The original AC Cobra was based on the AC Ace, a British sports car built in the 1950’s. The Ace was built with a Bristol engine, (a pre world war II, BMW designed unit). During the 1960s American, Carroll Shelby had a vision of creating a racecar made from a lightweight European chassis with American V8 power. The result was, what is considered perhaps the greatest sports car and one of the fastest road cars ever constructed - the Shelby Cobra. The aluminum-bodied AC Cobra was fitted with 289 and 427 cubic inch Ford engines.

The Cobra kit car is a favourite among kit car enthusiasts and beginners alike. Due to its popularity there have been many replica Cobra cars produced since the cars conception in 1960, in fact replica Cobra kit cars are more numerous than the original cars.