Messages

31

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / MKIV AKL for sale

« on: April 12, 2013, 05:31:52 »

quote:Now back to the initial question, what makes a MK IV lightweight more special? Was it the price people where willing to pay for it in first instance? Are the first 12 cars build then even more special as being most close to 1960 specifications?

   I can’t quit put my finger on it, but there is something inherently sad about this and related threads.  A Mk IV is a Mk IV, be it standard or lightweight.  A Lightweight, be it one of 26 or 73, is still a Mk IV.  Making a Mk IV a Lightweight doesn’t make it a Mk III, nor does it make it better, significantly faster, or even better looking.  You can make any Mk IV go as fast as any other variant; even it’s 60’s brethren, so this is a pretty trivial point.  If you can’t appreciate a Mk IV for what it is (a great sports car, a piece of rolling artwork, amazing for ever being built in its day, and even more amazing for being sold in Ford dealerships in the states), you may be what some Mk I, II, & III owners probably think you are: a poser or a wana-be.  A Mk IV is a Mk IV, and I for one love it because of how it came to be and what it is: an exceedingly fun car to drive. I can’t understand the suspiciously self-serving need to make it more, or less, depending on how it looks or how you look at it.

32

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / Mk. IV for Sale on EBay in U. S.

« on: April 12, 2013, 05:01:54 »

See http://www.acownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1566&SearchTerms=ak,1385

33

General Forum / Long Lost Unknown AC Model?

« on: November 28, 2012, 03:41:34 »

quote:Originally posted by lyonheart84
   
LOL there's no way that hideous monstrosity is a genuine Excalibur. I've seen plenty of them over the years and although they weren't to everyone's taste, Excaliburs were quite well built and engineered cars that used mostly Corvette running gear and were modelled on the Mercedes SSK's of the 1930's, and were generally referred to as Neo-Classic reproductions. The other similar quality manufacturer in America was Zimmer ( not the same as zimmer frame manufacturers ! ).  It looks more similar to a Gazelle (also American ) from the mid 1970's but even they were much prettier than the car on E=Bay. nikbj68 is right £ 2995 is probably all it's value ! I think the chappie on E-Bay is lucky not to have been pulled up under the trade description act LOL. I wouldn't be surprised if some clever clog that imported it originally managed to wangle registering it as an Excalibur........
   

You are absolutely right... real Excaliburs are quality cars (see http://www.excaliburclassics.com/excals.html).  Unlike the car in question, they were not kit cars.

34

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / No respect

« on: November 13, 2012, 14:24:14 »

quote:Originally posted by Chafford
   
As often is the case, nothing in life is simple, Jurgen! However, all Mk IVs from 1982 onwards were licensed to use the AC badge and outside the USA, by Ford to use the 'Cobra' moniker (up until June 2002). From 1986, Brian Angliss as AC boss was effectively giving himself permission as Autokraft boss to descibe his cars as 'ACs'.
   
   I think therefore it's accurate in the broad sense to say that your car was built by 'AC'!
   

There seems to be much to do about nothing.  We know that sometime in 1986 CP Autokraft bought AC, and then sold a controlling interest (50.96%) to Ford soon after.  Thus, Ford and Autokraft owned AC, which “manufactured” the Mk IV.  This is no different than GM owning Chevrolet, which manufactures the Corvette (and GM is stamped all over Cheverolets just like Autokraft is stamped on ACs), or BMW owning Rolls Royce, which manufactures the Phantom (I haven’t checked-out any Phantoms to see if BMW is stamped anywhere).  After Ford was bought-out by Autokraft it became the sole parent company.  God knows what happened after that. [:0]

35

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / No respect

« on: November 06, 2012, 13:02:15 »

quote:What really irks me though is when people think my Morgan is a kit car!
   

Yeah, I have the same problem with my super seven![]

36

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / AC Heritage Register for the Mk. IV

« on: October 15, 2012, 18:41:14 »

quote:Originally posted by BBK
   
I had a recent inquiry in with Steve Gray at AC Heritage, asking him whether his company, with its position in the AC world, issues a sort of "heritage" certificate for the various models of AC cars, inclusive of the Mk IV.  ... We are putting together an Autokraft register of cars that exist today as Brooklands was their birthplace and our facility and archive dept are keen to include this generation in the Brooklands History of vehicles manufactured within the site . If you wish to add your details please send some recent photos and up to date information on.  And pass that message on to anyone in the US that has a Mk1V please that may be interested."

   Not sure what benefit this would provide.  A heritage certificate would have to be based on AC factory records, which I assume AC Heritage does not have.  Providing heritage certificates based on owner-supplied information is a little like having a fox guard a hen house.  Where are the guarantees of “heritage”?
   
   In reference to an Autokraft register, the ACOC already has that information.  Why recreate the wheel?

37

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / original catalytic converters

« on: September 28, 2012, 02:43:06 »

quote:Originally posted by SwissAKL
   
That would be awesome if you could post the numbers (there are 4 cats, 2 each side), I'd be grateful for your help. Alex
   

Front cat has following embossed info visible through heat shield: 1st line -  FORD 5F25C, 2nd line - E7Zc-DA 5, 3rd line - AZA// 8-041.  Rear cat: 950051-1.  Left side turned 180 compared to right and front turned 180 compared to back.  All 4 look identical.

