1967 AC 289 Sports (Mark III small-block Cobra)
- Engine
- 289 cu in (4.7L) OHV V8, 271 bhp
- Colour
- Medium metallic blue
COB 6120 is a right-hand-drive AC 289 Sports — one of only 25 complete examples built on the Mark III coil-spring chassis using the narrow-wing body and 289 cubic-inch Ford V-8, produced after Shelby American wound down Cobra production. Delivered to Lincoln Motors of Birmingham in August 1967, it passed through several British owners and was raced at Silverstone in the 1970s before receiving a comprehensive restoration by UK specialist Historic Automobiles, completed in 2014.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate £450,000 – £500,000
- 1967-08-01 → 1967-09-01Factory deliveryLincoln Motors of Birminghamfull documentation
Car was consigned to this Birmingham dealership directly, registered in Guardsman Blue with black interior.
- 1967-09-01 → 1970Private saleWilliam Cadburyfull documentation
First retail owner, registered the vehicle as KOX6F.
- 1970 →Private saleEric Astonpartial documentation
Purchased from Cadbury; exact date of onward sale not recorded.
- 1974 → 1981Private saleStephen Klingepartial documentation
Noted at purchase that he believed himself to be the sixth owner. During his tenure the car competed at Silverstone twice and received bodywork modifications including wider rear wing flares and a bonnet scoop.
- 1981 →Private saleMr S. Houserpartial documentation
Acquired the car following modifications made under the previous owner; exact sale date not recorded.
- 2000 → 2002Acquisition unknownJonas Lidénpartial documentation
- 2002 →Private saleMost recent prior ownerpartial documentation
Commissioned a full restoration by Historic Automobiles Ltd, a leading UK specialist, completed in 2014. Car refinished in medium metallic blue with pleated black interior and fitted with period-style Cobra trim.
- Date unknownPrivate saleWilliam Pellypartial documentation
Owned the car for a period after Aston; dates of acquisition and sale not specified.
Competition
- 1962-10-01Los Angeles Times Grand PrixDNF — broken hub
First competitive outing for a Cobra; retired early but demonstrated pace against Corvette rivals.
- 1963-11-01Sports Car Club of AmericaSCCA A/Production National Championship1st
289 Cobras claimed the top title in this class.
- 1964United States Road Racing ClubUSRRC National Championship1st
Cobras dominated the series to take the national title.
- 1965FIA World Manufacturers ChampionshipWorld Manufacturers Championship1st
Cobras secured the world title despite Shelby's view that a larger-engined car was still needed.
- 1976AC Owners ClubSilverstone AC Owners Club scratch race2nd
COB 6120 ran on BRM wheels and finished second in the five-lap scratch event.
- 1977Silverstone race
Car sustained damage during competition and was subsequently repaired by Cobra Parts, with a repaint to dark blue with light blue striping.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1977RepairCobra Parts
Damage sustained during racing at Silverstone was repaired; car was repainted in a dark blue shade with light blue striping.
- 1981Modification
Widened rear wing flares, a bonnet scoop, a competition-style fuel filler, and an oil cooler scoop were fitted prior to sale.
Modifications carried out during or at the end of Stephen Klinge's ownership.
- 2014RestorationHistoric Automobiles
A thorough, comprehensive restoration was completed, returning the car to a high standard; Cobra engine trim and a nose badge were fitted, and the car was finished in medium metallic blue with a pleated black interior.
Work commissioned by the owner who acquired the car in 2002; described as one of the leading AC specialists in the United Kingdom.
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