Replica Shelby AC Cobra Heads to Pickles Auction Australia

Some cars are bought with spreadsheets, a Shelby Cobra is bought with the heart. Even in replica form, the Cobra remains one of the most recognisable shapes in performance motoring, a 1960s fever dream of big-bore grunt stuffed into a featherweight British chassis. A 2004-build example is now headed to auction through Pickles, offering that same blend of theatre and thunder without the seven-figure price tag attached to genuine 1960s originals.

Where the Cobra legend began

The AC Cobra story starts in the early 60s, when Texan racer Carroll Shelby convinced AC Cars in Britain to supply their lithe Ace roadster minus an engine. Shelby then shoehorned in a Ford V8, first a 260 and later the fearsome 289 and 427 units. The result was a compact roadster that could outrun almost anything of its era. Motor Trend once described it as a “guided missile with number plates”, a phrase that still feels accurate.

Original Cobras are museum pieces today, but their template became the basis for hundreds of licensed and unlicensed replicas. Australia embraced the format in the 90s and 2000s, helped by kit-car regulations and the ready availability of Ford’s small-block V8s. Many local builds focused on weekend driving rather than concours perfection, giving them a charm all their own.

This particular car

The example heading to auction is a circa-2004 Shelby AC Cobra replica finished in green over beige leather. It shows just 2,547 kilometres, suggesting a car used sparingly since completion. Power comes from a naturally aspirated 302 cubic inch Ford V8 paired with a manual transmission, the classic drivetrain combo for Cobra recreations.

The condition report notes minor scratches across the body, small dents to the front bumper bar and boot lid, and some missing or damaged interior trim on the driver’s door. None of these are structural concerns but they will matter to buyers chasing pristine presentation. There is no service history and no owner’s manual, something common among kit-built cars where paperwork often travels separately to the vehicle or is never produced at all.

The VIN, 6T9P01V974001X020, follows Australia’s Individually Constructed Vehicle (ICV) format. These builds typically combine newly made chassis components with donor drivetrains, making paperwork and compliance inspections a key step in the registration journey. This example is sold unregistered, so buyers should factor in the engineering and compliance process required in their state or territory if they intend to return it to the road.

Inside, the beige leather trim brings a gentler tone to what is otherwise a very loud car. Cobras are famously elemental. Two seats, two doors, a big motor up front and not much else. It is an experience roadster, designed for sunny afternoons and empty highways rather than school-run duties.

How replicas sit in today’s market

Replica Cobras have a broad value spectrum influenced by build quality, engineering certificates, and component choices. Cars using Ford’s small-block 302 engines tend to sit in the middle of the pack. Recent Australian sales often land between 45,000 and 80,000 dollars for tidy, registered examples, while unfinished or unregistered cars can fall below that. High-end replicas from makers like Factory Five or Robnell can push past 120,000 dollars.

This 2004 example, with light cosmetic wear and no registration, will likely appeal to the mechanical hobbyist who wants a summer toy without concours anxiety. A bit of tidying would significantly lift its presentation.

Auction details

The car forms part of Pickles’ National Classic Cars and Motoring Collectibles Online Auction.

View Auction

Date: Friday 12/12/2025 12:00pm – Tuesday 16/12/2025 8:00pm AEDT.

As always, potential buyers are encouraged to inspect the vehicle in person and review all compliance documents.

For anyone who has ever dreamt of owning a Cobra, this is a relatively attainable entry point into one of the most iconic silhouettes in automotive history. It may not have Carroll Shelby’s signature on the dash, but it promises the same basic recipe: big engine, light body, open sky and a driving experience that grabs you by the collar and insists you pay attention.