With little fanfare, we celebrated the Lunar New Year on January 29. The Year of the Snake has officially dawned upon us. What better way to celebrate the serpent than to introduce the AC Cobra GT to the Taiwanese populace?
When it comes to astrology or astronomy, we at The ClassicCars.com Journal know little about the atmosphere above unless it involves Comets, Meteors, Galaxies, Novas, or maybe a Satellite or Eclipse or two. However, you may be thrilled to learn that the holiday also known as the Lunar New Year always falls upon the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. This new year marks the Year of the Snake—perfect timing for AC Cars to announce Ace One Motors Co. Ltd as the exclusive dealer in Taiwan.
Not only is the Taipei dealership AC’s first foray into Asia, but it will also allow the brand to reach new customers and drive regional awareness. “We are extremely proud to be working with Ace One Motors Co. Ltd. This is a great first step into Asia, and the strength of the investment in this partnership comes at a hugely exciting time for AC Cars,” says David Conza, Chief Executive Officer of AC Cars. “We’re looking forward to a very close relationship going forward, and how this can develop, as we look to grow our presence in this strategically important market.”
Of course, Britain’s oldest active manufacturer was the originator of the AC Ace, which turned into the Cobra once a Texan by the name of Carroll Shelby convinced Ford to send a small-block to the UK and see what could happen.
The current crop of AC Cobra GT models includes a Roadster and a Coupe. If you put your thinking hat on, you may recall that there never was a Cobra coupe, though there was an AC A98 coupe that raced at Le Mans in 1964 (and served as the inspiration for the current car you see here). Like the Roadster, the Coupe features “a clean-sheet design” using the latest tech and engineering processes while remaining faithful to the spirit of the originals from the 1960s.
This isn’t just another replica. Modern drivetrain technologies plus an advanced aluminum chassis cloaked in a carbon-composite body make up the AC Cobra GT. Certainly more Da’an than Gangnam style, the dealership—in the heart of Taipei’s financial and international district—will also feature a private consultation suite, a presentation space, an atelier area, a café, and AC’s merchandise collection. The showroom is set to open during the second quarter of 2025, but customers can register their interest and contact an Ace One Motors representative at AC Cars Taiwan.