In 1962, AC Cars and Carroll Shelby began producing a small roadster with a V8 engine, called the Cobra. Today, more than sixty years later, these cars are built in several places around the world according to the same original concept.
A car that makes a noticeable impression, due to its luxury, performance, design, or unique features, serving as a symbol of the owner's status, wealth, or taste. -Google AI
If you live in England and have done well financially, you might buy a Range Rover. They are quite prevalent in nice neighborhoods. But if you have done really good – made a lot of money – you might be looking for a Aston Martin dealer. Aston Martins are not only very expensive, fast and beautiful cars. They are also what you could call "a statement car" as the introduction to this post so aptly describes.
Compared to other car manufacturers, Aston Martin Lagonda a car brand with a low production volume. Nevertheless, they sold 6020 cars in 2024. That's a good number considering that both the cars and the engines are hand-built. But not in the same way as in the previous production facilities. Today, everything rolls forward on an assembly line and robotic arms perform the necessary lifting and other trivial tasks. It is still folk along the assembly line that assembles the cars – not robots. The sports cars are currently built near Gaydon, Warwick. In the same neighborhood we also find production facilities for Jaguar Land Rover og British Motor Museum.
Aston Martin DB12
Tight sports models
In the model program you will find three different models that at first glance look quite similar. It is Vantage, DB12 og VanquishWe can also mention DBS which was phased out last year. All models have the large grille that was first shown on ONE-77The differences in external dimensions are not greater than one could have characterized them all in the same size class. But in Aston Martin's own words, the Vantage can be described as "a compact sports car", DB12 as "The world's first super tourer" while Vanquish is "flagship"The Vanquish also has an 8-9 cm longer wheelbase than the other two, and it has a V12 engine, while the other two have V8 engines from Mercedes-AMG.
Why has a small car manufacturer, like Aston Martin, chosen to offer three separate models with minimal differences instead of one model in three versions?
The VH platform
Customers who can afford to buy a new Aston Martin are likely to value features such as individualisation and tailoring, rather than off-the-shelf products. Aston Martin chose to develop a modular platform ahead of the production of the DB9. The VH (vertical horizontal) platform consists of aluminium components that are glued, riveted and bolted together – and reinforced with a carbon fibre composite material. With the VH platform, the time to produce a frame was reduced from 4 hours to half an hour.
Aston Martin chassis.
The last model to use the VH platform was Rapide S. until 2019. Today's models still use a modular chassis of aluminum components that are assembled as a kit – but now the components are glued together without rivets for optimal strength and rigidity.
2024 Aston Martin DBS Volante Superleggera 5.2 V12
Formerly owned by Ford
Aston Martin's history can be divided into two periods. Before and after Ford's ownership of the company. In 1987, Ford bought in 75% and in 1994 they achieved full ownership before selling the company in 2007. Together with Ford, Aston Martin was able to streamline production, create new models and – not least – a V12 engine.
With the help of Jaguar and resources from parent company Ford, Aston Martin was able to create the DB7, which was the start of a new generation of cars with new engines and new lines.
Aston Martin DB7 V12 Volante.
The turning point
The DB7 was developed and produced while Ford owned both Aston Martin og JaguarBoth automakers were in the process of developing new models. Jaguar was working on a successor to the XJS and Tom Wilkinshaw (TWR) wanted to adapt the project to a modified XJS platform. He saw that Aston Martin's new project, called XX, could also use the same platform. Walter Hayes, then CEO of Aston Martin, saw the potential in this and got it approved by Ford management. If you look closely, you can sense that the DB7 shares some lines with the XK8, especially around the rear.
Production of the DB7 began in 1994 – before the V12 engine had been fully developed. The first cars were therefore equipped with Jaguar's 3.2-litre straight-six – in a supercharged version. It was not until 1999 that Aston Martin's V12 engine was ready. It was installed in DB7 Vantage – the first Aston Martin V12. In the same year, the DB7 with 3.2 disappeared from the model range.
In total, more than 7000 DB7s were produced over 10 years of production – more than any previous model.
Aston Martin's first generation V12 was a 5.9-litre naturally aspirated engine with 48 valves and 4 camshafts built by Cosworth Engineering. It was cast in aluminium to keep weight down. In the DB7, the engine produced 420bhp. At that time, fixed-roof cars could do 0-100 in 5,0 seconds with a claimed top speed of just under 300km/h. In later versions, more than 600bhp was extracted from these engines.
The second generation V12 was a 5.2-liter twin-turbo engine. The first model to get this engine was the DB11. Aston Martin has also developed its own V12 engines for special – and more racing-oriented – models.
The V8 engines
In 2005, production of two truly successful models began. They were called V8 Vantage or V12 Vantage depending on engine. The V8 engines were based on Jaguar's proprietary AJ-V8 design. They were hand-built as a 4.3 V8 – and from 2009 as a 4.7 V8 – both naturally aspirated.
