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. Cobra
PRICE: SEE SPECIALISTS
Fast Facts
- Produced:
260: 1962, 289: 1962-68, 427/428: 1964-66 - Bodywork:
Two-door open sports - Engine:
All are overhead valve,
V8s 260 260 cu.in. (4262cc) 265bhp
289 289 cu.in. (4727cc) 271bhp
427 427 cu.in. (6984cc) 425bhp - 0-60 mph:
260/289 5-5.5 sec 427 4+ sec - Top Speed:
260/289 140+ mph, 427 165 mph - MPG:
12-15
PAST: If it’s the ultimate A.C. you’re after, then it just has to be a Cobra. The car owes its existence to motorsport legend American Carroll Shelby. He came to the UK in 1962, and on his return, complete with an engine-less Ace, set about installing a V8 Ford motor – initially using a 260 cu.in. unit. Later cars had 427 cu.in. and 428 cu. in. for phenomenal performance. Cobras quickly became legends in their own lifetimes, and resulted in such high demand that a wealth of imitation models followed. Most fundamental change was replacing leaf springs for coil units in 1965
PRESENT: Still ranks as one of the most thrilling sports car ever made – and one that makes a Caterham look tame by comparison! Unless you’ve driven the real thing a good replica provides 99 per cent of the sensations.
FUTURE: Name your price for a good authentic model (one recently sold for almost half a million) and there’s no shortage of takers.
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?
