1964 AC Cobra
- Engine
- V8, competition-prepared by Mathwall Engineering
- Colour
- Metallic light blue
This AC Cobra, carrying chassis plate COB 6040, has a complex identity rooted in a 1964-built right-hand-drive car that was rebuilt by AC Cars following a crash at Snetterton. Its current form incorporates parts of the original chassis assembled by Peter Lamplough, subsequently raced extensively by Steve Hitchins in European FIA Championship competition, with victories at circuits including the Nürburgring, Spa-Francorchamps, Le Mans, and Zolder. Though considered a replica, it has been in single ownership for nearly three decades and is offered with a spare body and period-specification drivetrain components.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate £200,000 – £250,000
- 1964 →Private saleNick Granville-Smithpartial documentation
First retail owner; had the car prepared for competition, then suffered a crash at Snetterton, after which it was returned to AC Cars for a complete rebuild on a replacement chassis.
- 1964-12-12 →Factory deliveryMetcalf & Munday Ltdfull documentation
Fulham-based supplying dealer that received the car new from AC Cars on 12 December 1964.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPeter Lamploughpartial documentation
Acquired salvage components from the original first chassis and assembled a Cobra around them, initially plating it as PL 100 before the chassis identity was later changed to COB 6040.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAries Klootwyckpartial documentation
Owned the car at some point after the Lamplough period; the car was involved in a further incident in 1974 during this ownership era.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownItalian company controlled by Innocenti Juniorpartial documentation
Corporate ownership following Klootwyck; vehicle was involved in an incident in 1974.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownNigel Hulmepartial documentation
Commissioned Emilio Garcia to fit a new body and registered the car under the plate SKK 824G, which it continues to carry.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSteve Hitchinspartial documentation
Raced the Cobra extensively in European FIA Championship events, accumulating multiple race victories; the car was later sold to the current owner along with a newly constructed COB 6040-numbered car.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Purchased both this car and a separately constructed competition Cobra bearing the same chassis number; retained the Hitchins-raced example for road use and has cared for it over roughly three decades.
Competition
- 1993European FIA ChampionshipPaul Ricard raceDriver: Steve Hitchins1st in GTS class
Multiple races at this venue mentioned; a GTS class victory in 1993 is specifically recorded.
- —Snetterton circuit raceDriver: Nick Granville-SmithDNF — crash
Car was prepared for competition use and subsequently crashed at Snetterton, requiring a full rebuild by AC Cars.
- —European FIA ChampionshipZolder raceDriver: Steve Hitchins1st
One of multiple victories recorded during Hitchins's period of European FIA Championship campaigning.
- —European FIA ChampionshipNürburgring raceDriver: Steve Hitchins1st
One of several European FIA Championship victories for the car under Hitchins.
- —European FIA ChampionshipDonington Park raceDriver: Steve Hitchins1st
One of several European FIA Championship victories for the car under Hitchins.
- —European FIA ChampionshipDijon raceDriver: Steve Hitchins1st
One of several European FIA Championship victories for the car under Hitchins.
- —European FIA ChampionshipLe Mans raceDriver: Steve Hitchins1st
One of several European FIA Championship victories for the car under Hitchins.
- —European FIA ChampionshipSpa-Francorchamps raceDriver: Steve Hitchins1st
One of several European FIA Championship victories for the car under Hitchins.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1965RestorationAC Cars
Complete factory rebuild following Snetterton crash damage; the original chassis was set aside and a replacement used, designated COB6040-A, while the original identity plate was carried over.
The discarded original chassis components were later acquired by Peter Lamplough and formed the basis of a separate build.
- —BodyworkEmilio Garcia
Full new body fitted to the Lamplough-built car as part of a comprehensive rebuild commissioned by Nigel Hulme.
Work carried out after the vehicle sustained a further incident in 1974; car was re-registered as SKK 824G following the rebuild.
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