AC Cars Reviews and Road Tests

AC Cars Reviews and Road Tests

Founded by John Weller and John Portwine in 1904, AC began manufacturing basic commercial vehicles until the release of the 1908 AC Sociable. The company experienced immense difficulty in the 1920's, including the founders leaving and being liquidated in 1929. But somehow they managed to survive for the next 30 years, manufacturing a 3 wheeled invalid car to help remain a viable concern. But the masterpieces were to come in the 1950's, with the release of the Ace and fearsome Ford V8 powered Cobra.

Collector Notes: Cobra (1962) put an end to AC'S other endeavours but almost the entire production of 1500 units went to the US. They are authentic collector items. If you find one - grab it.

Also see: AC Heritage


		AC Ace 1953 - 1963 After World War 2 AC Cars of Thames Ditton England came back into the market by releasing the two litre range in 1947. But it was not until 1953 when the company released the Ace Sportscar, that its reputation was made. The inspiration of this car was clearly Ferrari Barchetta, with the results showing an extremely pretty, open two seater with an alloy body, as well as independent transverse leaf spring suspension. More>>

		AC Cobra 1953 - 1963 AC Cars were approached in 1961 by Texan racer Carroll Shelby, with the idea of putting a Ford 4.2-litre V8 engine into the Ace sportscar. A few months later the first prototypes were produced with 100 being sent to America a short time later for completion. The result of this was the legendary Cobra, one of the fastest and most famous muscle cars of all. More>>

		AC ME3000 1979 - 1984 The story of the AC M E3000 begins with the end of the Unipower story: Peter Bohanna was asked to build a Mk II version of the popular Mini-engined GT car. The 1970s were not a good period for luxury car manufacturers and AC Managing Director W Derek Hurlock went searching for a totally new smaller car. More>>