1966 AC Cobra 427 Review and Performance Comparison

AC Cobra Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1966 AC Cobra 427 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the AC Cobra 427 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp and the 1967 Ford GT 40.

This particular AC Cobra has a 7000cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the AC Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Cobra shares its Petrol V 8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the Cobra's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1147 kgs (2528 lbs) places the AC Cobra 427 in a similar weight category as the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the excellent 2020 Toyota Yaris GR RS, give or take 50kg.

The AC Cobra shares the same bhp with the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (435 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 7000cc 16 valve, V 8 engine produces around 410 bhp (305 kW) @ 6000 rpm which is comparable to the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (435 bhp) and also the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport (409 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 482 lb-ft (653.5 Nm) @ 3700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2025 BMW 2 Series M2 CS Bi-Turbo (479 lb-ft) or the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport (479 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1966 AC Cobra in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1997 TVR Cerbera 4.5 (381.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the AC Cobra.

The AC Cobra has a power to weight ratio of 357.4 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1966 Cobra 427 means you're competing with the 1997 TVR Cerbera 4.5 (381.8 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2003 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren (381.3 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The AC Cobra 427 generates around 420.2 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (444.9 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2018 Ferrari 488 Pista 3.9 V8 Turbo (443.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The AC Cobra 427 can accelerate 0–60mph in 4.20 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.3 secs. Acceleration rivals to the AC Cobra 427 include the 2024 Mercedes S Class 580 e 4MATIC EQ Hybrid Technology (4.20 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2024 Maybach S 580 e EQ Hybrid Technology (4.20 secs).

The V 8 engine of the AC Cobra 427 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2024 Mercedes S Class 500 4MATIC (4.30 secs) and the 2024 Maybach S 580 (4.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the AC Cobra 427 and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged Convertible

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1966 AC Cobra can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.52 secs with a trap speed around 118.3 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged Convertible (11.53 seconds @ 118.1 mph) and a close race between the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (11.53 seconds @ 118.1 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1966 version of the AC Cobra 427 has a maximum speed of 165mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 Cobra equals the Lamborghini Countach LP400S (164 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1966 AC Cobra 427 then there's the slightly slower the Lamborghini Countach LP400S (164 mph) or how about the impressive Ford GT 40 (164 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1966 Cobra Rivals List.
• 1966 Cobra: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of AC
• Compare the 1966 AC Cobra