AC Cobra

L&R Roadsters 'RAM' replica

My Cobra is an L R Roadsters RAM Cobra, with the usual stiff Reynard chassis (designed by Dr Adrian Reynard, who also the did chassis for several F1, Formula 3, Formula 3000, Champcar and CART racing cars through the '80s and '90s). It's based on a Jaguar donor (for this car, a 1967 XJ6 was used as donor vehicle, though most parts were refurbished). The RAM make also has a good racing pedigree with Cheng Lim in the Historic Sports & GT Racing series, which he won in 98, 99 and 2000. It's on a par with the later Gardiner Douglas and Dax offerings, to put the quality in perspective. My car's spec is:

  • Chevy 350ci (5735cc) V8 engine with medium road cams, giving around 340bhp and oodles of torque
  • Holley 600cfm carburettor with vacuum secondaries
  • MSD ignition & soft-cut rev limiter (set at 6000 rpm)
  • Facet 'Red Top' fuel pump
  • Manual 5-speed Supra gearbox
  • Spax shocks & springs, on the RAM designed suspension
  • Hallibrand replica wheels with 215/60R15 front and 255/60R15 rear BF Goodrich Comp TA tyres
  • Underslung exhausts, so you get in the cockpit is balanced (rather than deafening one ear, giving you a lungful of fumes in traffic jams and burning your legs when you get out, as the side pipes tend to do...)
  • Blue colour that's got a hint of purple underneath when the light catches it right (photo's don't do it justice)
  • Motolita steering wheel
  • AC pedals & badges
  • Full tonneaux
  • Soft-top
  • 14750 miles since build in '91
  • Performance:

·               Top speed: Quick enough...

·               0-60: Very quick (I'd estimate around 5.0 to 5.2 seconds, based on the 1/4 mile times)

·               1/4 mile times: Under 13.5 seconds at a terminal of over 105 mph (this was done at Elvington airfield, and there was more left if I'd have continued lowering the tyre pressures...)

I bought it from Hallmark Cars in August 2002, and have enjoyed every minute of it - from the gorgeous (and quite friendly) looks & colour, to the awesome sound (those underslung pipes burble beautifully when you're cruising, and really do sing when you rev them...) And that's before I mention the amazing performance that 5.7 litre V8 gives, and the braking those Jaguar brakes give to a car that only just breaks the 1000kg mark...

It's correctly registered as a RAM (a copy of the relevant sections of the V5 registration document is behind this link) and is an original 1967 'E' reg (so is a historic vehicle and has free tax). It was built in '90 - '91 by a mechanical marine engineer (who designed VLCC's as a day job, and obviously really took time and care to make this car right). He only sold it because he was emigrating to Canada, and this car was obviously his pride & joy. He did a very good job of building & documenting it - I've got piles of receipts and even the original VIN plate from the donor vehicle, the original build manuals, and an electrical schematic specific to this vehicle!

Links:

Adrian Reynard

Link to Adrian Reynard's website (RAM chassis designer)

Thunder Road Cars

The people who probably know most about these cars

Hallmark Cars

Hallmark Cars, the UK's premier Cobra replica dealership

Hallmark Cars Showroom

Hallmark Cars, Cobra Replica stock-list

Cobra Racing series

Sports Racing and GT Car Racing series

Pictures:

Front Quarter view:

 

Rear Quarter view:

Dashboard:

(Note the huge transmission tunnel - that's one of the things that makes a RAM so good: the engine can be put quite a bit further back than most replicas, for better balance and handling.)

Engine Bay:

UPDATE:

I have decided, rather reluctantly, that I need to sell this car. I love it dearly, and only want to see it go to a good home where it'll be looked after well... But I simply don't drive it enough - for the last 3 years, I've done between 500 & 1500 miles a year: I only use it in the dry, and when there's no mud or salt on the roads - I don't want to get mud or salt into the engine bay (which is kind of exposed...). And work is kind of getting in the way – there’s no decent safe parking around half of my current clients.

Given that my job will shortly involve doing a 'weekly commute' of maybe a couple of hundred miles, possibly even flying, I'm going to get even less chance to enjoy this car. So I need something with similar performance and grin factor (that's a tough one to follow - trust me!). It needs to fit in the same garage, and be that bit more rain-friendly, so it can be left outside more often. Ideas on a postcard please! Anyhow, because of this, the Cobra is now:

FOR SALE

Obviously, it will be sold with a brand new MoT, and in good condition. If you're interested, or you've any questions that aren't already answered, please contact me (on the details below). It's kept near Bristol, SW UK.

Still, at least I’ll get a chance to do one last blast – I’m booked in on a track day on the Top Gear track (Dunsfold Park). It’s more of a corporate day, to be honest, with a bit of clay pigeon shooting, a top speed run on the main runway, go-karting, and of course that track... The date’s still TBC, but it should be a blast!

Still, once that’s done (later this summer, I hope) I may consider sensible offers from sensible owners – I won’t be inclined to sell to someone who won’t look after it, as I value the car more than the cash... But that said, if you’re interested: Try me...

Contact Details:

E-Mail: andy@wilde.org.uk