The 28th annual edition of the American Handcrafted Auto Show was held this year at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California on Saturday and Sunday April 28th and 29th. The AHC show is always interesting but it was even more fun than usual this year because after the Knott's Berry Farm exhibition a special cruise to the Huntington Beach Pier was held. Once there the cars were to reassemble for the second half of the show. As usual Factory Five Racing was a strong presence and there were several other manufacturers as well. Factory Five brought several new and interesting cars with them for show at their busy exhibit.
The level of craftsmanship on most of the vehicles in attendance was amazing with spectacular project results to be seen everywhere we turned. The big block Cobras were dominant this year but there were other Ford product replicas also including but not limited to the GT 40, Shelby Daytona Coupes, and even the '32 Ford. While we can't show you each and every beautiful car we saw we did shoot photos of some of our favorites. Come take a stroll with and we'll show you just a few of the cars we thought were of particular interest.
We decided to begin our tour...
We decided to begin our tour of the show at the Factory Five trailer and work our way around in a great circle back to it. For starters Factory Five had a superb trio of their Daytona coupes on exhibit and they were awesome. Looking just like the original race cars reincarnated the Factory Five Daytona Coupe replica is just the ticket if you've got a hankering to outrun your neighbor's ZO6.
The Factory Five Daytona Coupe...
The Factory Five Daytona Coupe replica is called the Type 65 Coupe. We especially liked this car with its racing sponsor graphics, interesting wheels and white side exhaust. Install a healthy Windsor in this car and it will go 0 to 60 in well under four seconds. Expect a top end around 180 mph if you've got the right gearing and the nerve.
As we moved further away from...
As we moved further away from the Factory Five headquarters we began to see some Cobras. This British Racing Green Cobra is from Factory Five and is a good example of the traditional look. In the bright sunlight this is beautiful color. We'll bet it looks even better at twilight.
Inside this Cobra the saddle...
Inside this Cobra the saddle colored leather continues the overall traditional look of this beautiful car. Black faced gauges and the original style wooden steering wheel complete the journey back to 1965.
The next Cobra we came upon...
The next Cobra we came upon was also a Factory Five unit but this time the look seemed to have a more modern thrust to it. We thought the light blue metallic paint was a winner along with the modern Mustang GT five spoke aluminum wheels. We're sure the double roll hoops give the passenger a sense of security.
Inside this Cobra the modern...
Inside this Cobra the modern theme was continued. The whole instrument panel surface has been carbon fiber enhanced while the instruments themselves are the latest in white faced gauges from Auto meter. Even the traditional steering wheel has been ditched in favor of a padded leather covered wheel. We think that both of these Cobra owners succeeded in creating beautiful cars while following obviously different visions.
While most of the Cobra replicas...
While most of the Cobra replicas at the show were Factory Five they weren't the only player at the AHC show. West Coast Performance of Simi Valley, California was on hand with their handsome rendition of the 427 SC.
Shell Valley is the maker...
Shell Valley is the maker of this authentic looking 1967 427 Cobra. The hobby isn't like ten years ago when teething problems abounded. Now all of the makers offer top quality Cobra replicas.
Of course the Ford GT 40 is...
Of course the Ford GT 40 is one of everybody's favorites. The owner has done a beautiful job on this car, which is decked out in Le Mans Gulf Oil war paint. Excellent Ford GT 40 replicas are offered by Superformance, ERA or Era Replica Automobiles, CAV Auto Futura and others.
Now you can make a complete...
Now you can make a complete 1929 Model A roadster1932 Ford Deuce with an excellent kit offered by Shell Valley. Chris Leigh did a great job on this car, which looked like it didn't have an original Ford part on it.
We were on the hunt for something...
We were on the hunt for something different next and we began to notice the wide variety of finish choices artistic themes. When we bumped into this all metal finish Kirkham Cobra with the built on hardtop we were interested. The highly polished aluminum body is the result of a joint effort by West Coast Performance and Kirkham.
This Factory Five Cobra was...
This Factory Five Cobra was done by J Miller Customs. It's painted to resemble a jet fighter and is complete with faux bullet holes leaking hydraulic fluid. The car certainly fulfilled our thought to find something a little different. It looks like everybody is beginning to saddle up for the cruise to Huntington Beach. We want to get there ahead of the pack so we can see everybody filing in.
Out at Huntington Beach Pier...
Out at Huntington Beach Pier the arrival begins. A few of the first cars had to ask where to go for the event. Once the cars began to group up it was plain to see where the action was going to be. We'd be willing to bet that the cops heard us coming from several miles away.
In this photo one of the first...
In this photo one of the first arrivals cleans up his car in preparation for show. The enormous parking lot wasn't empty for long.
Here the cars continue to...
Here the cars continue to line up in front of the Mustang & Fords magazine banner. The event was sponsored by Mustang & Fords, Mustang Monthly, Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords and also 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords.
We thought we had seen everything...
We thought we had seen everything back at the Knott's show ground, but we can't understand how we missed seeing this beautiful Cobra.
This overview should give...
This overview should give you an idea of the size of this gathering. Although the sky was overcast at noon the clouds burned off for a sunny afternoon. We certainly hope the show organizers will continue to have the fun drive between the two really great venues