• This is a proper factory-built car, one of only two. Only 22,024 miles
• At the time of production, this was the fastest accelerating production car to 100mph ever produced
• The 2000 British International Motor Show car and AC press car
• Featured in Evo, Octane and Top Gear magazines. Appeared on ‘Top Gear TV’ driven by Jeremy Clarkson along with Mark Blundell and Damon Hill
• Carbon fibre body - the largest one piece carbon fibre moulding in the motor industry at the time
• 3.5-litre, 350bhp, twin-turbocharged, Lotus V8 with a Tremec 6-speed gearbox
• Factory hard top, right-hand drive and accompanied by a huge history file
• Rarity, performance, provenance and high quality are all on this car’s CV. Perhaps an unrepeatable opportunity?

According to the original AC advert for this special car, ‘AC Car Group Limited created the AC Cobra 212 S/C as the evolution of the legendary 427 S/C, which dominated the 1960’s and has been continuously bult to order. The 212 S/C was built on the legend of the 427’s awesome performance by combining iconic styling with 21st century technologies and ,materials to meet targets set by ultimate sports roadsters’.

Factory-built back in the year 2000 this particular car features a 3.5-litre 350bhp twin-turbocharged Lotus V8 engine, mated to a full carbon fibre body which was the largest one-piece construction of its type in the motor industry at that time. This specification led AC to claim it to be - at the time - the fastest accelerating production car to 100mph ever produced. The result was a power-to-weight ratio of 390bhp/tonne and a 0-60mph time of 4.0 seconds, with 100mph coming up in 9. Top speed was 155mph. Power reached the ground via a six-speed Tremec gearbox and BTR Hydratrack limited-slip differential, while other noteworthy features included power steering as standard and AP Racing dual-circuit servo-assisted disc brakes all round. With its title coming from its engine capacity in cubic inches and the 'S/C' standing for 'Street/Competition', only two of these cars were ever produced and the right-hand drive example we have has an illustrious history. ‘X577 HRD’ featured for AC at the 2000 British International Motor Show, indeed it’s early life was served as the press car for AC and it was featured by Car Magazine, Evo, Octane and Top Gear magazines. It also made an appearance on the Top Gear television show and was driven by Jeremy Clarkson, Mark Blundell and Damon Hill along with a further appearance on Jeremy Clarkson’s video ‘Top 100 Cars’.

Pleasingly accompanied by a factory hard top, wet-weather equipment and the interior features the additions of a CD Player and full intercom, with headsets and microphones. The seats were retrimmed within the last 4 years in the correct grade of Alcantara. As you would expect of a car of this significance, this AC is accompanied by a fully documented history which contains its original build information, press cuttings, and a plethora of invoices for work carried out over the years. Furthermore, as you can see from the pictures ‘X577 HRD’ also features in Trevor Legate’s book  "Cobra. The first 40 Years" and the vendor has generously included a copy with the car. The current indicated mileage is 22,024.

All things considered, Silverstone Auctions are extremely proud to offer such an interesting piece of British Automotive history to the market. Everything is on tap here, rarity, provenance, performance and high quality. Given this is perhaps an unrepeatable opportunity, we welcome and encourage interested parties to book an appointment to come and see the car either at our storage facility before the sale or during the Silverstone Classic weekend itself.