BDLJ
4653
By basic 289...
.....I meant the unadorned (no side pipes, nor huge bonnet scoop 
) wire-wheeled basic 289.
I'm still of the opinion that the success of the AC Cobra is largely due to the prettiness of the Ace. The bigger and stupider the engines that were stuffed into them (Shelby didn't dream up the Cobra, AC already had plan for it), the worse they got IMHO. 450hp engines in ladder chassis?
One of the sexiest cars ever IMO.
Just a cool and zoomy ride! Great pix! RIP Mr. Shelby. Cheers, Daos
Automotive Icon & Genuine Legend
His work will live forever Still my favorite roadster of all times RIP Mr. Shelby...
A cranky old coot in his later years...
...but he earned it. RIP my friend, for the car I always wanted, but never could have.
RIP, indeed.
Snorting 7.0l V8s that must have inspired a million replicas. ...but the AC I always wanted was the basic 289, or even a standard and prettier, Ace.
I think that is a 289 depicted in Salman's post, Ben . . .
. . . the 427 had a centrally located distributor, while the 289 had an offset distributor. Don't be fooled by the Webers - Moon made a popular aftermarket manifold back in the day for both 48 IDAs and 45 DCOEs . . .
There's also a chance this one has the Gurney-Weslake . . .
. . . three-valve aluminum heads, Ben - these were almost always fitted with four downdraft Webers.
By basic 289...
.....I meant the unadorned (no side pipes, nor huge bonnet scoop ) wire-wheeled basic 289. I'm still of the opinion that the success of the AC Cobra is largely due to the prettiness of the Ace. The bigger and stupider the engines that were stuffed into th...
I've been along for a ride as a passenger in a modified 'Vette . . .
. . . that cranked out maybe that much horsepower, which would be at half again the weight of the Shelby roadster. I can scarcely imagine what a full-bore acceleration trial would be like in a big-block Cobra . . . .
Passenger.
I hate being passenger...so a passenger in one of those....no thanks! The stat I remember the AC Cobra owning for so long was the 0-60-0 time....Can't recall what the time was exactly, but that particular stat is, to me, a better metric for a performance ...
Agree with you on this... the AC was stunning...
...and the simple, unadorned 289 was perfect for this car and better for the light weight. The AC was one of the most beautiful coach designs ever....
D.A.R.T.
I spy.....Dizzy Aldicott's Alva behind that lovely AC. Makes me want to visit Brooklands even more.