One Owner Replica: 1982 Aurora Cobra
The world of Cobra replicas is deep and diverse, with numerous offerings that often appear as a forgotten project in someone’s garage. The reason for this has much to do with how popular the original Cobra remains even to this day, capturing the fantasies of sports car enthusiasts everywhere who will never forget the significance of a small car with a big engine. The Cobra replica shown here is one we don’t come across all that often, as it’s the Canadian-made model known as the Aurora. Marketed as a high-end offering when it was new, it was one of the more exclusive entry points into replica Cobra ownership.
Right off the bat, you can see an emphasis on luxury and finesse versus brawn and bulges. The body doesn’t rely on wildly flared fenders and wide wheels to make its point; instead, we see the narrow bodystyle reminiscent of the earliest AC Cobra models versus what came later in the Shelby years. The wire wheels and the chrome details also seem to indicate more of a spirited drive to your country manor experience versus let’s kick arse on the drag strip tonight, a sentiment that cars like the Factory 5 racers absolutely channel into the driving experience.
What I love about replicas like this Aurora is how much attention to detail was applied when assembling the interior. This is always one of the more disappointing features about any replica or kit car build, as it seems most manufacturers run out of time, money, or both when it comes to the cockpit. Not so in the Aurora, as we see a handsome dash design with an actual custom console that sits ahead of the gear shift. Full carpeting, leather seats, and actual door panels with map pockets round out the interior, and some internet experts indicate the production line time for the Aurora Cobra was absolutely staggering, due to an emphasis on quality over quantity.
Under the hood is a familiar site, with a 5.0L V8 lifted directly from a Fox body Mustang of the same era. This is good news, as the engine provides plenty of power but can easily be tuned up for greater performance without making a significant dent on your wallet or causing the car to become unpleasant to operate. The seller reports that while his Aurora Cobra does have some cosmetic flaws stemming from years of enjoyable use, the mechanical bits have been gone through to make it as turnkey as possible. The Aurora is listed here on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $60,000.
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Comments
I’ve always preferred the small block slab side and FIA Cobras over their 427 counterparts. This replica seems well sorted and at a fraction of the cost of a “real”one.
This a very nice car. While I have a certain affinity for the flared wheel openings, side pipes, big tires, and just overall sexiness of the 427 replicas, this one is understated cool. I would actually love to own this car. I can just imagine Sunday afternoon drives up to Sedona via the backroad to Jerome. (You would probably need to be from Arizona to understand that) Someone is going to get “miles of smiles” out of it.
Many companies built various “Cobra” versions of replicas and kits with varying widely varying quality. The Aurora versions were very nice. My buddy bought some lots of tools, parts and equipment at the auction after the Aurora factory closed. He gave me a few NOS “Aurora” emblems for my collection. If you are interested in buying any Cobra replica, check with your insurer first. Some list Cobra/kits among vehicles they won’t insure.
I’m a custom builder and auto machine shop owner, I’d like to talk about what you’re selling. Thanx AL 708 636 1949
I had a few early Auroras in my shop to correct some glaring faults. The front suspension and brakes are from the same f-body as the engine with the adaptors for the Dayton wheels bolted to the hubs using the stock wheel stud, which were too long, and kept the wheels from seating properly. The bump steer was atrocious as the steering rack was moved without any thoughts of it.
Put me with the original versionists. AC stood for Angliss Cars and the only one I ever saw was used at Qvales circa 1962? I was 9 or 10 and remember thinking that it doesn’t have eight cylinders, so not on my kid radar. I think it was priced at $1499, but those brothers always had eclectic tastes. They had a room full of blown SAAB engines that buyers had neglected to add oil to the gas in the two stroke version. Their only peer was Monte Shelton in Portland. I’m glad I was raised with those veteran risk takers who after surviving several years of combat, came home and rolled the dice. Corporate America has deemed their ilk unnecessary . They will regret funneling all the money to Jamie Dimon and his acolytes. Rant finished. The Meds kicked in.
