Auto Trader California 
Cars are about as American as apple pie and baseball. You see this cultural stand-by every time you get behind the wheel and coast along one of the country’s many open roads, seeing firsthand all the unique and creative models on display. Although many of American’s cars are used (indeed, it’s estimated there are far more used cars than new models nowadays), there is still a powerful car culture always reasserting itself. People don’t just drive cars. They love them. The AC Cobra replica is a natural result of that love and a kit that attracts thousands of devoted fans year after year.
Investing in an AC Cobra replica is the very definition of bringing the old up with the new. Why has this car model retained such a loyal fanbase all these decades?
Learning about the AC Cobra replica means brushing up on your car history. The sleek and attractive models you enjoy today had to come from somewhere and the AC Cobra has remained a popular muscle car for more than a generation. Born in the 1920’s, Carroll Shelby would later make history for creating some of the world’s most efficient and lightweight car models. Carroll Shelby’s original AC Cobra designs were originally crafted to be ‘Corvette-Beaters’, despite weighing almost 500 pounds less than the Chevrolet Corvette of the time.
This Cobra model first debuted at the 1990 Geneva Salon, with its weight reduced from 2,620 pounds to just 2,360 pounds. Despite this significant weight change, its power was boosted all the way up to 5,750 rpm. With racing and roadsters weighing up to 3,400 pounds (occasionally more), Cobras carved out their niche as a lightweight model that could still blaze ahead with the best of them. Carroll Shelby later built 654 small-block Cobras alongside 350 big-block versions between the 1960’s and 1980’s. Never one to settle for less, Shelby’s work has remained much beloved in the car culture of today.
That’s not even close to the end of this custom roadster’s history making. An AC Cobra Coupe reached a famous 186 mph on a British motorway back in 1964, shocking audiences who were unconvinced such a lightweight car could possess the power for a top speed. Although manufacturers advertised the horsepower of Shelby’s Mustang GT 500 as 335, this was an intentionally lowered estimate to keep insurance companies happy. The actual horsepower was closer to 400. Not unlike a Trojan horse, there’s much more to the Cobra than meets the eye.
A Cobra kit replica will help you craft a classic style with modern sensibilities. This means you don’t have to worry about your car being what’s known as a ‘gas guzzler’! Each kit will provide you the basics, though some require you bring a few of your own equipment to round out the set. Which one you want will depend extensively on your experience building replicas and your personal tastes. Although this is very much a personal journey for many, there’s no shame in asking an expert for some tips on crafting Shelby’s iconic creation.
An AC Cobra replica is providing you the very best in speed, efficiency and style. If you find yourself interested in authentic replication, there are more than enough car kits to build for the budding fan and experienced driver alike.
