2001 Pilgrim Sumo

This Mark 3 Sumo Cobra was supplied in kit form to its first owner in 2001, a talented fellow we suspect as he built a truly lovely car.

The donor car was none other than a 1989 Ford Sierra Sapphire.

Firepower is supplied by a trusty Rover V8, an engine that has provided sterling service in many a kit car and even such respected sports car brands as TVR.

Documents confirming the both the donor car and engine are included in our pictures.

The Sumo Cobra boasts a slick five-speed gearbox, a side piped exhaust, with Halibrand wheels completing the look.

Most importantly, the car boasts full SVA approval and hence wears the registration number of the donor car and not a much inferior ‘Q’ plate.

There is also a manual detailing the construction process and a detailed parts list.

We are told the Cobra has just had two owners since construction and it recently passed into the hands of our seller, as it was not getting the use it deserved.

With summer around the corner, what could be nicer than blasting down a country lane, with that lovely V8 soundtrack as a tuneful accompaniment.

What a stunning and head-turning car! The blue paintwork positively sparkles and the acres of chrome gleam in the sunlight. Examine the extensive collection of photographs if you don’t believe us.

It presents really well, and we can tell that the owners have clearly loved and cherished the car. The MOT history shows modest miles covered during its twenty-year life, so it has undoubtedly been a car for high days and holidays. If it were ours, we would be tempted to drive it every day.

The Halibrand wheels are in good order and the tyres have plenty of tread.

There is a full black tonneau cover for those occasions when you may need to leave the car unattended outdoors. It adds a little to the security of the car, but most importantly will keep the elements at bay.

We would be tempted to remove the front number plate and substitute a bonnet mounted sticker replacement. It would clean up the front end rather nicely.

The shut lines are good, suggesting that whoever built the car clearly knew what they were doing.

Blue and cream – a heady combination! Cream leather contrasts beautifully with the exterior colour and the fine hide used on the seats is as sumptuous as it looks. It’s in good order too with just some delightful patination and creasing, though a little gentle cleaning of the driver’s seat might be in order. We would be tempted to get some hide food applied to help maintain the leather’s suppleness.

Door cards, dashboard and handbrake gaiter are trimmed to match.

There’s a raft of lovely period style gauges in the dash and the wooden Mota Lita steering wheel is a tactile delight.

The black carpets look to be ok, though perhaps a quick steam clean should bring them back to their best.

We do note that the area around the door seals is a little untidy and we would spend a little time putting this right.

The boot, big enough for a little shopping or some squashy bags for a weekend away is clean and presentable.

That powerful Rover V8 fills the engine bay and the tidy state of the compartment shows careful and considered ownership. There is no sign of anything untoward.

Many a car gleams on top only to disappoint when you take look at the chassis. This Cobra replica though was a most pleasant surprise as apart from the very merest trace of surface rust on a few components, the chassis is generally clean and tidy as befits a car that has had gentle use.

Most interesting is the Pilgrim invoice in the sum of £3,860 for the blue body package, trim and other assorted parts. Another £756 was spent on the four Halibrand silver wheels. The engine was picked up for just £450, a bit of a bargain.

There are also a few pictures of the car under construction and a pile of books and literature which clearly must have been a great help to the car’s builder. Amongst them is the official construction manual which makes for delightful reading.

We would like to have seen some recent invoices for any work/servicing that had been carried out, but as is often the way with this type of car, maintenance is usually done buy the owner themselves, hence the lack of a paper trail.

The MoT history shows nothing of concern and the car was last tested in August 2019. It passed with no advisories and we understand the car has been safely stored and little used since.

Of course, we would all love an original AC Cobra, but short of winning the lottery that is likely to remain just a dream.

This Sumo Cobra replica is a damn good substitute and with an expected sale price of between £17,000 and £22,000, it is affordable too.

Summer is just around the corner and could there be a nicer car in which to enjoy it? So, get bidding and maybe, just maybe that lucky new owner could be you.

Viewing is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and as stated this car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing, we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.