CSX2000 Nose design origins

[Cobrask8]

More research for the Museum presentation:

While the Cobra body is based on the AC Ace, well known most every dimension has been changed/upgraded to work with the upgraded chassis & suspension. And the rear bodywork was mostly left like the Ace, as it was decent looking.

But the Ace in front looked like a catfish, and was re-designed for the Cobra cars. My question is who made the suggestions? Was it Shelby? Was CSX2000 the first, or were there an Ace prototype or two with the changes? Is the 2000 grill indeed an Ace grille cut down to the new opening shape?

Trying to ascertain this information as part of my research. Only details in my 4th edition registry is the simple sentence about the front being redesigned for the Cobra, but no other information.

If someone knows the origin, or can direct me to a viable source, I would be most appreciative.

Thanks You,

Dan

[Cobra Ned]

Ken Rudd, a local AC dealer who enjoyed racing the cars, came up with the idea of stuffing a 2.6 liter 6-cylinder Ford Zephyr engine into an Ace, which had used a 2000 cc 6 up until that time. AC decided to build a small run of these cars, but the height of the engine mandated a slight redesign of the nose. They made it a little taller and used a grille out of the Greyhound coupe, turned  upside down. It looked great and became the same nose used on the small-block Cobras.

[Cobrask8]

Thank You Ned! I was going to reach out to you as well. Do you have any images of those cars?

[Cobra Ned]

Here's a shot of the unusual AC "Greyhound" which they produced between 1959 - 1962. See if the grille reminds you of anything. And then there is a shot of an Ace 2.6, in this case RS5004 which was built in the summer of '61.

[Cobrask8]

Again, thank you Ned!

[JD]

Classic & Sports Car magazine (an English publication) did a COBRA special edition #27 last year that gave a summary, differences and numbers produced of the AC cars and Cobra versions like the grille front end stuff Ned shared, that might help. 

Story also tell just how shaky the AC operation was and how Shelby's orders were important to keeping the doors open.

Sorry I gave the one I had to a buddy and it's now in Connecticut, might find one used ... cover looks like this

[Cobrask8]

Thanks JD!

Anybody have that edition and can share/scan/copy?

[JD]

Ooops , I found it didn't send it off yet!

PM me your address and I'll mail it to you, too many pages to copy or scan.

JD

(Dan, Thanks - It will go out today)