Hi Nik,
I like patina on leather (I wouldn't redo the seats) but I think someone has added some kind of connollising refurb stuff on it years ago and its now cracked and looks shabby. Its also torn in one place, and where the leather meets the body has got full of wax. The whole thing just needs either redoing or replacing. The cars now 26 years old and things just need tlc.
The plate was on it when I bought it, so the answer is I don't know. I've never seen enough cars to be a judge, but it certainly doesn't look "homemade". I think the car was the 1st ever UK car registered. AK1018 is numbered before it, but was delivered in 1984 not sure whether or not its left or right hand drive. AK1021 was LHD but also says its a UK car (Motor show) but wasn't registered until 1985. If you think back to 1983 the UK was in the depths of recession and Brian Anglis would have been very pleased to sell it. He'd probably have rolled out the red carpet for the first buyer! It would be interesting to know what plates are on the cars around that date and how they compare to there build sheets.
The engine differs from the build list as well as it says that its a 351c on the register, but it is a 427 side oiler. Steve Grays worked on the car and says that the chassis was built to take the engine and has not been modified so I can only think it was built for the 427, but who knows.
As with all AC's a little intrigue adds to the fun, but can also make initial ownership baffling! I once asked Trevor to give me night school lessons on Cobra history and recognition. Short nose, long nose, light weight, super blower, fia, CRS, 289, coil spring, leaf spring etc.. Hadn't got a clue. When I first bought the car I just thought I'd bought an old car. How wrong could I be! I've still only seen a few others at AC nationals, and they all vary a little in the build over the years.
Ho Hum!