Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This is a look at a one-of-a-kind classic car from the makers of the AC Cobra in England. Here are all the details on this extremely rare prototype 1963 AC MA200. 
1963 AC MA-200 PROTOTYPE
AC Cars (originally Auto Carriers Ltd.) is a British automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest independent car makers founded in 1901 in England.
The AC Ace (the Cobra body) went into production in 1953, a two-seat aluminum open sports bodied car. In 1962, after a decade of the Ace production, the factory decided to produce a prototype for the replacement of the Ace. Mr. Marczewski designed the prototype, named MA-200 (MA the first 2 letters of the designer’s name). What emerged from the design process was a car larger than the Ace/Cobra featuring a spaceframe chassis (wheelbase 96”) clothed in sleek Italianate aluminum bodywork. Beneath the skin there was coil-sprung independent suspension all round: by cantilevered upper links and lower wishbones at the front and struts and wishbones at the rear, the latter a departure from the customary live rear axle, together with inboard rear disc brakes and high-level rack-and-pinion steering. Indeed, in terms of its chassis and running gear, the MA-200 was one of the most advanced sports cars of its day. It was decided to use the Ford 289 cu. in. (4.7 liter) Cobra “Hi-Po” (High-Performance) engine which had more power and was more economical than the AC 2.4 liter six. The engine was sent to AC by Shelby and Ford.
Because of the orders for the Ace body by Shelby, the MA-200 was never put into production. Registered in 1963, the car was driven for many years by AC’s managing director, Derek Hurlock, before being sold into private ownership in 1968. Road & Track magazine’s December 1964 edition had published a photograph of MA-200, declaring: “a prototype AC Cobra has been seen on the roads of England”, giving cause to many rumors. In 2006, the Creative Workshop in Dania Beach, FL was commissioned to undertake a forensic, 36-month restoration. This most challenging project returned MA-200 to concours condition. The team’s efforts were justly rewarded in 2010 when MA-200 won Best in Class at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The AC went on to achieve more top honors at the 36th Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s.
MA-200 has been featured in numerous publications over the years, including Classic ACs – Auto-Carrier to Cobra by John McLellan, and has its own chapter “The Lost Prototype” in the Shelby World Registry. An important piece of AC car history, this unique factory prototype has a massive history file of documents, drawings, photographs, registration documents, photocopied literature, correspondence and numerous restoration bills, etc., supporting its provenance.
AC MA-200 Specifications
General
Manufacturer: AC Engine
Location: Donington Park, Derby, England
Year: 1963
Production: number built 1
Construction
Construction: steel spaceframe chassis, aluminum body
Suspension: independent, at front by upper links, lower wishbones, inboard coilovers; rear lower wishbones, spring/damper struts; anti-roll bar f/r
Steering: rack and pinion
Brakes: discs, inboard at rear
Engine
Engine: ohv 289ci (4736cc) V8 Ford (Cobra)
Carburetor: four-barrel
Power: 271bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 312lb ft @ 3400rpm
Transmission: four-speed manual, RWD
Dimensions
Length: 14ft 2in (4318mm)
Width: 6ft 8in (1727mm)
Height: n/a
Wheelbase: 8ft (2438mm)
Weight: 2670lb (1211kg)
0–60mph: n/a
Top speed: n/a
Mpg: n/a
This is a look at a one-of-a-kind classic car from the makers of the AC Cobra in England. Here are all the details on this extremely rare prototype 1963 AC MA200. 
1963 AC MA-200 PROTOTYPE
AC Cars (originally Auto Carriers Ltd.) is a British automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest independent car makers founded in 1901 in England.
The AC Ace (the Cobra body) went into production in 1953, a two-seat aluminum open sports bodied car. In 1962, after a decade of the Ace production, the factory decided to produce a prototype for the replacement of the Ace. Mr. Marczewski designed the prototype, named MA-200 (MA the first 2 letters of the designer’s name). What emerged from the design process was a car larger than the Ace/Cobra featuring a spaceframe chassis (wheelbase 96”) clothed in sleek Italianate aluminum bodywork. Beneath the skin there was coil-sprung independent suspension all round: by cantilevered upper links and lower wishbones at the front and struts and wishbones at the rear, the latter a departure from the customary live rear axle, together with inboard rear disc brakes and high-level rack-and-pinion steering. Indeed, in terms of its chassis and running gear, the MA-200 was one of the most advanced sports cars of its day. It was decided to use the Ford 289 cu. in. (4.7 liter) Cobra “Hi-Po” (High-Performance) engine which had more power and was more economical than the AC 2.4 liter six. The engine was sent to AC by Shelby and Ford.
Because of the orders for the Ace body by Shelby, the MA-200 was never put into production. Registered in 1963, the car was driven for many years by AC’s managing director, Derek Hurlock, before being sold into private ownership in 1968. Road & Track magazine’s December 1964 edition had published a photograph of MA-200, declaring: “a prototype AC Cobra has been seen on the roads of England”, giving cause to many rumors. In 2006, the Creative Workshop in Dania Beach, FL was commissioned to undertake a forensic, 36-month restoration. This most challenging project returned MA-200 to concours condition. The team’s efforts were justly rewarded in 2010 when MA-200 won Best in Class at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The AC went on to achieve more top honors at the 36th Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s.
MA-200 has been featured in numerous publications over the years, including Classic ACs – Auto-Carrier to Cobra by John McLellan, and has its own chapter “The Lost Prototype” in the Shelby World Registry. An important piece of AC car history, this unique factory prototype has a massive history file of documents, drawings, photographs, registration documents, photocopied literature, correspondence and numerous restoration bills, etc., supporting its provenance.
AC MA-200 Specifications
General
Manufacturer: AC Engine
Location: Donington Park, Derby, England
Year: 1963
Production: number built 1
Construction
Construction: steel spaceframe chassis, aluminum body
Suspension: independent, at front by upper links, lower wishbones, inboard coilovers; rear lower wishbones, spring/damper struts; anti-roll bar f/r
Steering: rack and pinion
Brakes: discs, inboard at rear
Engine
Engine: ohv 289ci (4736cc) V8 Ford (Cobra)
Carburetor: four-barrel
Power: 271bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 312lb ft @ 3400rpm
Transmission: four-speed manual, RWD
Dimensions
Length: 14ft 2in (4318mm)
Width: 6ft 8in (1727mm)
Height: n/a
Wheelbase: 8ft (2438mm)
Weight: 2670lb (1211kg)
0–60mph: n/a
Top speed: n/a
Mpg: n/a
