AC Cobra GT Coupe Introduces a Fixed Roof to the Classic Model for the First Time

AC Cobra GT Coupe Introduces a Fixed Roof to the Classic Model for the First Time

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      AC Cars claims to be Britain’s oldest active car manufacturer, and with the company marking its 125th anniversary this year, it’s hard to dispute that assertion. For over half of that quarter-century, AC has been producing Cobras and their replicas. However, it’s only recently that they have introduced a fixed roof option for the iconic sports car.

      The AC Cobra GT Coupe is a self-given birthday gift for the company. Unveiled in 2024, it is based on the Cobra GT Roadster, which signifies AC’s latest iteration of the classic Cobra concept. This model is the first genuine AC-produced Cobra coupe, although the company has previously made cars with detachable hardtops and one prototype restyling project. Known as the “A98,” named after its chassis number, this vehicle was developed in 1964 and participated in that year’s Le Mans, but its chances for a good finish were hampered by mechanical failures. It also reached a speed of 183 mph during tests on the U.K.’s M1 motorway, which reportedly prompted the introduction of a 70 mph speed limit the following year.

      Similar to the more renowned Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, the A98 bore little resemblance to its original model. While AC Cars acknowledges it as a source of inspiration, the Cobra GT Coupe features a more traditional appearance, resembling a standard Cobra with a hardtop added (something AC also did for Le Mans in 1963). The outcome is a bit awkward—it clearly looks like a roadster with a roof added—but it is unmistakably a Cobra.

      The proportions have changed somewhat. The GT Coupe is built on the same custom aluminum spaceframe chassis as the GT Roadster that began production in 2023, resulting in a larger size than the original Cobra to provide additional interior space. The GT Coupe measures 166.3 inches in length and 77.9 inches in width, with a wheelbase of 101.1 inches. This means a modern ND Miata could fit within its dimensions. However, this Cobra offers significantly more power than a standard ND.

      In true Cobra tradition, the GT Coupe is equipped with a Ford V8 engine, specifically the well-known 5.0-liter Coyote engine paired with either a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The standard naturally aspirated variant produces 450 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, while a supercharged alternative delivers 720 hp and 605 lb-ft. AC claims that the supercharged version can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds, achieved with a weight of 3,527 pounds, which is impressive for a two-seater with an aluminum chassis and carbon-fiber body.

      Pricing begins at 234,300 British pounds for the naturally aspirated model and 256,300 pounds for the supercharged version, which is roughly $315,000 and $345,000 at current exchange rates, respectively. While the base price has increased slightly from what AC stated last year, it remains considerably more affordable than an original Cobra. Additionally, these vehicles will be manufactured at the former Saab factory in Sweden, ensuring that one automotive legacy continues to support another.

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AC Cobra GT Coupe Introduces a Fixed Roof to the Classic Model for the First Time AC Cobra GT Coupe Introduces a Fixed Roof to the Classic Model for the First Time AC Cobra GT Coupe Introduces a Fixed Roof to the Classic Model for the First Time AC Cobra GT Coupe Introduces a Fixed Roof to the Classic Model for the First Time AC Cobra GT Coupe Introduces a Fixed Roof to the Classic Model for the First Time AC Cobra GT Coupe Introduces a Fixed Roof to the Classic Model for the First Time AC Cobra GT Coupe Introduces a Fixed Roof to the Classic Model for the First Time

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AC Cobra GT Coupe Introduces a Fixed Roof to the Classic Model for the First Time

AC Cars has a history spanning 125 years and has been producing Cobras for a bit more than half of that period. However, it has never created one quite like this.