Getting ready. Ordering engine, part and tools...

I spent a long time studying the AK manual, and the most detailed build blogs, to get a grasp of what is coming:

-Terry's AK Cobra Project: https://terry427.blogspot.com/ 

-PW60BRA Cobra buid: https://pw60bra.blogspot.com/

-Mark's AK 427 Cobra build: https://markscobra.blogspot.com/

-Stu's AK 427 build: https://stu238-ak427.blogspot.com/

I then started ordering parts. First, the used parts I got from Ebay by selecting adverts of full car breaking (like "BMW E34 breaking") as there is rarely the exact part available.

Specifically I got a Rover 25 Servo, brake cylinder and brake fluid reservoir for £18 + P&P from Ebay. Needed sanding and POR15 repainting (fantastically well described at https://richsakcobra.blogspot.com/2020/02/brake-lines-part-2.html), I also ordered a fresh new master cylinder mounting o-ring from https://rimmerbros.com/ (I also realised the full brake servo and master cylinder part is still available new). 

Then I got myself a BMW E34 steering column (including keys and steering wheel), a very expensive £475 as I got one from an old BMW M5. I will sell the steering wheel later once all work done. On this part I had to remove the steering wheel key barrell and wheel lock (nicely described at https://pw60bra.blogspot.com/2015/09/8-steering-column.html)

Then I struggled a bit but finally got a Jaguar XJS handbrake mechanism. A hefty £130 but I received 2 handbrakes (one without mechanism) so I am sure I can resell the second. It was quite corroded and I found a nice company to do zinc replating on the moving parts (https://www.chingfordtec.co.uk/) for only £20, and re-chroming on the handbrake itself (https://www.ce-design.co.uk/). I am a bit worried that the mechanism is complex, it was very easy to dismount... but remounting later might be a chore...

Then I also struggled but got a Polo MkII heater, complete, for £40. Nice. 

Then I ordered tooling and parts for the brake lines, mostly Sealey parts:

Then I ordered parts from Merlin Motorsport (https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/) as recommended (seat belts, clutch master cylinder etc):

Then the brightwork from Brasscraft (https://www.brasscraft.co.uk/):

and finally... the engine from Roadcraft (https://www.roadcraftuk.co.uk/):

Last week-end I built myself a body support frame for the garage to hold the body (I am lacking space and I don't want the body to sit in the garden for months) as per Stu's intstructions (https://stu238-ak427.blogspot.com/2016/01/body-support-frame.html):

AK's first delivery (body, chassis etc) is 23rd of April... so in 2 weeks... I am as ready as it gets!

AC Cobra replica... Here we come...

I am toying with buying an AC Cobra kit car replica for years. I finally decided to go for it...  

AK Sportscar seems to be the best option available in the UK. I contacted them and they are very friendly and helpful, despite the lockdown making things difficult:

https://www.aksportscars.co.uk/cobra-kits/

So I went ahead!

Order form received and sent...

(since then I swapped the open diff for a limited slip diff (Power Lock), as I did not spot this was possible in the first place)

Should look like this after 250+h of work...