AC Ace, Aceca, Greyhound and Cobra: books - history

AC Ace, Aceca, Greyhound (1953-1962) - Brooklands Road Test Portfolio

The AC Ace was presented to a surprised public at the 1953 London Motor Show. By the Spring of 1954 the production prototype was on the road and in May the first customer cars were delivered. Aces were soon appearing in competitive events and then in October came the announcement of the Aceca, essentially the Ace underpinnings with a beautifully sculptured light alloy coupe body.
The Greyhound was introduced in 1959 with a mixed reaction to the styling so it was quickly revised and put back into production. In 1961 supplies of the Bristol engine were becoming more difficult so the Ace and Aceca were offered with a Ford Zephyr 2.6 6-cylinder unit.

This book replaces the Brooklands title 'AC & Aceca 1953-1983' which was published nearly 30 years ago. The bulk of the articles appear in the large book 'AC Cars 1904-2011' but this title is updated to include the Greyhound and contains some new 2012 articles.

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AC & Cobra Cars (1962-2011) - Brooklands Road Test Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the AC sports cars from the years 1962-2011. Describes the Cobra Shelby 260 and 289, 427, Autocraft Mk.IV, Superblower, 212 SC, CRS, AC Mk.VI, 428 Convertible and Fastback, AC 3000ME and the new Ace.

• The 55 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

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Shelby and AC Cobra

In the new edition of this classic text, Brian Laban brings the story of the AC Cobra up to date. In the early 1960s, a flamboyant Texan, Carroll Shelby, dreamed of a special kind of sports car, a marriage of European style with lusty, affordable American V8 power.
He took his dream forward and he persuaded British sports car specialist AC Cars to build his car, and US industry giant the Ford Motor Co to fund it. Its name also came to him in a dream - Cobra.

The original production of the Cobra lasted just five years and encompassed barely a thousand cars built within the original framework. But it was only the beginning of a story that is still very much alive, encompassing 'continuations', spin-offs, and a massive worldwide replica industry.
"Shelby and AC Cobra" details the man behind the cars, the story of their development and engineering, racing pedigree and owning and driving these powerful, iconic cars today.

Shelby Cobra 50 ans

Carroll Shelby, éleveur de poulets texan devenu pilote de courses, a eu l'audace de créer sa propre entreprise de fabrication d'automobile, d'où sont sorties des voitures de sport ultra-performantes. Après le lancement de la fameuse Cobra, en 1962, le succès de Shelby American a surpris tout le monde, sauf Shelby lui-même. En matière de performances, ses voitures ont établi des références mondiales, encore valables aujourd'hui, tout en remportant au passage un Championnat du monde.

L'ouvrage "Shelby Cobra : cinquante ans" célèbre la voiture de sport hybride anglo-américaine de Carroll Shelby. Ce faisant, le livre rappelle les étonnantes réussites de Shelby, de même que l'inestimable contribution de sa brillante équipe comprenant Phil Remington, Ken Miles, Peter Brock et de nombreux autres génies automobiles. Cet ouvrage enrichira la bibliothèque de tout passionné de Cobra, de Shelby, de compétition ou de tous ceux qui seront heureux de découvrir une belle "success story" américaine.

Shelby Cobra (1962-1969) - Brooklands Gold Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Shelby Cobra models from the years 1962-1969. Describes the Shelby Cobra 260, 289, 427, 427SC, BOSS 351, Daytona and Autokraft Mk IV.

• The 37 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

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Cobra Replicas (1980-2011) - The Essential Buyer's Guide

You might think a Cobra is an unattainable dream, and you'd be right. However, a replica that looks just like one and works rather better is not only attainable - it costs about the same as a Toyota. Iain Ayre has been reviewing, building and designing Cobra replicas for decades: there's nobody better to have in your pocket when you stop dreaming and start checking out buying or building one for real.

This book condenses all you need to know into 64 packed pages covering Cobra types - low, medium and high budgets - buying pitfalls - engine and donor recommendations - good and bad points. Pretty much everything you need to know to start scaring BMWs with budget V8 thunder.

Features:
- Benefit from the author's decades of reviewing, building and designing Cobra replicas
- The real facts you need when deciding whether a Cobra replica is for you
- Coverage of all UK models
- Where and how to buy a Cobra replica - whether to build or buy secondhand
- Advice on choosing the right type for your needs and your budget
- Key checks - how to spot a bad car quickly
- Comprehensive inspection guide
- In-depth analysis of strengths and weaknesses
- Discussion of upgrades as well as donor packages to avoid
- Details of club backup and support organizations.