When Aston Martin again presented a new Vantage model in 2018, it was with V8 engines from Mercedes-AMGAston Martin has partnered with Mercedes-Benz to supply engines and electronics, including infotainment systems and navigation. Things that are expensive to develop in small series.
Aston Martin Vantage interior with upgraded infotainment system. Photo: Aston Martin.
Gearboxes
The gearbox is located in the transaxle located at the rear for favorable weight distribution. Early models could be delivered with Sportshift – a semi-automatic gearbox that allowed sequential gear changes using paddles on the steering wheel. The system may take some getting used to and there have been reports of problems with the first cars. The subsequent TouchtronicThe ZF system has been trouble-free. Early cars and some special models have also been delivered with 6-speed manual gearboxes.
aston martin valhalla
An electric future
In 2023, Aston Martin announced and Lucid about a strategic, long-term collaboration that includes, among other things, the supply of electric powertrains. Aston Martin's CEO Adrian hallmark has declared that the company's first electric car will be launched by 2030. Not before, because the market for electric cars in Europe has been slower than expected. According to Hallmark, tightening emissions regulations will likely mean the end of the V12 engine by 2030.
Aston Martin Vanquish 3. Photo: VG1/Shutterstock.com
Today, Aston Martin's flagship, the Vanquish 3, is equipped with a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 engine. It is definitely in the supercar class with up to 835 hp and a torque of 1000 Nm. The stated top speed is 345 km/h.
Aston Martin in Norway
In these times, Oslo Motor Show announced that they will be showcasing aston martin valhalla in October. This is Aston Martin's first hybrid car – a monster of a supercar that will be produced in a limited edition of 999.
Aston Martin's distribution here is also limited. The number of registered cars from 2022 to today is approximately 20 cars, most of which are crossover/SUV models. DBXThe peak years – if you can call them that – were 2005 and 2006 with a total of 70-80 cars, including used cars imported afterwards.
Aston Martin Vanquish 1. When the Aston Martin Vanquish went into production in 2001, it represented the pinnacle of Aston Martin's model range.
Buy Aston Martin?
Cars that can be included in the 20-year rule today are DB7 (3.2), DB7 Vantage, V8 Vantage (4.3 and 4.7), V12 Vantage, Vanquish 1 og DB9. A general advice is to buy the most expensive car you can afford. The most modern model in this range is the DB9 (VH chassis and 5.9 V12). The DB7 was, compared to other models, an affordable car that opened up the car brand to new buyer groups. Today they are still "cheap", especially the models with 6-cylinder engines.
Norway's most widespread Aston Martin is, by the way, V8 Vantage Coupe produced between 2005 and 2017. A very good choice. List prices in 2005 were NOK 1.525.000 for cars with Sportshift. In 2010 prices had risen to NOK 2.013.000. In comparison, V12 Vantage NOK 2.870.000 this year.
There are no known pitfalls. Cars with Sportshift should be carefully tested to ensure that it works well and that you feel comfortable with the gear system. Maintenance history is important. Take good care of the engine, as Aston Martin does not normally produce engines for the aftermarket. New body parts can be obtained from the factory, but this can take a long time and cost a lot of money. This is the disadvantage of hand-built cars.
The price level of early models from the 1960s – such as the DB4, DB5 (Agent 007) and DB6 – is extremely high. These cars are likely to continue to increase in value. Will newer Aston Martins increase in value? Most cars reach their lowest prices after 20 years. After that, some models may increase in value. Time will tell.
Aston Martin DB5Aston Martin ONE-77
Aston Martin DBX.
About the pictures
The green DB12 and DBS Superleggera were photographed while standing on a residential street in Chelsea, London in 2024. The green DB7 Volante was parked on Oksenøya outside Oslo in 2017. The blue V8 Vantage Roadster was standing on a street in Notting Hill, London in 2024. The images of the interior of the 2025 Vantage and the subsequent image of the Aston Martin Valhalla are press images from Aston Martin. The image of the new Vanquish 3 was photographed in Miami in 2025. Photographer and rights belong to VG1 / Shutterstock.com. The photo of the black Vanquish 1 was taken at a car meet for the Norwegian Jaguar Club at the old air traffic control tower at Fornebu in 2025. The DB5 with the same registration number as agent 007's car was on display at the London Classic Car Show in 2020. The rare ONE-77 was on display at the London Concours in 2019. The Aston Martin DBX was photographed while parked on Oksenøya outside Oslo.
Aston Martin Lagonda Heritage in Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell was the company's former manufacturing facility. The image is a screen shot from Google Maps.
See
Jaguar's first series-produced eight.Mercedes-AMG GT.
Cobra 427 probably from Superformance with a Ford GT in the foreground
In 1962, AC Cars and Carroll Shelby began producing a small roadster with a V8 engine. Today, more than sixty years later, these cars are built in several places around the world according to the same original concept.
