281191086LF
1849
5000cc
manual
Blue
Black
Left-hand drive
Petrol
Vehicle location
Bonhams|Cars Online HQ, United Kingdom
--
Mark's review
Mark Livesey - Consignment Specialist
Message Mark
“ Excellent Example - Ready to Enjoy ”
This car has truly been a labour of love over the years and the use of the car has 
been enjoyed just as much as the build. Now being sold due to changing commitments and 
family responsibilities we’re sure the Python will continue to delight all who see it.

We estimate this vehicle to fetch between £20,000 - £25,000 in auction.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at Bonhams|Cars 
Online HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use 
the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make 
observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Vehicle Story
Unique Autocraft had their warehouse next to the DAX factory in Harlow, Essex in the 1980s 
where they made only one model, the Python. The Python was built in small numbers between 
1981 and 1993, it is believed that only around 99 were made, based on the AC Cobra, the steel 
chassis was stretched over a 92” wheelbase onto which the two-seater, open top body was fitted. 
Jaguars provided the suspension whilst either a V6 or V8 engine of different origin could be 
fitted depending on customer preference.

Unique Autocraft unfortunately went out of business in 1995 but they were revised and remade 
into ‘R.V.Dynamics’. They continued with the Python, using a ladder frame and multi-tubular 
chassis to take BMW 5 series components, manufacturing was moved to Sri-Lanka for cost purposes.

This car was one of the later models made and was destined for export hence it being left hand drive. 
It’s now back on home shores and ready for its new owner.
--
Paul's Classic Cars

Unique Autocraft
AC Cobra 427 replica

Year 1993

Ford 302 HO EFI engine, 5000 cc V8
Tremec 5-speed gearbox

Long chassis (+ 5 cm)
Electronic ignition
Injection
Front and rear disc brakes
Power brakes
Aluminum radiator
Electric fan
Stainless steel exhaust
Cobra cylinder head
covers 18″ aluminum wheels Roll
cage
Willans
harness Moto-Lita wooden steering
wheel Deflectors
Battery switch

2010: Complete engine overhaul
2009: New paint
2008: New gearbox, new clutch kit, new flywheel

LHD, original left hand drive, the car has travelled between the USA, Dubai and England

Full history available, purchase invoice, maintenance invoices, technical manuals, 
period advertising brochures etc.

Rare model, 99 copies produced from 1981 to 1993

Appraised in January 2024: €92,000

Sold with French classic registration document and technical inspection OK

Revised
6 month warranty

Visible by appointment only

Delivery possible throughout France

REF 1816

Technical data
Availability  
Sold
State  
Very good
Year  
1993
Cylinder capacity  
5.0 L
Gearbox  
Manual
Fuel  
Essence
Kind  
Convertible
Doors  
2
Int color  
Black
Color Ext  
Blue
States
Mechanics: Very good
Bodywork: Very good
Paint: Very good
Interior: Very good
Revision
Revised
Number of reports
5
Registration Card
French
Number of places
2
Vehicle warranty
6 months
  

AUTOMATIC

Unique Autocraft Cobra 

This absolutely stunning Cobra was built by Unique Autocraft in 1990 but correctly IVA/SVA registered 01/10/1999

30778 recorded miles from new with two loving owners .

Finished in beautiful classic silver coachwork

Detailed with Chrome bumpers, P700 Headlamps, Cobra badges, Flat bonnet, Stainless steel side vents, 
Stainless steel wipers, Wind deflectors, Sun visors, Chrome stone guards, 3 leg drivers roll bar, 
Chrome flip top fuel filler, Lucas L542 rear LED lights . 

15” Compomotive Hallibrand alloy wheels with black inserts , Faux aluminium spinners and B F Goodrich tyres.

Classic black leather interior with black carpets, Classic chrome fire extinguisher, 
Moto-lita wood rim steering wheel, Classic Smiths instruments and classic switches, Chrome hand brake, 
Willans harness seat belts, 

Powered by a 350ci / 5740cc High Output Chevrolet V8 , 355bhp / 405lbft spec, 4 bolt main, 
10:1 Compression .

Spec includes Chrome air filter, Edelbrock 4 barrel carburettor, Performance inlet manifold, 
Aluminium heads with larger inlet valves, Tubular exhaust headers, Uprated CAM, Aluminium pulleys, 
HEI Distributor , Polished aluminium rocker covers etc.

Automatic “Turbo 400” Gear box with B&M Holeshot torque converter and quick silver shifter .

Jaguar differential and brakes with coil over shock adjustable suspension .

Full wet weather equipment includes Hood, Solid side windows and Tonneau cover .

Excellent history file including factory build photos, Service receipts, MOTs , build receipts etc .

An absolute joy to drive with awesome performance
              

No known info at this time.
              

July 2025 - For sale on Pistonheads
AC Cobra Recreation by Unique Autocraft. An "Historic" Vehicle
Henley on Thames, United Kingdom.

Year: 1970
Mileage: 8K
Fuel: Petrol
Transmission: Manual
BHP: 350
Engine Size: 5.7L

Description

AC Cobra Recreation by Unique Autocraft. An "Historic" Vehicle
Chassis no. 210489047C
Registration no. EHJ 293H
Exterior: Dark Blue
Interior: Black
Mileage: 4950 on odometer
Engine size: 350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8

EHJ 293H is an historic car, based on jaguar parts from 1972
Unique Autocraft Cars were built in very small numbers in Harlow in Essex between 1981 and 1993, in total only around 99 were made. The only model made was a replica of the AC Cobra, the chassis was made of steel with a 92 inch wheelbase onto which an open two seater body was mounted, the model was known as The Python. The suspension came from Jaguar and they were built with a variety of V6 or V8 engines depending on customer preference.

