AC Cobra Tyres
The first right-hand drive AC Cobra in 1963 fitted with 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 tyres and Borrani Wheels, with Stirling Moss on the driver seat.
AC Cobra 1962–1967
- There are a wide range of possible AC Cobra 289 & 423 tyres, the original fitment was a 185 R15, alternatively a 205/70 R15 could be fitted. The MkII 289 variant and the MkIII 423 variant can be fitted with the same wheels and tyres.
- Longstone's recommendation for a standard AC Cobra would be a 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67. It is a perfectly high-performance period tyre that can handle the power and give progressive handling.
- The AC Cobra was fitted with tube-type wire wheels and innertubes as standard. For these tyres the Michelin 15F is the ideal AC Cobra innertube.
- The best AC Cobra road tyres with wide wheels would be 205/70 R 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN12 or 215/70 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN12 on the front and the 255/60 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN12 on the rear. After all this is what the Lamborghini Miura fitted to its SV models.
- The AVON CR6ZZ series offers a wide range of road/race tyres, developed as a classic race tyre, offering progressive handling in all weather conditions.
AC Cobra Tyres Explained
- B F GOODRICH RADIAL T/A TYRES have the iconic raised white lettering, typically suiting muscle cars from the '60s and '70s, also popular on AC Cobras with 15" wide wheels.
- For the AC Cobra with 16" wheels, these Michelin Pilot Sport tyres offer a perfect fit.
- Please note that for lower profile tyres (below 70%) innertubes are not supposed to be fitted.
- If you are unsure about which innertube you need, or whether or not your tyres require an innertube, see our Innertube Guide for more information.
- A German car magazine ran a Classic Car Tyre Test, finding the PIRELLI CINTURATO ™ CN12 to be the ideal 205/70 R15 tyre for classic cars without power-steering. For cars with power-steering, the PIRELLI P5 was found to be the best-performing classic tyre.
AC Cobra Recommended Tyres
Other Options for AC Cobra Tyres
Classic AC Cobra
Today a large portion of the Cobra's out there have oversized rims and extremely powerful engines, which makes people want to fit wider rear tyres. Until recently this need has been satisfied by the range of tall side-walled road race tyres in the Avon CR6ZZ series, which are excellent and offer a range of options dependent on rim size. However, these are not really ideal as road tyres.
AC Cobra Front
Tire Sizes Guide
| Tyre Size | Rim: Min - Max (") | Diameter (mm) | Section Width (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 185VR15 | 4.5 - 6.0 | 675 | 190 |
| 205/70VR15 | 5.0 - 7.0 | 676 | 213 |
| 215/60VR15 | 6.5 - 7.5 | 635 | 222 |
| 215/70VR15 | 5.5 - 7.0 | 678 | 229 |
| 225/60VR15 | 6.0 - 8.0 | 653 | 232 |
| 225/65VR15 | 6.0 - 8.0 | 678 | 231 |
| 235/60VR15 | NA | 675 | 242 |
| 245/60VR15 | 7.0 - 8.5 | 678 | 250 |
| 255/60VR15 | 7.0 - 8.5 | 685 | 260 |
| 275/55VR15 | 8.0 - 10.0 | 685 | 280 |
| 285/50VR15 | 8.0 - 10.0 | 666 | 288 |
| 295/50VR15 | 8.5 - 10.5 | 685 | 305 |
AC Cobra on PIRELLI CINTURATO Tyres
History of the AC Cobra
Carroll Shelby was responsible for the creation of the AC Cobra in the autumn of 1961. It was built on an AC Ace chassis with a massive Ford V8 and a tough Salisbury rear axle. The first 75 cars had a 4.2-litre engine, while the first 125 had Ace-type worm-and-sector steering. A 4.7-litre engine and rack and pinion steering were standard by the beginning of 1963.
In just a few years, the Cobra had been refined to the point that the team was able to win the 1964 World GT Championship, defeating such formidable names as the Ferrari 250GTO and the lightweight Jaguar E-type. The AC Cobra saw several significant modifications in 1965. To begin, the transverse leaf springs were replaced with a coil-spring and double-wishbone configuration. The second, and possibly most major, change for the Cobra was the replacement of the 4.7-litre engine with a 7-litre Ford Galaxie-based V8. This generated a mind-boggling 345bhp at 4,600rpm in a vehicle weighing a little over 1000kg!
There was a lot of disagreement over what the car's name should be. AC insisted on calling the automobile AC, but Shelby badged and sold it as the Shelby American Cobra. Later, and even more perplexingly, the automobile was dubbed the Ford Cobra! After the production of the AC Cobra was halted in 1968, AC created a long-wheelbase variant (the AC 428, which was also equipped Frua coachwork). The last of them was manufactured in 1973.
However, owing to popular demand, the automobile was reintroduced in 1983 under new ownership, with the Cobra now equipped with a 5-litre V8. With the exception of the 'Superblower,' which was equipped with a supercharger and generated 355bhp, the Cobras presently made are essentially recreations of the original vehicle.
AC Cobra on Michelin XWX Tyres
AC Cobra Borrani Wire Wheels
Borrani wheels are available for your AC Cobra. As agents for the iconic Ruote Borrani Milano company we are able to supply all wheels from their extensive range.
If your Borrani wheels require rebuilding then please contact us at [email protected]
Wire wheels made by Ruote Borrani Milano are, without a doubt, the best wire wheels available. Borrani wheels utilise aluminium rims, steel spokes and steel wheel centres.
Click the link for AC Cobra Borrani wheels.
Wheels made by Borrani are available in the following styles:
- Painted silver finish, as per the racing wheels of the period
- Polished and chrome finish, highly polished rim, chrome spokes & wheel centre
- Painted finish with polished outer edge