![AC Cobra classic car at Goodwood Motor Circuit, West Sussex Classic & Sports Car – Rare AC Cobra added to Concours of Elegance line-up](/sites/default/files/styles/article/public/2024-08/Classic-%26-Sports-Car-AC-Cobra-Concours-Elegance-02.png?itok=ZYAMxDEw)
An early, competition-focused AC Cobra will be one of the stars at this summer’s Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace.
The event returns to the Grade I-listed building’s Great Fountain Garden from 30 August-1 September.
This AC will join an exotic selection of classic cars vying for the coveted Best in Show trophy.
Classic & Sports Car readers can get 20% off tickets with our exclusive offer by using the code 24CSC at the checkout, here.
Plus, with this code, if you’re coming to Concours of Elegance in a pre-1990 classic car, be sure to claim your free pre-’90 parking pass and join like-minded enthusiasts in a dedicated car park.
![The AC Cobra 427 Competition in the 1966 Targa Florio Classic & Sports Car – Rare AC Cobra added to Concours of Elegance line-up](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Classic-%26-Sports-Car-AC-Cobra-Concours-Elegance-04.png)
The AC Cobra 427 Competition during the 1966 Targa Florio; it crashed out after one lap
So, what makes this AC Cobra so special?
Carroll Shelby decided to shoehorn Ford’s 500bhp-plus 427cu in motor in the AC Ace-based Cobra 289 to go racing.
Unfortunately, the American team boss and driver was denied entry to the Group 3 category because not enough homologation cars were produced.
In all, 53 AC Cobra 427 Competition models were built, including 23 ready-to-race examples.
![The AC Cobra 427 Competition races at the Nürburgring in 1966 Classic & Sports Car – Rare AC Cobra added to Concours of Elegance line-up](/sites/default/files/2024-08/Classic-%26-Sports-Car-AC-Cobra-Concours-Elegance-05.png)
At the Nürburgring in ’66, where this AC Cobra completed 32 of the race’s 44 laps