Hello AC folks,
it´s nice to do wildcatting and fooling around with all of you. Let me remind you, that we are all part of the AC community. What aroused my interest of the Mk VI is the question, what is going on with the brand AC. Even if for sure and naturally there are different opinions who might be the best inheritor of the AC brand it is a matter of fact that the name AC is related to the company who owns the right to use the name.
There may be good times and bad times in the centenarian history of a company, but one of the more important things is that the companies survives.
To cut the long story short, it is time to acquaint you with some facts:
There was a very strong reaction of the press on the AC´s press release – of course there is an unvaining interest in Cobra´s.
The idea of the Mark VI is to build a practicable car (reminds me a little bit of the Superformance Daytona Coupe idea).
How often did you climb in your Cobra with the roof on it? How did you feel? Like a contortionist entering a snake?
So, that´s why the Mk VI will have a Hardtop with “Flügeltüren” (the “Flügeltürer” may be trademarked by Mercedes, the “Gullwing” is trademarked by the Gullwing GmbH). Easy to enter, possibly waterproof and you can go 150 mph with a top on the car. Did you try this with your softtopped Cobra? Carbon will lead to a light hardtop, which is easy to remove.
Does make sense from my point of view.
The body will be made from Carbon like the Mk V.
The Chassis will be lengthened by 2 inch. That doesn´t affect to the shape, but will result in more space for the passengers. There will be a new frame and new axle technology.
The project is still at it´s beginning, that´s why first deliveries will not be within this year. Delivery will be on a first come – first serve basis.
Target is a price below 100k€.
The Chevy engine will be the first choice because of the lower price compared to a Ford engine, the availability of parts and equipment and the better fit (e.g. for the steering).
There are further plans to create a 289 shaped 50th anniversary model in three years.
These are first hand informations from a telephone call to Christian Wolf, general manager of the Gullwing GmbH, who is related to Cobras since 25 years. As I reckoned, Jürgen Mohr, his partner, is the one involved in the Mohr Cobras.
Concerning Greg Lubinski he stated, that he is led by his personal opinion and not by the opinion of others.
I had a very enjoyable call with him and from my point of view, he is a kind person. Because of that and because I like Cobra shaped cars to be alive under the AC badge and I like the Mk VI hardtop and interior design (o.k., 15 inch wheels on my Mk VI), I ended the phone call with my best wishes for the success of the project. And that´s where I stand for.
“Facts” recalled from my memory in all conscience.
What I don´t know and didn´t ask is the relation of the AC Heritage and AC Autokraft activities to the Mk VI project. I guess, these are to totally different things (classic shape AC ACE / Cobra on one hand – modern shape AC Cobra on the other hand; Cobra stands for the body shape not for the Cobra trademark).
Michael
