Marque: A.C. - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand
A.C.
The famous A.C. name is well over than a century old and while it’s best remembered for the classic Cobras, the outfit made a wide variety of vehices, including invalid carriages. ‘A.C’ from the three wheeled commercial ‘Auto Carrier’ vehicle, made by the firm established by John Weller (an engineer) and John Portwine, ‘Autocars and Accessories Ltd.’ A passenger carrying version of…
A.C. Ace, Aceca, Greyhound
PRICE: £30,000 - £200,000+
Fast Facts
- Produced:
Ace, 1953-63; Aceca, 1954-62 - Bodywork:
Ace Two-door open sports
Aceca, Two-door coupé - Engine:
Overhead valve in-line six-cylinder AC 1991cc,90bhp
Ford engine (Ace 2.6, from 1961) 2553cc 170bhp
Ace-Bristol: 1971cc 125bhp - 0-60 mph:
8-13 sec - Top Speed:
100-130mph - MPG:
18-25
PAST: A.C. cars of the 1950s were, stylish sportsters which were a cut above the TRs and MGs, and today make premium classics. The Ace of 1953 was powered by A.C.’s own six pot engine, fed by triple S.U. carbs with an unusual transverse leaf independent suspension set up. An elegant fixedhead Aceca followed in 1954, but A.C. used two-litre Bristol power in ‘56, giving a top speed of 115mph. Although the ultra-rapid V8 Cobra took the limelight in the 1960s, the Ford-Zodiac powered Ace 2.6 was also a potent sports, but few made (26 Aces, seven Aceca). Some 225 Aces were produced, 154 Acecas. Greyhound is upmarket 2+2 coupe with superior chassis.
PRESENT: Despite its rather unusual suspension set up these A.Cs really drove as well as any Aston, especially Ford engine tuned by Ruddspeed.
FUTURE: Values for these cars started ti climb a few years back and can only increase due to rarity of models.
A.C. 3000ME
PRICE: £3000-£13,000
Fast Facts
- Produced:
1979-84
- Bodywork:
Two-door fixed-head coupé - Engine:
Ford Essex overhead valve, in-line
six-cylinder 2994cc 138bhp - 0-60 mph:
8 sec - Top Speed:
130+ mph - MPG:
18-25
PAST: In 1973 A.C. dared to be different among specialist car makers by introducing the radical mid-engine ME although sadly not actually produced for sale until 1979. A striking fixedhead two-seater, it featured Ford’s Capri V6 engine mounted amidships. Keenly priced with respectable performance approximately 80 examples only were built. A good idea and an equally good car even at £13,000 new), it’s a mystery why it flopped so badly.
PRESENT: A sort of British MR2, the ingredients were right if not the actual mix. Performance was only slightly better than a Capri and road tests at the time said the handling, although okay, needed more work. Certainly the car looks the part even if it can be mistaken for a kit car!
FUTURE: Given the car’s rarity (how many of the 80 still survive?), and the average prices other A.Cs sell for, the 3000ME looks a bargain. Parts supply isn’t too bad either. How long it will stay that way?
