Got a thirst for power that you just can’t quench? Then AK Cars’ latest evolution of its Cobra replica might just be the answer, says Keith Moody

Sooner or later most classic enthusiasts reach a certain age where we will feel an unbearable pang of desire and longing. One single thought will overpower our minds that leads us to stare open-mouthed at insanely glamorous, beautifully curvaceous, topless models… powererd by an all-American V8, of course. But don’t worry, these aren’t the signs of an early midlife crisis – it’s simply the desire to own the ultimate sports car: an AC Cobra.

There’s something about this gorgeous Brit that completely rewires the male brain. Gone is any capacity for rational thought, replaced instead by baser, almost Neanderthal instincts. Grunts, pointing, shouting and stamping ensues when we come into close contact with a Cobra and, at best, we can manage only those three little words: ‘I want one.’

The trouble is, Cobras are expensive and rare (presumably also part of their allure). So what are we to do? Well, we could spend our entire lives in abject poverty, denying ourselves a social life or classic car ownership of any sort while we scrimp and save to get the cash together. Or we could just buy a kit and build our very own replica at less than half the price.

DO IT YOURSELF

This is where companies like Peterborough-based AK Cars come in – they’ll sell you everything you need to build your own Cobra for around £20k. Such a saving triggers another base emotion buried deep down in male psyche. It’s the driving force that helped us to create fire, craft the wheel and build the internal combustion engine: it’s the desire for a bit of DIY.

Dangerous as this desire can be, once triggered it sets in motion an unavoidable chain of events that will change lives forever. Who hasn’t got a story about a dad who took fourteen years to finish redoing the bathroom, or a ‘summer project’ that came home on the back of a trailer and that’s still under cover in the back yard ten years later?

But it doesn’t have to be that way. While many restoration projects quickly get out of hand and empty the family coffers, building a kit car can be a remarkably simple experience. For a start, you’ll have everything you’ll ever need supplied – it’s like a giant Meccanno set, only five times more complicated. Furthermore, how far you go with the spec is entirely dependent on your budget… at least, that’s what I told myself when I got involved with a kit car build a few years ago.

FINISHED ARTICLE
Luckily, today’s outing is all about the finished product. I’ve skipped over all the late nights, grazed knuckles and frantic swearing and got straight to the good stuff – all 430bhp of it. Based on a Jaguar XJ6 or XJ40, the AK427 uses a sturdy ladder chassis and glassfibre bodyshell. But while its roots are firmly in the Sixties, the AK also boasts all mod cons like power steering and air con (as long as you’ve got the roof down).

The 350cu.in. Chevrolet Corvette LS3 V8 is a great choice of engine. Not only does it provide huge levels of low down torque, but it also starts first time and needs no nursing from cold – hassle-free motoring at its best. However, engine revs are limited to around 6000rpm because of large inlet (55mm) and exhaust (40.4mm) valves. That doesn’t matter though, because this engine is all about power when and where you need it most: low down in the rev range. Nail the fly-by-wire throttle in anything other than fifth and you’ll light up the huge rear tyres through the five-speed Getrag ’box.

The ride, handling and steering perfectly complement the engine. The power steering instantly makes the car easy to live with on track or in traffic – it even has a nifty turning circle, which is handy when you’re at Tescos (and we haven’t even mentioned the spacious boot). You’ll need to watch the speed humps though, because ground clearance is limited. That said, this low centre of gravity gives you plenty of feel in the bends while the springs and dampers strike a perfect balance between stiffness and flexibility. Purists will complain that the AK427 is too soft (especially with the power steering), but don’t let that put you off; this car is a great daily driver… although you’d need to tread carefully in the wet.

Behind the wheel is a comfy place to be – despite my ever-expanding girth and six-foot frame. Okay, so I couldn’t get the driver’s seat quite as far back as I’d have liked but I’ve had worse. Long journeys in the AK might take a bit of getting used to, however, as the clutch is a little on the heavy side. Our main gripe was the over-sensitive razor-sharp fly-by-wire throttle. Pull out of a junction and accelerate positively up to cruising speed and you’ll be fine – but back off and you can get caught out as the ECU registers the slightest movements in the throttle, jerking the car forwards and backwards and making it difficult to drive smoothly. Apart from that, it’s grins and spear-shaking expressions of happiness all the way.

DEVIL & DETAILING
For a kit car, the AK427 has some nice touches – just check out the detailing around the front indicator lights. Then there’s the well-appointed interior, which feels classy and has just the right amount of aluminium around the gauges, transmission and steering wheel.

Of course, when it comes to kit cars, critics will always argue that you’re taking a potential classic car off the road. I’d argue that it doesn’t have to be that way if you get all your bits from a breakers and use a donor vehicle that’s long lost any hope of getting back on the road. That said, you could argue that the popularity of the Ford Sierra as a donor vehicle has contributed to the shortage of this Eighties executive on today’s scene.

So what exactly does the AK427 need? Well, the choice is yours – XJ6 or XJ40 will provide the bulk of the running gear, while the steering column comes from a modern BMW, the servo and master cylinder from a Mk III Rover 200 or Rover 25, and the Mk II Polo supplies the heater.

WINDING UP
If you were to ask yourself exactly what it is about the Cobra that sets your heart alight, you’d probably say it was the gorgeous looks and stunning performance. If that’s the case, then the AK427 should more than satisfy your cravings – and you can add a decent interior and practicality (sort of) to the list.

But how much does it all cost? The XJ6 package starts at £3495 plus VAT, and with the engine and all the other bits and bobs you’re looking at about £22k. Ready-made models that you can drive off the forecourt are available… for £43k.

So is it for you? Well, I guess that depends on how good you are with a set of spanners (and how deep your patience reservoir is). Any big project – be it a kit build or a resto – rarely runs smoothly, but is a fantastic way to get to know more about the nuts and bolts side of things while also providing a huge sense of achievement.

Man make car.

Published in the August 2010 issue of Classic Car Mart.

To subscribe to Classic Car Mart click here.