38

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / AKL 1351 for sale at Auction

« on: August 09, 2012, 14:03:02 »

quote:Originally posted by Chafford
   
Estimate £48,000 - £54,000 which seems very low for a Mk IV:
   
   http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page/175196/1994-ac-cobra/
   
   

Maybe they forgot the 1 before £48 and £58?[]

39

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / AC Cobra 427 S/C (COX 6136)

« on: May 24, 2012, 16:04:37 »

quote:Originally posted by Chafford
   

Originally posted by shep
   
Recent original Shelby Cobra 427 auction sales (at current exchange rates):  CSX 3127 £700,600, CSX 3228 £560,500  CSX 3249 (a low) £380,200; the latter was sold in Europe and had its original 427 replaced by a 289 in the '70s. The car now has a (non-original) 427 unit.
   
   CSX1001 a continuation 427 Cobra built by AC for Shelby American in 2005, fetched £213,694 at auction. However it's worth pointing out that this car was Carroll Shelby's personal car, so that may have inflated the price.
   
   Rod Leach's COB 5002 427 continuation built in 1998 has been on the market for some time - no price given but a recent 'Octane' article suggests a price for these cars from £250,000 - £300,000. COX 5012 which has a AC built body and chassis (in 2002) and was completed elsewhere is also still on the market. The dealer 'Private Collections' wants £225,000 for this car.
   
   The 'buzz' words for all these cars in adverts are 'FIA' 'Historic' '1960s parts' 'AC Cars Certification' 'investment' 'good value for money compared to an original'
   
   However COX 3361, another 427 'continuation'completed after AC closed its UK operations, only received a bid of £100,000 at auction last year, less than half its reserve price.
   
   

That pedestrian dark horse (I should say snake) known as the Mk IV is looking awfully good, and what a deal for those in the know.

[Can a Cobra be “real” (or is a better word legitimate?) without a Shelby association]

40

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / Cobra MkIV Prices

« on: April 19, 2012, 20:43:44 »

quote:Can a Cobra be “real” (or is a better word legitimate?) without a Shelby association AND an AC association? …a rhetorical question if there ever was one.  However, the implication for all those continuation cars boggles the mind!
   

quote:But I'll answer anyway. The AC Cobra sold outside the US and the AC 289 Sports.

   ...and a great answer at that!

41

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / Cobra MkIV Prices

« on: April 19, 2012, 17:46:29 »

quote: Imagine what it's like to own a real, genuine AC (Shelby) Cobra ...

Funny, I was under the impression that Mk IVs were real, genuine AC Cobras, just the delayed 4th generation with a really confused lineage.  I can’t help wonder what Ford was thinking when they excluded the Cobra name from the US market, but allowed the cars to be sold in Ford dealerships with the Cobra logo displayed in each door sill and the Cobra name embossed in silver on the blue faux suede cover of the Mk IV owner’s Manual.  Can a Cobra be “real” (or is a better word legitimate?) without a Shelby association AND an AC association?  …a rhetorical question if there ever was one.  However, the implication for all those continuation cars boggles the mind!

42

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / Cobra MkIV Prices

« on: April 19, 2012, 14:23:32 »

quote:I wonder if this lack of recognition in the States is also due to the fact Ford allowed Autokraft/AC to use the 'Cobra' name outside the USA. The car here is very much the 'AC Cobra Mk IV' rather than the 'Autokraft AC Mk IV'
   

Don’t ya just love labels!  How about the GM Chevy Corvette or the Fiat Ferrari 458, and let’s not forget the Superformance Shelby Cobra!

43

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / AC Superblower Steering Rack

« on: April 18, 2012, 20:10:49 »

quote:BTW I suspect the steering on front engined Lotus would become quite heavy if you fitted an iron block V8 and 225 tyres:-)  Would make an interesting vehicle though.  Maybe someone stateside has done this?

Yeah, we call it the Lobra, and if Colin Chapman was alive today you would probably hear him say in a Texas drawl, if it ain’t light it ain’t right.

44

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / AC Superblower Steering Rack

« on: April 18, 2012, 14:13:34 »

quote:Originally posted by jbottini
   
My 87 AK was exactly as ANF 289 explained. The SB that MKIV spoke of was basically the same.I believe it is called "manual steering" . You can fit the larger diameter wheel if your thighs allow it, but, I do not remember my ex CSX3327 with 15's being easy from a stop...althoughthe power seemed to help get to easier speed much quicker. MKIV tells me that is a faulth memory on the speed issue.
   

   Good to know Jim.  As long as it’s “normal” I’m good with it.  I’ll just view driving it as part of my exercise program.  However, explaining it away as simply “manual steering” doesn’t quite do it justice.   My Lotus has manual steering… the AC is sooooo much more!
   Art

45

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / AC Superblower Steering Rack

« on: April 17, 2012, 19:54:12 »

quote:Originally posted by C9OBY
   
Hi Gary, before you go down the power rack route, get your suspension geometry checked (have a chat with Big Al).  I found a big difference in low speed steering once my ride height, toe-in and camber etc had been set up correctly.
   
   Wheel size also plays an enormous role.  With 225 front tyres on 16-inch rims my steering is feather light, but with (current) 15-inch rims running 235 tyres it's significantly heavier.  However, as mentioned above, the steering should get much easier once you're moving.

   I’ve often wondered what was normal steering for a Mk IV.  My 88 is like a truck (not a little heavy, a lot heavy… I’d guess around 50 ft/lbs of torque!) when it just starts to roll, I’m really cranking on the wheel as I turn and back it out and turn it up the driveway.  However, once moving (3-5 mph on up) it’s light and responsive.  I have 235/60 15’s on the front, and wondered if the stock 225/60 16’s would make that big of a difference.  I guess I’ll just grin and bear it until I accelerate, and then I just grin. []
   
   I’m sure steering wheel diameter (mine's stock) would affect this as well, but not the grin factor.