The offspring of the union between American racer Carroll Shelby and English sports car maker AC, the Cobra mated the brawn of American Ford V8s with the agility of the John Tojeiro-designed AC Ace two-seater roadster.

Launched in 1962 and equipped with a variety of engines varying in size from the earliest 4.3 to the late 7-litre V8s, Cobras monstered race circuits, country lanes and freeways alike, becoming an automotive legend along the way – being blamed for the introduction of the 70mph speed limit in Britain when one was clocked at over 180mph on the new M1 motorway.

Since the demise of AC, a host of ‘homage’ Cobras have been offered – often completed to a very high standard – usually with composite bodies and with a range of V8 Ford or Chevrolet motive power giving the cars a tremendous power-to-weight ratio. First on the scene in the UK was the Essex-based family business of DJ Sportscars International with the Dax. One of the many to admire their workmanship was none other than John Tojeiro who became a director of the company in 1985.