<Tr> <Th> Curb weight </Th> <Td> 2,355 lb (1,068 kg) </Td> </Tr> <P> The AC Cobra, sold as the Shelby Cobra in the United States of America, is an Anglo - American sports car with a Ford V8 engine, produced intermittently in both the UK and United States of America since 1962 . </P> <P> Like many British manufacturers, AC Cars had been using the Bristol straight - 6 engine in its small - volume production, including its AC Ace two - seater roadster . This had a hand - built body with a steel tube frame, and aluminium body panels that were made using English wheeling machines . The engine was a pre-World War II design by BMW which by the 1960s was considered dated . Bristol decided in 1961 to cease production of its engine and instead to use Chrysler 313 cu in (5.1 L) V8 engines . AC started using the 2.6 litre Ford Zephyr engine in its cars . </P> <P> In September 1961, American automotive designer Carroll Shelby wrote to AC asking if they would build him a car modified to accept a V8 engine . AC agreed, provided a suitable engine could be found . Shelby went to Chevrolet to see if they would provide him with engines, but not wanting to add competition to the Corvette they said no . However, Ford wanted a car that could compete with the Corvette and they happened to have a brand new engine which could be used in this endeavor: the Windsor 221 in3 (3.6 L) engine--a new lightweight, thin - wall cast small - block V8 . Ford provided Shelby with two engines . </P>

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