AC Cobra: The Complete Story [Paperback]

Brian Laban (Author)

Book Description

Series: Complete Story | Publication Date: January 25, 1997

A detailed technical analysis of the extraordinary AC Cobra and the compelling story of the people and events behind its creation. Contains a complete history of the AC Cobra, mini-biographies of the men behind the car, road tests, specifications, buying and restoration advice.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Laban is a well-known U.K based motoring writer and author of numerous books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Crowood (January 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 186126013X
• ISBN-13: 978-1861260130
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #732,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Factually complete, nice pictures, but dull., January 15, 1999

By 

Miles Ellis([e-mail]) (Dawson, GA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AC Cobra: The Complete Story (Paperback)

This is a great book if you love the subject, but it gets tedious at times. Good information about the heroes and the villains (Ferrari), especially the early days with Carroll Shelby. However, the endless recital of race results gets boring. Only one chapter about the Daytona Coupe. Wraps-up nicely with a "where are they now" section. I would have liked more about the races and the drivers who built the Cobra legend. Still, if you love Cobras and like to drool over pictures of the original cars, this book is for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great detailed history of AC Cars and the Cobra's origins, January 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: AC Cobra: The Complete Story (Paperback)

I loved this book! Ok, so I'm a diehard Cobra enthusiast, but I found the details of AC Cars' history to be fascinating. There are also excellent details about Carroll Shelby and how the deal came together between Ford, AC Cars, and his own fledgling company, Shelby American.

The perspective is more from the British side than that of most other Cobra books I've read, which tend to focus on the American side. As a result, there are fascinating details which were new to me, such as the fact that the AC Ace chassis was based on a sports racing car design by John Tojeiro, and this was the chassis which was used for the 289 series of Cobras. And that the Ace's Bristol engine was based on a prewar BMW design, whose tooling and drawings were handed over to the British as part of WWI reparations.

Also, AC continued making Cobras after Shelby went out of the Cobra business, and there were some 30 Cobras built for the European market with the 427's coil-spring chassis - and sexy body - but with the small-block 289 engine ... much like the replica my brother and I built last summer!

Great stuff! I only wish there had been more pictures.

3.0 out of 5 stars The story of the sports car, October 24, 2010

By 

Filloleau - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: AC Cobra: The Complete Story (Paperback)

Brian Laban kwon very well the story of Carroll Shelby and of course AC COBRA. Many details and wonderful pictures in this book one of my preferred. If you like sports car you will be enjoy with this book.