This is a very nice automobile. While I prefer the 427 clones, (flared wheel openings, big tires, side pipes, etc.) this would be absolutely perfect for a Sunday drive to Sedona via the back road to Jerome, (you would need to live in Arizona to get it) Very cool car.
I do live in Arizona, Prescott to be exact and I certainly get it. Back in the early 90s I had a 88 Foxbody GT convertible and loved the drive you’re referring to with the top down. I did it top down once when it was lightly snowing. A wonderful and memorable experience. 😀
When sorted out and running correctly, Auroras are nice sporty cars in their own right. While the body moulds were taken from a real ’63 CSX Shelby AC Cobra, these cars are NOT replicas. In the 1980s the Richmond Hill, Ontario company used to say: “Don’t call our cars kit cars”, and they were right, because they were built and sold as actual PRODUCTION CARS, that met all early 1980s safety and emissions regulations of the day. This is why they have bigger, non-Cobra tail lamps, 5 mph impact front bumpers, a cockpit that looks nothing that of a real Cobra, a chassis that bears no resemblance to AC’s Tojeiro-designed original, a strangled 160 bhp Mustang 302, etc. Anyone wanting an accurate original 260 or 289-style Cobra, would find the version built by Superformance in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to be visually identical to the real thing, and performance-wise almost identical. It is built under licence from the holders of both the rights to AC Cars Ltd and Shelby American.
Listed for 18 weeks.
Seller isn’t really looking to sell.
Nice car and interior but for 60 large you can definitely get a replica with a big block and all the goodies. If I remember that 5.0 is like 180 hp..30-35k car imho..glwta
I don’t think the seller is serious, either. How much would it take to detail the engine bay? The interior is dirty, worn and weathered. No pictures of the undercarriage, but I can just imagine worn shocks, bushings, and old oil, fuel and brake lines. Just look at the condition of the shift knob! Looks like the car has a lot of miles.
As the owner of aurora # 78 I can tell you it’s a mixed bag , great frame / Jag rearend/ coilovers / Very easy to work on / 1982 302 a dud that I ended up replacing with a blueprint 302 ( $5300 ) that on their Dyno ( gross ) was 390 HP and 360 t / added a T5 for 2k / brakes needed some work and electrics were upgraded / but my secret weapon is A/C which with a surry top makes the car very usable down here in GA . Car came in at 2400 on scales
A member of the car club I belong to bought one of these new. They were sold through Ford dealerships and had a factory drivetrain warranty I believe. After a few mods to bump the horses and some autocrossing, that warranty was long gone. He got rid of the wire wheels pretty fast and did some suspension and tire upgrades making it a respectable performer. It did have some issues that made it a frequent visitor to the service dept. like a stuck throttle that made for a major “off”.
I understand that the fibreglass bodies were made by C&C yachts and were somewhat heavier than most replicas.
If anyone is interested there is a Aurora owners website and a aurora google group . One sold on BAT for 74K and another for 55K . both looked real nice but not much in the way of mechanical improvements. while I take mine autocrossing it seems most cars get more limited use. Hard to find slabside kits although this was officially a production car ( about 180 made )
AC never stood for Angliss Cars – the Hurlock family would be quite upset to read that. As far as the late Monte Shelton is concerned he was a new car dealer for Saab, Jaguar, Bentley/Rolls-Royce for a while, and I believe Land Rover but I wouldn’t doubt an AC Cobra or two had to pass through his hands. As far as the interior – I think it is one of the worst and most inauthentic parts of the car. I have seen Auroras reworked to the point they would fool an expert.
Last comment I promise , It kinda depends on what your after. I haven’t met any Aurora/ era/ factory five owners trying to pass their cars off as originals. I just always liked the “slabside ” car looks and the Auroras offered upgrades in chassis / suspension/ and yes even creature comforts ( AC was an option ) plus I could afford it and use/enjoy it without freaking out it was in the Home depot parking lot. plenty of performance with my combo and very reliable . I also have AC Bristrol badges on car.
Honestly, for that money, I’d expect “more engine” … I’d actually pay more for a 260 or 289 than a run-of-the-mill 302 … anyone can throw a Coyote in anything for more hp but a nice, clean “original” is better, to me anyway …