LE MANS (July 6, 2023) –

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the AC Cobra’s class win in 1963, as an official partner of Le Mans Classic 2023 AC Cars gave the sensational new AC Cobra GT Roadster its first public appearance. 

With original Cobras competing for honours on the track over the weekend, AC Cars wowed the crowd in the Le Mans Classic Village with a pole-position display of the cutting-edge new sports car running day and night.

To mark the occasion AC Cars displayed Edition 63, an exclusive model available only to the first clients ordering a GT Roadster. Limited to just 63 examples, which are now allocated, Edition 63 retains a unique bodywork and trim configuration along with an exhaustive specification to mark the AC Cobra’s class win at The 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1963.

With the AC Cars stand also featuring a pristine example of one of the company’s previous cars, the display of the AC Cobra GT Roadster Edition 63 allowed the manufacturer team to discuss the new car with customers and fans alike, and allow buyers the chance to experience the unique design and construction first-hand.

“To be here with our new model, and share in the celebrations at the Le Mans Classic has been amazing. The original AC Cobra is a car of legend, and it has been a delight to show its rightful heir to such amazing reception. Once again, the feedback from everyone seeing the car has been overwhelmingly positive and, with the first run of cars now allocated, we will be moving forward with our expansion throughout 2023 as we gear up for the first deliveries next year.”

David Conza, Chief Executive Officer of AC Cars

AC Cobra GT Roadster
The sensational new AC Cobra GT Roadster is a modern sports car, produced using the latest technology and engineering processes, yet it remains faithful to the spirit of the AC Cobra of the 1960s.

Significantly larger than the original AC Cobra, the new GT Roadster’s thoroughly modern ergonomics means the car’s cabin accommodates drivers well over six-feet tall, while the car utilises modern drivetrain and control technologies to validate its grand tourer credentials.

Available in both left and right-hand drive and powered by a thunderous 5.0-litre V8, delivering up to 663PS, the unique car features a novel extruded aluminum spaceframe chassis and carbon-composite bodywork to deliver a remarkable driving experience in a highly limited-production vehicle. 

The new roadster is the result of a multi-million Euro investment sustained over nearly four years. Intended to be both beautiful and usable as a sports car, it remains in a class of its own. Once underway, just 250 examples of the GT Roadster are expected to be built for worldwide markets every full year.

The new AC Cobra is available to clients worldwide, and customers can find more information, schedule a personal consultation with a member of the team, and even order their new AC Cobra GT Roadster, at accobra.com or via email info@accars.eu.

AC Cars and Le Mans 1963
Sponsored by The Sunday Times and managed by Stirling Moss, AC built two bespoke AC Cobra Mk2s for the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was the first time the car would compete in the famous French endurance race.

One was entered by AC Cars itself, with drivers Ninian Sanderson and Peter Bolton behind the wheel, while the other came from Ed Hugus, who had run the car’s race development in America, sharing the drive with Brit Peter Jopp.

Despite strong competition, from far more experienced race teams, AC Cars triumphed and the AC Cobra of British duo of Sanderson and Bolton finished first in class and seventh overall.

For its first race the AC Cobra proved a tough customer, covering 2592 miles at an average speed of 108mph and touching 160mph on the Mulsanne Straight. It also managed to finish some 27 laps ahead of its nearest rival in its class, and legend has it was driven home to the UK after the race was run.

Here started the legend of the AC Cobra as a force to be reckoned with on the racetrack.