AC Cobra

The company Autocarriers produces in its first years three-wheel vehicles and since 1913 four-wheeled. These are for many years equipped with increasingly more powerful four-and later six-cylinders. Continuous development bring the cars to exceptional power to weight ratio. The preliminary peak of the work is winning the Rallye Monte Carlo 1926.
Except after the company AC, the Cobra is named after the racing driver Carroll Shelby, winning after a rather changeful career for the first time the 24 hours at Le Mans 1959. In 1966, he is involved on the victory of the Ford GT 40, supplied the Cobra after engines from 63 kW (85 hp) to 125 kW (170 HP) finally the first Ford V8.
The popularity probably comes from the combination of an English roadster with very powerful American engines and the out of it resulting race successes, including a fourth place at the 24 hours at Le Mans. The sales success keep within - by difficulties in production, too - limits. Over the years less than 1000 be built.