How to Buy a Used AC Cobra?

Buying a Used AC Cobra ERA 427: A Complete Guide to Avoiding Mistakes

Buying a used AC Cobra ERA 427 is an exciting but complex project. Between faithful replicas, engine configurations, chassis differences, and the risks associated with poorly maintained vehicles, having reliable information is essential before taking the plunge.

The purpose of this guide is to explain how to properly choose an AC Cobra ERA 427 by covering the key points to check before purchase: authenticity of the ERA replica, Ford 427 Side Oiler engine or equivalent, chassis quality, maintenance, mechanical reliability, and resale value.

Whether you are a collector, an American car enthusiast, or a lover of historic mechanical engineering, this guide will help you understand the essential criteria for buying a used AC Cobra ERA 427 with confidence.

The Price of an AC Cobra 427

The first criterion, as always, is the price. I invite you to refer to the page “The Price of AC Cobras in USA in 2026.”

In France/USA Legislation Comes First — It Is Critical

French legislation no longer takes the Cobra lightly. It can currently be driven only as a collector vehicle. All AC Cobra replicas registered with standard registration documents showing a first registration date around 1965 are fraudulent, as they were imported before 2017 using paperwork that does not correspond to their actual manufacturing dates.

A good used Cobra must be at least 30 years old from its factory build date in order to be eligible, through the FFVE, for the coveted official certification.

This notably excludes CSX Continuation models, Superformance, Backdraft, Factory Five, and other Kirkham cars, whose first delivered examples date from the mid-1990s or even the early 2000s. Even the FFVE was misled in past decades by U.S. documents stamped 1965. A regulatory tightening is currently underway, and it could have serious consequences.

⚠️In the United States, the legal status of AC Cobra replicas and kit cars is generally more permissive than in Europe, but it varies by state.

At the federal level, kit cars and replicas are not subject to modern crash or emissions standards because they are not mass-produced vehicles. Instead, regulation is handled primarily at the state level.

Most states allow Cobras to be registered either as assembled vehicles, specially constructed vehicles, or replica vehicles. The year assigned to the car is often the year of assembly or, in some states, the model year it replicates (typically 1965–1967).

Emissions requirements depend on state law: many states exempt replicas from emissions testing entirely, while others apply standards based on the engine year rather than the build year. This makes classic V8 engines relatively easy to register.

Safety requirements are usually minimal and may include basic lighting, mirrors, seat belts, and a windshield. Airbags, ABS, and modern crash compliance are generally not required.

States such as California, through SB100, offer a specific legal pathway for registering replica Cobras with limited annual slots. Other states like Florida, Texas, and Arizona are particularly kit-car friendly.

As a result, AC Cobra replicas are widely owned, legally driven, and openly traded in the U.S., making the American market one of the most active and accessible for kit cars worldwide.

Choosing the Brand and Model

Rest assured, even setting aside the previous list, you should still have access to around fifty different brands. This choice will depend on the engine, gearbox, body shape, overall condition, aura, or color.

You will find the main replica manufacturers listed here.

Then comes the choice between a 289 or a 427—ultimately a matter of personal taste. See the photo above…

The best remaining “legal” Cobras are ERA, HTM, Contemporary, Unique, and similar brands.

Engine and Gearbox

A major debate! If you want the ultimate setup, it will be a Ford FE big-block V8 427 or possibly a 428 CJ. If you are aiming for a lower budget, you might opt for a small-block such as a 302 or 351. Then come Chevrolet V8s, Rover V8s, V6 engines, and others.

As for the gearbox, I will pass over the sacrilege of automatic transmissions. If you want to stay true to the original spirit, the choice is the 4-speed Top Loader. However, there are many other 4- or 5-speed gearboxes available, such as the Tremec TKO or TKX. This will depend on your engine, your differential ratio, and what you plan to do with the car.

Matching-numbers engine and gearbox—or not?

From Whom and Where?

Whether buying from a professional or a private individual, the level of risk is often similar. Some private owners who carefully maintain their cars may offer something far better than a professional operating on a consignment basis. If you have doubts, hiring an expert in classic American cars to accompany you during the inspection is highly recommended. In any case, luck always plays its part.

Then comes the question: France or the U.S.? It all depends on your priorities. If you want something quick, buy in France; if you are prepared for a longer process, look to the United States. The selection there is vast, but you will need to choose your importer very carefully—and have patience forged from steel.

Condition

Whether gleaming or dusty, worn out or like new, the question—closely tied to price—inevitably arises. Everything will depend on your mechanical skills or on your budget to have the car properly taken care of by a professional.

If you work on your AC Cobra yourself, don’t hesitate to browse U.S. sites such as Summit or JEGS for parts. The selection is vast and the quality is generally excellent.

In the final pages of the site, you will find a fairly comprehensive list of websites dedicated to Cobras and spare parts.

The Buying Method

Fixed price or auctions such as those on BaT. Browse listings in France and in the U.S. using English terminology and the right keywords. Personally, my importer found my AC Cobra 427 at a fixed price from a dealer, but the auction route can be very attractive in terms of price—and quite fun as well.

You will find all the relevant websites in the final pages under: “AC Cobra Websites.”

Overall, these are the main questions to consider before buying a used AC Cobra.