2000 AC Cobra Mk IV 212 SC

According to the original AC advert for this special car, AC Car Group Limited created the AC Cobra 212 S/C as the evolution of the legendary 427 S/C, which dominated the 1960s and has been continuously bult to order. The 212 S/C was built on the legend of the 427s awesome performance by combining iconic styling with 21st century technologies and materials to meet targets set by ultimate sports roadsters.

Factory-built back in the year 2000 this particular car features a 3.5-litre 350bhp twin-turbocharged Lotus V8 engine, mated to a full carbon fibre body which was the largest one-piece construction of its type in the motor industry at that time. This specification led AC to claim it to be, at the time, the fastest accelerating production car to 100mph ever produced. The result was a power to weight ratio of 390bhp/tonne and a 0-60mph time of 4.0 seconds, with 100mph coming up in 9. Top speed was 155mph. Power reached the ground via a six-speed Tremec gearbox and BTR Hydratrack limited-slip differential. Other noteworthy features included power steering as standard and AP Racing dual-circuit servo-assisted disc brakes all round. With its title coming from its engine capacity in cubic inches and the 'S/C' standing for 'Street/Competition', only a few of these cars were ever produced and the right-hand drive example we have has an illustrious history. X577 HRD featured for AC at the 2000 British International Motor Show, indeed its early life was served as the press car for AC and it was featured by Car Magazine, Evo, Octane and Top Gear magazines. It also made an appearance on the Top Gear television show and was driven by Jeremy Clarkson, Mark Blundell and Damon Hill along with a further appearance on Jeremy Clarksons video Top 100 Cars.

Pleasingly accompanied by a factory hard top, wet weather equipment and the interior features the additions of a CD Player and full intercom, with headsets and microphones. The seats were retrimmed within the last 4 years in the correct grade of Alcantara. As you would expect of a car of this significance, this AC is accompanied by a fully documented history which contains its original build information, press cuttings, and a plethora of invoices for work carried out over the years. Furthermore, as you can see from the pictures X577 HRD also features in Trevor Legates book "Cobra. The first 40 Years" and the vendor has generously included a copy with the car. The current indicated mileage is just over 22,000 miles.

All things considered, Silverstone Auctions are extremely proud to offer such an interesting piece of British Automotive history to the market. Everything is on tap here, rarity, provenance, performance and high quality. We welcome and encourage interested parties to come see the car during the NEC Classic Car Show weekend itself.