Gimme Shelter

From the July / August 2010 issue of The Car Room Magazine

The AC Cars Group is one of oldest auto manufacturers in the UK, dating back to 1903. After WWII AC cars used Bristol engines, ultimately switching to Ford Zephyr power in 1961. A year later, Carroll Shelby convinced them to try the small block Ford V-8 in their sports cars. And thus, after many structural chassis enhancements (and a much-needed set of wider tires), was born the AC Cobra.

Ed Hugos, a veteran driver at Le Mans, entered an AC Cobra in the 1963 race, co-driving the car with Britain’s Peter Jopp as part of a team managed by the legendary Stirling Moss. The car, number 4, wore a special aerodynamic roof, and finished 23rd, retiring after 127 laps.

Spark Models has produced an outstandingly accurate version of this car in American racing colors - white with blue stripes. The numbers are all properly positioned, and every small trim item appears on the model including knock-off hubs, a mid-hood air deflector, front splash shields, roof lights and a roof-mounted fuel cap (complete to the filler tube, seen through the rear window). The black interior and chassis are also well detailed. The model appears ready to go racing; maybe it’ll do better this time around. A great model for Le Mans and Cobra fans. Recommended. - CRM

1963 Cobra Le Mans No. 4, item SPA-431184, $54.00. www.minichampsna.com

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