Many petrolheads with a treasure trove of rose-tinted glasses will explain that sports cars in the 1960s were among the most desirable ever built. Take for example the Lotus Elan, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Porsche’s 911 and the Lamborghini Miura. And then, of course, there was the AC Cobra.

Or Backdraft Cobra, since we recently nicked this example from our old mate Jordon Grogor.

In the early 1960s, with his racing career now done, the late great Carroll Shelby had an idea. First, with the help of British-based AC Cars, take a Bristol-designed AC Ace and chuck out the 4-cylinder 2.6l engine. Next, modify the chassis to incorporate a Ford V8 to create a track-weapon for the road. Finally, ship examples back to America and across Europe, and watch the money roll in.

A sound plan. The looks of the Cobra, after all, were very much of the time, and would surely appeal to fans of the voluptuous Jaguar E-Type. The Cobra: a sleek and agile roadster, but at the same time, a ripped American brute; subtly flared wheel arches meet bonnet scoop and side-mounted chrome exhausts. All this plus 380hp power? Examples would walk out of the showroom, surely.