This particular car was built and purchased from Unique Autocraft in 1989, first registered as UDG 682H, the donor car being a Jaguar XJ. It was fitted with a 350 cubic inch Chevrolet small block engine mated to a 4 speed manual gearbox, with Jaguar XJ front and rear suspension and drivetrain.

On 21.Feb.2000 the car was reregistered with DVLA as EHJ 293H.

From the box file of existing paperwork on the car there appear to be only 3 keepers in total

This example has been fitted with a brand new Chevy 350ci V8 engine supplied by British American Engines & has covered only 8000 miles since. Muncie 4 speed manual gearbox. Jaguar independent suspension, oil cooler, Smiths instruments, period switches. Moto-lita wood rim steering wheel, single hoop roll bar with third leg,15" Halibrand alloys with BF Goodrich tyres 235/60 Fr 295/50 Rr. Cobra over mats, polished fire extinguisher, stone guards, stainless bumpers, sun visors and wind deflectors, heater, harness seat belts, two previous owners the last one for 18 years.

Since 2018 when the most recent owner purchased the car, there has been no expense spared and a host of work has been carried out to make this car significantly improved. The upgrades include a gearbox rebuild, new clutch assembly fitted, new Edelbrock carburettor fitted and tuned, Avo fully adjustable shock absorbers custom made and fitted, and 2 new rear tyres.

The Bodywork is in great condition, having been recently resprayed by Carrozzeria, and then totally retrimmed inside, with new carpets and all leather work; so the car is absolutely stunning. There is a tonneau cover with Cobra branding on.

              

A question that's often asked by Cobra replica enthusiasts is which company produced the first '427' replica in the UK...well, it's not that easy to answer that one. Definitely Paul Banham was sticking Cobra bodies on Triumph TR4s in the late seventies, bodies he bought, I think from Gerry Hawkridge...who probably was the first to create a Cobra replica shape...

Commercially though, it was a very close run thing between Dave Perry (he imported Steve Arntz bodies from America), Metaline, Beribo Replica Automobiles (using Gerry's bodies!), Unique Autocraft and DJ Sportscars, the latter two coincidentally located very close to each other in Harlow, Essex, although quite un-related.

DJ, who at the time, produced nail-on spoilers and body panels in glassfibre had been supplying a German customer with basic Cobra bodies. One day he didn't turn up to collect a consignment so their then sales manager, Adrian Cocking (the man who coined the 'DAX' name by the way, after a character in a Harold Robbins novel he was reading!), persuaded DJ boss, Brian Johns, to produce a 'proper' kit....a small ad in Exchange & Mart to get rid of the German bodies, and suggesting that they were doing their own kit, resulted in so many post cards in response that the sacks filled a couple of Royal Mail vans.

Fact.......the rest as they say, is history. Here's early eighties shots of DAX Cobra and Unique Autocraft Python, the latter pictured at Castle Combe in, I think, 1985 and featuring rear suspension that is properly loaded up judging by the stance of the car. If that's the corner I think it is, the line the driver took could have ended in tears...

              

We've seen photos of this car in Red and Metallic Sky Blue. (The blue looks best.) Daniel?
              

No known information.
              

No known information.
              

No known information.
              

No known information.
              

No known information.
              

Howard: Newcastle upon Tyne
A 'longer term' Python Roadster owner. 
Unique Autocraft fully built mine through 1987/88. Delivered it for me to Newcastle upon Tyne early January 1989.

Photos from Early Jan 2025 and at the Corbridge show August.
              

Germany.
This very well travelled example was built by its owner Nigel Brackenbury in 1991 using a rebuilt Chevrolet 5.7 liter engine with a Turbo 350 Automatic Transmission with a Quick Shift kit installed.

Over the years the car been progressively upgraded with the installation of a new GM ZZ4 5.7 liter high performance crate engine in 1998, followed with a conversion to a Tremec TR3450 5 speed manual transmission in 2001.  Halibrand Replica 16“ wheels from Image Wheels have replaced the 15“ versions of the same rims that had been installed when new, to enable a wider choice of more modern tyres.  Brakes have also been upgraded with the installation of cross-drilled ventilated discs at the front, and a ventilated disc conversion kit (typically used in racing E-Types) installed at the rear to address the tendency of the standard non-ventilated inboard discs to overheat when used severely at track days.  The original Triumph brake servo has also been replaced with a Ford Escort Mk5 item.  Polyflex suspension bushes have also been installed throughout.  Finally the chassis has been modified and strengthened with the addition of struts running forward from the top of the cage to which the rear axle mounts, and attaching alongside the gearbox.  This same modification also included a sturdy hoop that runs over the top of the propshaft as additional security in case one of the universal joints should ever fail, and the addition of a large access hatch to the rear bulkhead to make brake and suspension servicing easier.

The car was trimmed in black leather, Wilton carpet and a Mohair hood and tonneau by Neils Auto Interiors in Essex and it still looks good today over 30 years and 80,000 kms later.

It has been registered in the UK (twice), Germany (four times) and Japan (once) as Nigel moved around with his work.  Additionally since 2009 he‘s been a regular participant in the Europan Cobra Meetings, and consequently they’ve also visited France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, The Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Italy and Spain.  

With very best regards,

Nigel Brackenbury