1966 Cobra 427 by Southern Roadcraft

Description

• UNSOLD at auction December 2022
• Historical 1966 Registration
• Professionally built 1987-1990
• Complete mechanical overhaul 2018
• Only two owners since 1990
• Build number 35

The Backdrop

The genesis of the AC Cobra began with the British-made AC Ace, a lightweight two-seater roadster fitted with a Bristol straight-six engine. In 1961, American automotive designer Carroll Shelby negotiated with AC to install an American V8, and from this, the legendary AC Cobra story began. The Cobra would become one of the most recognisable vehicles in the world, revered for outrageous performance statistics during the 1960s and even by today’s standards.

Ian and Brian Nicholls founded Southern Road Craft Limited in 1984 in Portslade, West Sussex, producing cars and kits as Southern Roadcraft.

Their SRV8 Cobra replicates the original 427 Cobra featuring a tubular frame chassis, upon which a fibreglass open two-seater body was mounted. The chassis was TUV tested in Germany to rigorous standards.

Various V8 engines powered the vehicles, with approximately 600 produced; many were exported to the USA. Although production ceased in 1999, original components and body panels remain available.

Only 260 street 427 Cobras were made, and few remain, commanding prices north of one million dollars; one recent ‘original’ sold for over 5 million dollars. Ready-built recreations are increasingly perpetuating the visceral experience. The Southern Roadcraft Roadster Cobra (SRV8) is considered one of the best-ever Cobra UK-design variants and something of a mythological beast; with Jaguar running gear, MGB steering and Ford V8 power, it replicates a similar build spec and experience to that of the original vehicles.

This particular example benefits from an extensive build history with exceptional features and is undoubtedly one of the best examples in the UK, registered as a historical vehicle from 1966.

History and Paperwork

Starting with the V5 which has a manufacture date listed as 1966 so is classified as an historical vehicle, this also means the Cobra benefits from being road tax and MOT exempt.  Although for peace of mind it will have an MOT at time of sale.

Included is an extensive paper trail with receipts for the original 1966 3.8 Jaguar saloon, through to the build inventory of 1987-1990 and comprehensive work since 2017. Included is the original Bill of Sale from 1990 and 2017, MOTs back to 1990 and registration discs from 1991.

With so much detail within the extensive documents pack the data can be easily referenced to collate the vital information for future parts, upgrades or performance details.

Built between 1987 and 1990 by a specialist builder to a very high standard, she was sold and registered on 10 April 1990 as a ‘Jaguar’ manufactured on 22 March 1966. Twenty-five years later, in April 2015, the ‘one only owner’ set about registering the vehicle as a Cobra Replica SRV8 and the Cobra was issued a new plate, GFX 531D; the registration date changed to 16 September 2015, due to a DVLA error.

SORN’d on 18 September 2015, until purchased by the current 2nd owner on 22 April 2017; after paying the registration fee, the DVLA noted the error and reinstated GFX 531D into the Historical Tax Class, noting it was manufactured pre-1 January 1977 (official letter included).  A new V5 was issued with the date of manufacture indicated as 1966, making her tax-free once again.

Covering only 14,000 miles between 1990 and 2017, equating to 500 miles per year, the new owner commissioned a complete overhaul in 2019. The build included a replacement engine, new gearbox, clutch, flywheel, instruments, prop shaft, uprated stainless exhaust system from Earls at Silverstone and later, springs, wheels, cooling system and other upgrades and improvements. Current mileage since overhaul reads 9250 miles.

Undersealed, dry stored and used year-round in dry weather only, our Cobra has been driven with consideration, with no track days and several trips from Hampshire to Cornwall, Brooklands, and Goodwood across the South Downs. No expense has been spared in the upkeep and improvements of this mechanically sound, visually stunning, and sounding Cobra.

Exterior

This vehicle is finished in a striking classic deep red, a rare colour offered by Carrol Shelby and stands out amongst its peers. Brandishing a period 1966 ‘D’ plate and with brutish good looks, this 427 Cobra is often mistaken for the ‘real’ thing; a glowing compliment.

The body has held out well for her age and shows some minor gel-related markings, befitting a car that has been loved and driven rather than laid up and polished. The visceral impact of this Cobra, both visually and audibly, never fails to raise eyebrows and provoke thumbs up of approval and admiration.

