Accelerating In A AC Cobra 427 Is Mind-Blowing And Terrifying

Owner: Alain Bouldouyre

Location: Paris, France

Year, Make, and Model: 1970 AC Cobra 427

Photographer: Chistian “BiBi” Martin and Marusha Bouldouyre

When is a Cobra tribute not just another kit car? Consider Alain Bouldouyre’s AC Cobra 427, which started life as a 1970 AC 428.

From 1968 to 1973, AC Cars of England added six inches to the same chassis that it once supplied to Carroll Shelby, but instead of fitting the famous widened AC Ace bodywork, the chassis was sent to Italy to be outfitted with graceful grand touring coachwork by Frua. With a 428 cubic inch Ford V8 under the hood, the resulting AC 428 was like the Cobra’s more sophisticated European cousin.

But everyone loves a Cobra, and in the early ‘80s, Alain’s car went under the knife, losing its Frua coachwork and the extra six inches of its frame, returning the chassis to Cobra specs. A hand-hammered body was crafted in aluminum according to original Cobra plans, and the given an unpainted aircraft finish. A supercharged 427 replaced the less-powerful 428.

Since acquiring the car in 2005, Alain has worked to create an authentic Cobra 427, down to the last detail. All the elements are there – blueprinted 427 big-block, toploader 4-speed gearbox, Hallibrand alloys wrapped in Goodyear rubber – which might be one of the reasons Alain wins so many Best of Show awards in his native France.

Alain bought the Cobra for its looks, but admits he enjoys driving it more. He enjoys driving the Cobra on secondary roads in the French countryside with strong accelerations from brutally hitting the gas creating huge flames all around, not only from the two sidepipes but also from the hood scope too, bursting from the Holley and against the windshield. He tells us, “Acceleration is mind-blowing…and terrifying. I’ve never brought it to the limit. Too scary above 200 km/h. It’s a vicious car!”

Like we said, authentic to the last detail. Just don’t call it a kit car.

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