Performance Review: AC Cobra 427 - [1966]

Figures & Specs Summary:

AC Cobra Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the AC Cobra 427 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp and the 1967 Ford GT 40.This particular AC Cobra has a 7000cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Cobra shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cobra's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1147 kgs (2528 lbs) this makes the AC Cobra 427 in the same weight category as the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The AC Cobra shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 7000cc 16V V8 engine produces 410 bhp (305 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 482 lb-ft (653.5 Nm) @ 3700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the AC Cobra you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1997 TVR Cerbera 4.5 (381.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the AC Cobra.

The AC Cobra has a Power to weight ratio of 357.4 bhp per ton and 420.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1966 Cobra competing with the 1997 TVR Cerbera 4.5 (381.8 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren (381.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the AC Cobra generating around 420.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (444.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2018 Ferrari 488 Pista 3.9 V8 Turbo (443.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.3 secs, this made the AC Cobra 427 as fast as the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.20 secs) the or the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (4.20 secs). This AC Cobra 427 is also faster than the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cobra and the 2000 Subaru Impreza P1 - Classic

When talking about the performance of the AC Cobra on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.57 secs @ 118.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2000 Subaru Impreza P1 - Classic (11.52 secs), the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda 440 (11.53 secs), and the 2007 Subaru Impreza RB320 - Hawkeye (11.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1966 version of the AC Cobra 427 has a maximum speed of 165mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 Cobra equals the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (176 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1966 AC Cobra 427 then how about the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (176 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio 2.9 V6 Bi Turbo (176 mph), or the 2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 4.8 V8 (176 mph).

Related Links:

1966 Cobra Rivals List.

A Brief History of AC

Car Comparison