Fitments such as fog, reverse and hazard lights add some practicality to the 427, and the full roll bar and that aggressive bonnet air scoop for the ram air finish what is just a stunning version of these wonderful looking cars.

An original mohair tonneau is supplied, and a soft-top roof with side windows for wet weather use and year-round protection. A fully waterproof (breathable) fitted outdoor cover and a new red indoor dust cover is included.

Interior

The interior shows perfect patina and age for a 1966 registered vehicle. The original leather bucket seats enhance the look and feel of this 1960s roadster, retrofitted to be heated, and controlled from the dashboard. The rich brown interior melds beautifully with the red exterior, receiving much praise. The seat belts are old-school, adjustable, 3-point system for ease of preparation for driving over the fastidiousness of a racing harness, which could be retrofitted if desired.

Waterproof VDO instruments are fitted in preference to Smiths, with the addition of a Stacks fuel gauge for reasons of polarity. Night luminosity is bright from all dials, accurate, fully functional and includes; fuel, voltage, oil pressure, water temp, rpm and speedo. The timber-brushed aluminium Italian Nardi steering wheel feels comforting in the hands and has the correct period look.

The dash switchboard is pure Jaguar from 1966 with a push start, original switches, 2 speed wipers, washer, radiator fan over-ride, rear fog lamp, lights, and auxiliaries, providing a sense of timelessness and nostalgia in addition to an original 1960s map light and chrome ashtray as part of the Jaguar panel. A floor-mounted headlight dipper switch controls the headlight beam.

Further extras fitted include an ambient bay and outdoor temperature switch, an Oxford clock, an ignition kill switch and to keep it safe and sound our vendor has seen fit to fit a Thatcham Cat 2 immobiliser.  And lastly to keep that impressive interior nice and clean the original Tonneau cover will be supplied with the car.

Engine and running gear

• Desirable 1969 351 (5.8lt) Ford Windsor fitted 2018
• Edelbrock aluminium headers
• Roller Rockers
• Ford 302 high-lift racing camshaft
• 1969 ‘Shelby’ manifold intake
• High volume Melling oil pump
• 400hp + performance
• Tom Airey Tuning
• 15” billeted aluminium Dunlop ‘E’ wheels (2021)
• CR6ZZ Avon tyres + 2 spares
• Tremec TKO500 Gearbox (2018)
• Fosseway uprated front brake callipers and discs (2019)
• Stainless exhaust (2018)
• Uprated springs (2020)
• New steering rack (2021)
• McCleod clutch and flywheel (2018)
• Custom 3 core aluminium radiator (2020)
• Fuel regulator
• Superb handling

The extent of work and upgrades are almost too many to mention; our vendor sparing no expense and fastidious in attending to the mechanical aspects of the vehicle. The mechanical elements are where the Cobra made its name, and the power-to-weight ratio made this small English roadster into a mile-munching powerhouse of a road and race car.

Installed initially with a 120hp Rover V8 SD1 engine and L77 Rover gearbox, our 427 had a substantial make-over in 2018. The engine was replaced with a sought-after and scarce 1969 351 (5.8Lt) Ford Windsor block number C9OE-6015-B [Ford Torino or Fairlane] fitted with high-lift Ford 302 camshaft and Edelbrock aluminium heads, providing additional power and a rare ‘Shelby’ 1969 aftermarket manifold intake. ‘In the USA, this was a little-known jewel to those hobbled with racing rules allowing ‘stock’ intakes, surprising many of the Chevy guys back in the days of track racing in the 60s’ as it significantly improved air intake and, therefore, power.‘

 

*Please note: the V5 has been legally updated to reflect the engine change from a Rover 3500 cc to the larger Ford 351W. Though it reads 5700 cc; it should read 5800 cc (351cubic inches) a minor admin error on the part of the owner and easily rectified if you so wanted.*

Between 1969-1974, 351 Ford Windsor blocks (casting id C9OE- 6015-B) were far superior in strength than later ones, making these early blocks the most robust and desirable in the entire Small Block Ford (SBF) engine family. The engine was sourced from a 289 Hawk Cobra. Before installation, the 351 was thoroughly inspected by Master Mechanic Vince Gibbs (Classic Cars), giving the engine a clean bill of health.

