battery condition. Warning lights for brake fluid level, headlamp main beam, indicators/hazard lights, low fuel, handbrake, choke and seat belt fastening.ENGINE
5.0 Litre Ford V8 302 EFI. Dual stainless exhausts with tubular headers. Roller camshaft, aluminium valve covers and intake manifold.TRANSMISSION
Borg Warner TS 5-speed. Salisbury limited slip differential.SUSPENSION
Both front and rear Independent by unequal length wishbones with coil springs and concentric shock absorbers.STEERING
Rack and pinion. 3.3 turns lock to lock. 24 foot turning circle kerb to kerb.WHEELS AND TYRES
Hallibrand pattern aluminium alloy with peg drive – 7 x 16 in. front and 8 x 16 in. rear.BRAKES
Four-wheel disc brakes with 11.56 in. diameter ventilated front and 10.75 in. diameter rear. Dual independent servo-assisted hydraulic circuits. Mechanical parking brake.ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
12-volt negative earth, fully fused. 72 amp. alternator, 65 amp./hr. battery. Two 60 watt sealed beam main headlamps with combined 45 watt dip headlamps. Parking and indicator lights at front. Parking, indicator and stop lights at rear. Hazard warning system. Windscreen washers with two-speed wipers and delay.DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 90 in.
Track (front/rear): 56 in./60 in.
Length: 162 in.
Width: 68 in.
Height: 49 in.
Weight: 2620 lb.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
What’s next on your list?
Mike, best wishes to you on a successful sale of your beautiful Mk. IV.