Based on AC ACE
It was Carroll Shelby - one of the world's most famous car makers - who created the Cobra in collaboration with AC Cars - a small sports car factory by the Thames in the village Thames Ditton, Surrey, England. They had ended production of AC ACE after 9 years in production. The model was very similar in appearance to today's Cobra and had been delivered with sprightly 2-litre inline sixes from AC and Bristol. Some cars had been built for a larger engine – a 2,6 liter inline six from the Ford Zephyr. Subsequently, several ACE cars have also been upgraded with 289 V8 engines from Ford/Shelby. That was Carroll Shelby's plan. He wanted to equip the ACE with Ford's 260 and 289 V8 engines. The cars were to be produced in Thames Ditton as "semi-finished products" and sent to Carrol Shelby's company Shelby American in Enterprise, Nevada, for engine and drive assembly.
1956 AC ACE
3 series
The AC Shelby Cobra was produced in 3 series.
The 1-1962 Mk1963 had a 8 or 260 cubic inch V289.
Mk2 1963-1965 got rack and pinion steering - and continued with the 289 engine.
Mk3 1965-1967 got the larger 427 V8 engine from Ford. Among other things, the model received new suspension with coil springs, wider wheels and extended wheel arches.
Cobra (probably Factory Five) in front of Austin Healey's at Hadeland Glassverk
Cobra details at Oslo Motor Show 2021
1965 Factory Five Racing Cobra 427.
After 1967, regular production of the Cobra ceased at AC, but production continued elsewhere. All cars produced afterwards can either be characterized as "continuation models" or "replicas". Over the years - from the first replicas being built in 1965 to today - people still talk about the same series. A distinction is made between cars with "small block" and "big block". The variants are often referred to as Cobra 289 and Cobra 427, although they have newer engines in the same size class. Several newer Cobras have a 460 engine and are then referred to as "Cobra 460". Other designations used are "Leaf" and "coil" model. The 427 model is often referred to simply as the "Mk3".
"Street", "racing" or "semi-competition"? The majority of cars from regular production were street car versions with the exhaust pipes leading out the back. Only a few cars were produced fully rigged for racing. Today, the 427 S/C "Semi-Competition" is popular with wide wheels, side pipes and a 4-point belt, but equipped with a speedometer and other things you need to drive on public roads.
Continuation Models
It is almost impossible to find remaining cars from the original production series. The closest you can get are the cars that Shelby American itself has produced as "continuation" models. The chassis numbers are structured in the same way as the original cars - with CSXmnnnn where "m" is the model and "nnnn" is the serial number.
CSX40000 – Shelby Cobra 427 S/C until 2009 CSX60000 – Shelby Cobra 427 S/C from 2009 CSX70000 – Shelby Cobra 289 FIA (racing) CSX80000 – Shelby Cobra 289 Street
Previous serial numbers are reserved for cars from regular production.
Also approved as a "continuation" model Superformance MkIII. It is the only model outside of AC and Shelby that is approved as a "continuation" model. This means that they can build cars that are identical to the original cars. Shelby is also said to have at least once bought cars from other replica manufacturers - among other things Kirkham Motorsports. You have to be an expert to distinguish replicas from the original cars.
Carroll Shelby Heritage Center, Las Vegas. Photo: aa_w/Depositphotos.com
Replicas
Replicas are sold in various levels of execution – from bodywork on chassis to complete cars. All the cars are amazingly similar to the originals they are based on. You have to get under the skin to find out which manufacturer has delivered the building kit or the car. In terms of construction, all the cars are built on tubular steel frames with bodies in either fiberglass or aluminium. The inner door and sides must be shaped like an aluminum vessel, although the design varies somewhat.
3 important factors
There are three factors that can determine the quality and value of a Cobra Replica: The supplier of the kit, the drivetrain and who built the car. I've made a list of replica manufacturers I've found based on sales ads and the vehicle registry. Note how many manufacturers there are, and the list is probably far from complete. By searching online discussion forums, I have tried to find out which of the manufacturers are the best and which have weaknesses, without finding any answers. Varying quality has been reported from car to car, something to be expected as there is a lot of handwork in production.