‘Immaculate inside, Comp Cams roller rockers on Edelbrock aluminium heads with push rod guides . . . the con rod and main crank bearings are in excellent condition. Assessment of the cylinder bores shows little scoring, and the cross-hatch hone is still visible. The camshaft lobed shows little wear, and there is a double roller chain for the cam drive (much stronger than stock). The oil pump, we will upgrade to a Melling, which will deliver 25% more volume and pressure over a stock pump.’

A new (2022) Edelbrock 600cfm manual chock carburettor has recently been fitted, providing improved performance with superb reliability. The 427 was tuned by the legendary Tom Airey (Airey Tuning), whose rolling road is limited to 400bhp. In his test, he noted the rear wheels ‘spinning’ at 145mph and 5th gear unobtainable, concluding the engine was generating greater than 400bhp.

A PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system is fitted to lower pressure within the crankcase chamber, limiting gases sneaking between the pistons into the crankcase and mixing with motor oil to create engine sludge. The stainless exhaust with ‘straight through headers’ into 2 1/2” side pipes exiting via a 3” rear pipe makes a truly thunderous sound; the side pipes are glass baffled only, as per original Cobra specs.

Mated to a 2018 Tremec TKO 500 gearbox and a Salisbury Jaguar differential, the 427 cruises at 70mph in 5th at an astonishingly low 2000rpm, improving fuel economy and providing 30% reduction in rpm. Change down to 4th, press the pedal, and the engine will launch you via the epic torque from the rear wheels.

The front springs are uprated to 2 x 600lbs, and the rear 450lbs x 4 provide firm handling and minimal roll. Fully adjustable Spax shocks, in keeping with original specs, allow ride height and firmness to be set to the driver’s liking. The Jaguar front brakes are uprated with Fosseways lightweight aluminium 6082 T6 billeted aluminium four-piston callipers and slotted dimpled discs reducing the car’s un-sprung weight, improving handling; the power-assisted brakes correctly plumbed into the manifold outlet.

A 3-row custom oversized aluminium radiator from Custom Rads Nottingham and a Craig Davis digital thermostat has been installed (2020) for super accurate control and sensitivity for fan operation. A manual override switch is fitted within the cockpit to activate at any time or left ‘on’ permanently. The steering rack has recently been replaced with a fully reconditioned and original MGB rack from Kiley Clinton Engineering Birmingham (not a cheap Argentina version), as was standard on authentic Cobras.

Wheels, Tyres and Other

The wheels are a unique feature of our stunning 427 Cobra as they are Inspired by the famous 1963 factory-built Cobra Le Mans Coupé 645 CGT shod with Dunlop wheels produced for the Jaguar D type and later modified to fit the Jaguar E-Type lightweight racing variants. Computer cut from billeted aluminium in 2021 by Realm Engineering (Adrian Cocking) known for his association with continuation Cobras. The fronts are 7.5″ x 15″ ‘E’ style wheels with 4.75″ backspace, the rears 9″ x 15″ 5.25″ backspace + 1/2″ aluminium ring into the mounting face. Fitted with lug nuts, the period look is complimented with three-eared dummy spinners. The look is a timeless, iconic, legitimate, a rare choice for the 427 Cobra, amounting to over £600 per corner. A leather spinner mallet is provided.

The wheels are shod with the CR6ZZ Avon tyres, coveted as the best rubber money can buy; the tyre of choice amongst Cobra drivers worldwide, worthy of the horsepower, added control and handling provided by these ‘wet’ beefy compounds befitting a 427 Cobra. 245s are on the front wheels, and meaty 275s on the rear, wider than most Cobras on UK roads in addition to 2 x CR6ZZ Avon spares for the front wheels, with less than 2,000 miles of use.

Our View

Many re-creation 427 Cobra’s, fall short of nearing authenticity regarding horsepower levels, engine choice, tyre and wheel selection and overall appearance. This Cobra 427 has been built to be as close to the genuine experience as possible.

‘Owning this vehicle has transcended everyday motoring. You have to treat her as you would a race car. Pre-flight checks and regular involvement with her are essential to maintain her to the highest standards. Consequently, you are rewarded with the visceral, raw thrill of driving in the way this car was intended.’

Heron Autos Hayling Island have carried out servicing and regular oil changes. All of these add to the usability and performance of this car, making it a perfect candidate for anyone seeking an exciting driving experience.