Interior

Dashboard shape

All the dashboards were straight; ie the face of the dash did not curve towards you at the ends. At the extreme ends of the dash, the face curves sharply away from you.

427S/C Straight lower edge, without a cubby hole

427R Straight lower edge, with a cubby hole

AC289 The lower edge had a slightly larger portion in the centre to accommodate the clock. A cubby hole was a standard feature

Instrument layout, gauges and switches

	S/C	Roadster	289 Sport
Oil Pressure	Smiths full sweep 0-100psi	Smiths full sweep 0-100psi	Smiths full sweep 0-100psi
Water Temp	Smiths full sweep 0-110deg C	Smiths full sweep 0-110deg C	Smiths full sweep 0-110deg C
Oil Temp	Smiths full sweep 0-140deg C	Smiths full sweep 0-140deg C	Smiths full sweep 0-140deg C
Amps	Lucas -50 +50 Needle pointed up	Lucas -50 +50 Needle pointed up	Lucas -50 +50 Needle pointed up
Fuel Gauge	None	Smiths half sweep Needle pointed down	Smiths half sweep Needle pointed down
Fuel pressure	Smiths full sweep 0-10 psi	None	None
Clock	None	None	Smiths Electrical Had two "screws" at 10 and 2
Speedo	Smiths reverse wound 0-180 mph	Smiths reverse wound on early cars Later cars used normally wound 0-180mph	Smiths normally wound 0-180mph
Rev (Tacho)	Smiths - same size as speedo 0-8000rpm	Smiths - same size as speedo 0-8000rpm	Smiths - same size as speedo 0-8000rpm
Warning lights	Big red for ignition smaller blue and green for bright’s and indicators resp	Big red for ignition smaller blue and green for bright's and indicators resp	Big red for ignition smaller blue and green for bright's and indicators resp
Toggle Diff	2 position (up down) for the diff oil cooler pump	None	None
Toggle Fans	2 position (up down) To override the thermo switch	2 position (up down) To override the thermo switch	None
Wiper knob	Fluted knob 3 position (turn) off-slow-fast	Fluted knob 3 position (turn) off-slow-fast	Fluted knob 3 position (turn) off-slow-fast
W/screen washer	None	Fluted push pull knob which was actually a pump	?
Toggle fog	2 position (up down)	?	None
Toggle lights	3 position (up down) off-parks-lights	3 position (up down) off-parks-lights	3 position (up down) off-parks-lights
Panel rheostat	Fluted turn knob Could switch panel lights off or just dim them	Fluted turn knob Could switch panel lights off or just dim them	Fluted turn knob Could switch panel lights off or just dim them
Hooter	Round black button	Round black button	Round black button
Ignition switch	Ignition and starter	Ignition and starter	Ignition and starter
Fresh air knob	Fluted push pull knob opened air to footwells	Fluted push pull knob opened air to footwells	Fluted push pull knob opened air to footwells
Cigarette lighter	None	Round push-in knob	None

Dash Layouts

Click on Thumbnails

Steering wheel

They all were fitted with 16" 3 spoked wood rim. Tear drop slots. The centre spoke pointed vertically down.

427 S/C Badge was the"AC"logo being a carry on from the square bodied predecessors.

427R Badge was the Pete Brock "Cobra" logo.

AC289 Badge was the "AC" logo.

Seat Belts

427 S/C Used U.S. Ray Brown or Impact belts- a carry over from sq body cars.

427R As for the SC

AC289 Anchor points were provided but the belts were not fitted as a standard

Direction indicator

They all used the1960's VW beetle unit. The lever pointed towards the centre of the car.

Rearview mirror - Dash mounted

427S/C Had a small rectangular mirror mounted just off centre on top of the dash - the stalk was relatively short.

427R Had a small rectangular mirror mounted just off centre on top of the dash - the stalk was much longer.

AC289 Same as the roadster except the glass was much bigger.

Pedals

They all used the cast aluminium pedals with the "AC" logo cast into the pedal. The pedals each had two rubber grommets

427S/C Pivoted on the floor and swivelled on their mounting to the pedal lever.

427R Pivoted on the floor and swivelled on their mounting to the pedal lever.

AC289 Pivoted on top and also swivelled.

Seats

427S/C Black leather '60 style bucket seat. The cushion was flat.

427R Black leather '60 style bucket seat. The cushion was flat.

AC289 A variety of colours were available.

Carpets

427S/C Industrial pile black

427R As for the S/C

AC289 A variety of colours were available

Gearlever

All the models had reverse selector levers just under the gear knob.

427S/C The lever exited slightly to eh left of centre of the tunnel and then was angled forward and towards the driver

427R Same as the S/C.

AC289 Due to the smaller block, the lever came out of the tunnel in the correct place and was therefore straight and short.

Handbrake

All the models had the same style of chromed handbrake lever. The lever was placed on the right hand side of the tunnel regardless of wether the car was LH or RH drive. In the engaged position, the lever stood almost perpendicular to the floor.

Door latches

All the models had a "slam lock" system. The latch mechanism was housed in a chromed rectangular box and the activator stuck out of the top of this box. A leather thong was attached at one end to the end of the activator and at the other end to the under side of the centre side screen ferrel.

Doorpanels

427S/C The S/C was not fitted with door pockets. The inside of the door was trimmed with black Vinyl or leather.

427R The inside of the door was trimmed like the S/C, but the Roadster also had door pockets. (Black)

AC289 As for the Roadster, but the colour of the material matched the rest of the upholstery.

Door trimming

All the models had an aluminium strip along the sill of the door. This strip extended from the bottom of the hinge all the way around the bottom of the door sill to the door latch striker.

Ash tray

Only found on the 427 Roadster. Mounted on top of the transmission tunnel in front of the gear lever.

Chicken Handle

Only found on the 289 Sport. Mounted on the rim of the body above the dash on the passenger side.

W/screen washer

This applies to both the 289 Sport and the 427 roadster. They both used the Trico resevoir. There were two nozzles each with two holes. They were activated by a push/pull pump knob on the dash situated between the hooter button and the steering column.

Demist slots

This applies to both the 289 Sport and the 427 roadster. There was one fitted on each side between the w/screen and dash. The finish was chrome or polished st/steel.

Heater / fan

This applies to both the 289 Sport and the 427 roadster. The controls were situated in the middle of the dash below the lower edge

Cigarette lighter

The 427 roadster had a lighter that was mounted on the dash.

Clock

The 289 Sport had a Smiths Electric clock. It was mounted in the centre of the dash at the bottom bulge.

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allthingscobra edited by R. Wood