2009 Autocraft Python

This car has quite the back story to tell, originally bought in 1992 by Canadian Alan Longstaff in Oman who was building the car whilst working in the aviation industry. Alan eventually left to go back to Canada, but before leaving, he moved the car to a warehouse in Dubai to finalise the build. Alan wanted to bring the car back to Canada but due to import laws he had to fulfil certain criteria which meant registering the car in his name for a certain time before import.

All while this was happening the current owner was on the lookout for a Cobra replica whilst out in Dubai themselves. After researching how to bring one into the country, a chance meeting with the Dubai vehicle registration office where the current owner asked if he could bring one of these replicas into the country, the person they were speaking to knew of the car you see before you.

Alan and the current owner were put in contact with each other, and a deal was struck. So, the year is now 2008 and the Cobra replica had been sat for a long time unused in a warehouse as Alan was out of the country. The current owner set about recommissioning the car which snowballed into them pretty much rebuilding the entire thing again during a 2-year period.

The car was then used for around an 8-year period until it was imported back to the UK in 2018. The car was registered in 2019 and that’s when the UK documents and MOTs start. Not satisfied with building a car, the current owner set their heights a bit higher with building a house and during that time the car has been garage stored and rarely used as there are grandchildren on the scene now demanding much of the current owner’s time and energy.

The current owner knows this car inside and out and has kept a lot of the paperwork from its history and the file also comes with some wonderful period photos of the car being assembled. We’ll go into more depth in the following sections as to the various sections and parts of the car.

To the uninformed, kit cars might be cause for some trepidation however anyone looking over this Cobra replica would be in no doubt that it has been built with the utmost of care and attention. It has resulted in a high level of quality all-round the car and the body is no exception.

First to mention is the wheel and tyre package, the owner reports that the larger 18” wheels were chosen as it did have 15” ones fitted beforehand but getting good quality tyres for 15” wheels in Dubai proved to be quite difficult. Now shod with ever reliable Michelin Pilot Super Sports, which look to have plenty of tread and life left in them, the 18” certainly suit the look of the car.

All body panels and shut lines look to be straight, tight, and uniform which speaks highly of the quality of the kit initially and the build it has undergone. You’d be hard pressed to find a ding, scuff, or mark worthy of note on the body and the car has clearly been loved during its time with the current owner.

All brightwork, glass, lights and badges are all in good condition too, all well presented in our photo gallery below. The Python is an excellent representation of the AC Cobra and will certainly turn heads like one, the private plate is the cherry on top too.

There isn’t a huge amount of interior in the Python but what is there only adds to the appeal of the car. Black leather seats are the main attraction here and are indeed new as a replacement for the tan covered ones, the colour of which the current owner wasn’t a fan of.

The tan leather upholstery does cover the door cards and dash however and is in great condition, if it were to get damage in the future however, the owner has kindly thrown in a whole hide of the same-coloured leather.

The dash is in great condition and the dials are all labelled with ‘Autocraft’ which is a nice touch and adds to the feel that the kit car company cared about the final product. Everything is reported to be working in the cabin, like the rest of the car, and the main touch points all have minimal wear, including the wood rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel.

The cabin in the Python is nicely finished and focused, you can imagine it to be the perfect cockpit in which to really get the most out of the car.

The Python has had a 1989 Ford Mustang 5.0L HO V8 engine which has been rebuilt since the current owner pulled it out of the warehouse in Dubai. It has had the head skimmed, the crank reworked, and various other fettling which should all be present in the paperwork. As well as the internal work, the block has been repainted to silver as the current owner preferred it over the Ford blue. Since it’s rebuild, the owner reports it to only have done around 800 miles but the electronic ignition among other upgrades means it starts well even after sitting for some time.

The chassis is the longer version which is believed to be around 2” longer than the original meaning those of a taller position may find this car far more comfortable. On the subject of chassis, you’ll notice that the Python doesn’t have the calf burning side pipes but instead has a rear exit exhaust which is cleverly routed around the chassis to keep it as high as possible.

Anything running gear is brand new, the owner tells us, and the car has a Tremex 5-speed manual box instead of the automatic the unit came with. As a result, a new ECU has been added and the brakes and suspension are from a Jaguar XJS which again are all new.

With so many new parts, you’d expect the underside to be very clean, and it is, it looks exceptionally clean underneath and as the owner says, all driveline components are new which should mean that this car will last a long time to come.

The current owner has kept all the original manuals for the car as well as the manuals for the different parts fitted such as the engine and drivetrain. The current MOT is valid until 20.06.2023 and the Python comes with one key.

Among the extensive stacks of paperwork there are some photos of the car being assembled in Dubai as well as the Unique Autocraft VIN plate. The paper trail also includes the UK documents from 2019 onwards and as the car has only had two owners, much of its active history with the current owner, all invoices, receipts, and forms have been neatly kept evidencing the work completed.

We’d highly recommend looking through the photo gallery for all the history and should you be interested and able, we’d welcome you booking a viewing where you can read through it with us here at our HQ.

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’.