A storied 1966 AC Cobra with a race pedigree stretching back to the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans will go under the hammer this month, where it could achieve as much as US$2.7 million (A$4.14 million).
The 4.7-litre two-seat competition hardtop coupé will be offered through Bonhams|Cars at its Goodwood Revival sale on 13 September.
The model represents one of the most iconic collaborations in automotive history, the partnership between Britain’s AC Cars and American racer-turned-entrepreneur Carroll Shelby.
According to Bonhams, the Cobra on offer - chassis No. CS 2131 - is among only five right-hand drive Cobras built before November 1963, and one of just two prepared to race at Le Mans that year.
Driven by Ninian Sanderson and Peter Bolton for the AC Cars factory team, it proved a tough customer, covering 2,592 miles at an average speed of 108 mph and touching 160 mph on the Mulsanne Straight. It finished seventh overall and first in its class.
The car later passed to John Willment Automobiles Ltd., competing at Goodwood, Silverstone and Nürburgring, before being rebuilt with a new body in 1966 and re-registered as “13 COB”.
Under Martin Colvill’s ownership, it achieved 12 outright victories and 44 class wins in more than 100 races.
Since 2000, the Cobra has belonged to its current owner, participating in prestigious historic events including the Modena Centro Ore and Le Mans Classic.
In September 2024, Neil Bainbridge of BS Motorsport conducted forensic analysis of the chassis stamp, confirming “beyond doubt it reads ‘CS 2131’”, establishing its direct link to Le Mans.
Now restored to its Bell & Colvill racing configuration, the Cobra features a 440 hp 4.7-litre Hi-Po V-8 engine.
“The Bell & Colvill Cobra, ‘13 COB’ embodies all that today’s discerning collector/driver seeks—period originality, eligibility, very long-term responsible and discerning ownership, contemporary design, and perhaps above all—wins . . .” Mark Osborne, global director of motorsport for Bonhams|Cars, told Robb Report.
“With originality and period-correct prep increasingly vital at Historic racing’s most prestigious events, ‘13 COB’ stands ideal for Historic Le Mans, the Goodwoods, and other such eligible premier-league events.”
