AC Cobra Le Mans electric A legend electrified. The long and thrilling story of the pedigree of the British sportscar is about to open a new and remarkable chapter with two ‘new’ models – faithful recreations of the cars conceived and built almost 60 years ago to secure for Britain the ultimate accolade in sports car racing – success in the 24 Heures de Le Mans.

In 1963, AC built two bespoke AC Cobras for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. One of those was registration number ‘39 PH’ and the other one was registration number ‘645 CGT’.

The Le Mans cars’ most distinctive feature was the large, streamlined aluminum hardtop fitted to improve aerodynamics and to increase their speed along the Mulsanne Straight.

AC Cars is now going to build six limited editions of each car, constructed just like the original cars from hand rolled aluminum. They will be electric powered and use hand-crafted bodywork from the AC Heritage workshops on the historic Brooklands Racing Circuit, with mechanical and electrical units being added at the Falcon premises in Derby.

The 12 ‘new’ heritage cars will each cost £600k plus VAT. The cars will have bodywork sourced from AC Heritage using some of the original, now decades old, ‘technology’ employed by AC. This comprises a highly trained pair of human eyes to judge the fineness of the line of the bodywork, sheets of high grade 16 SWG aluminum and, not least, the services of a specialist and period tools and equipment. The sheet aluminum is hand beaten using planishing hammers, English wheels and decades old body jigs. The panels are then fused together using period correct gas welding using parent material and traditional methods. Together these elements produce perfection!

The body will include bespoke front flares, front cowl, Le Mans split boot lid, quick lift jacks, large side vents and bonnet scoop as per the original car specification.

The cars will be painted AC White and AC Racing Green.

Under the hand beaten body is a power system for a new age. A high powered full electric drivetrain and management system will be at the heart of the driving experience. AC has introduced to its talent pool for 2020 and the future the services of its new Derby-based technical partner Falcon Electric (https://falconelectric.co.uk/).

The interior of the cars will be true to the original cars but with a little more luxury. The interior will be crafted by skilled tradespeople using materials such as metallic black Connolly hide leather.

Specifications: Traditional AC Cobra MkII chassis High grade aluminum hand beaten body Connolly hide leather interior Aluminum hand beaten hardtop Electric power steering and power brakes Battery Capacity: 54 KWh Acceleration 0-62 mph: 4.2 second (estimated)

Torque: 1000 Nm Peak/500 Nm Continuous Estimated Range: 120 miles Power: 460 kW Charging Capacity: 6 kW Weight Under 1,250 kg

For further information please contact: [email protected]