Replica manufacturers
B & B Manufacturing
Backdraft Racing
Contemporary Classics
ERA
Everett-Morrison Motorcars
Excalibur Cobra (Pre-built)
Factory Five Racing
Gardner Douglas (UK)
Hurricane Roadsters
JBL Motorsports
JK Sports Cars – DAX (UK)
Kirkham Motorsports (US/PL)
McGill Manufacturing (stemmed from B&B)
Motorsport Center Mohr (DE)
Phoenix-Cobra (DE)
Pilgrim Motorsports (UK)
Saier Automobilbau (DE)
Shell Valley Classic Wheels
Superformance (South Africa/US)
Ultimate Classic Cars
Unique Motorcars
1965 ERA Cobra 427 (replica)
1966 Shelby Cobra 427 continuation model with with CSX serial number
Not just Ford engines
Although the original series of engines are no longer in production, there seems to be a good supply of Shelby engines. Several use engines from GM in their projects. British Cobra builders often use V8 engines from Rover and Jaguar. German manufacturers can offer engines from AMG/Mercedes-Benz. There are also cars with 4- and 6-cylinder engines. Alternative engines are hardly inferior to Shelby/Ford engines, but some might argue that it detracts from the vehicle's model identity, that it is no longer a Cobra.
Authentic or just an all right car?
A Cobra in good condition with low km costs just under NOK 1 million or more. It's actually not the worst thing you can spend money on. With good care and good treatment, the car can retain its value until the day it is sold. How important is it that the car is as similar to an original Cobra as possible? Without history, papers, receipts and characteristics, it can be difficult to establish authenticity. The chassis number can give the name of the manufacturer. Where the engine comes from is also important. Not only producer, but also whose who may have overhauled it. One can compare it with the stamp on antique porcelain, or the signature on a painting. In resale it can mean a lot.
The chassis number
Some manufacturers follow a system for their chassis numbers throughout the ages, although you can not Be sure the number is genuine. On the original Shelby models, they must have been punched in several places, including in the frame. I would think it also applies to Shelby's own continuation models. All Cobras built at Shelby must have a chassis number beginning with "CSX" - "Carroll Shelby Export" from the time when the Cobra was produced in England.
Newer Shelby cobra 289 continuation model
Newer Shelby cobra 289 continuation modelNewer Shelby cobra 289 continuation model with roots in AC.
Here are some other examples of chassis numbers I have found: CCX.... - Could be Contemporary Classics FFR.... - Could be Factory Five Racing KC.... - Could be Kirkham Motorsports SP...., SW..., or a 17-digit VIN beginning with “AC9C” – May be Superformance
The problem with chassis numbers is not only that they can vary from year to year from the same manufacturer, but they can also be misrepresented, either in an attempt to match the number to a 17-digit VIN or someone has mistakenly entered it engine serial number. In the case of second-hand imports to Norway, the owner can note the car make and model himself. You can apparently write anything here.
Seller's obligation to provide information
On the replica manufacturers' own websites, the models are referred to with names such as "Kirkham 427" and "Superformance MkIII" - not "AC Shelby Cobra 427" which the model is based on. If the seller does not know - or chooses not to give the name of the replica manufacturer - the headline of the ad should at least show the word "Replica", even if "the whole world" knows that cars after 1967 are not original. It's about acting seriously as a seller.
Reputable car shops and auction houses that sell exclusive, classic cars state the name of the replica manufacturer in the headlines. Many replica manufacturers have been producing cars for decades. Their cars are as good as the cars Shelby produces. There is therefore no reason to hide the replica manufacturers' identities.
Several cars on the market have been built/converted in a way that allows them to be considered "one-of-a-kind" projects. In particular, this seems to be the case for cars built on Corvette chassis. Here, the seller should be able to provide full documentation - preferably with photos. Not to establish that the car is good, but to document origin and authenticity. It can be good to have when the car is to be sold on.
Today I find 4 advertised Cobras in the million range for sale on Finn.no. Of the 4, only one reveals the name of the manufacturer. It's a great one Contemporary Classics 427 which is for sale at Svelvik Car Sales. In another ad I can reveal that it is about one JK Sports Cars – DAX in 427 look, without it being mentioned anywhere. The other two cars advertised for sale appear to be self-built cars on Corvette chassis.
Based on a 10-year-old design, the AC Shelby Cobra was already a classic when the first car was built. We are talking about an old roadster concept devoid of today's requirements for comfort, space and safety. The dashboard is a veneer sheet without airbags. Electronics are absent. The V8 is located far back, almost into the driver's seat. It has carburettors - no injection - no turbo. Heat, smell and sound are conveyed to the driver and passenger. Driving the Cobra gives a feeling of mastery and you are in command.
About the pictures
The main photo was taken at an amcar meeting at Nøstetangen in Drammen in 2018 before the construction of the new homes. The Cobra in the picture is probably a Superformance Mk3 427 - and if so a "continuation" model. The car photographed at Hadeland Glassverk is a Factory Five Racing 427. Note the pictures of the black and white Cobra 427 facing each other. Who is a replica - and who is real? The black (tv) is a 1965 ERA Cobra 427 while the white (th) is a 1966 AC Shelby with CSX chassis number (original or contiuation). The pictures of the black car come from Shelby's website. It's a newer Shelby 289 – a car faithful to the original 1962 Cobra – based on the AC ACE. I do not know the origin of the car in the last picture.
