quote:
Originally posted by terry3000me:quote:
It saddens me to say it, as a life-long enthusiast of the marque, and I am by no means knocking for knocking`s sake, but the company named AC bears so little resemblance to the 'real' AC we know and love as to be unrecognisable, and I can`t see a way to bring it back.
What's a 'real'AC, because I'm sure my idea/interpretation will differ from many other owners. Do you consider cars made by AC (Scotland) plc as 'real' ACs? Don't compare the compaines just the term a real AC. I consider the cars built in Malta and those from Germany as real ACs
Terry
Hi Terry.
I certainly do consider Scottish built ME`s to be 'real' AC`s, as they were basically a shift of production of the 'then' current AC designed product.
As AC moved from the Hurlock era, via Autokraft to Frimley, there was still a tangible 'bloodline', but by the time we get to the Frimley/Normandy stage, that link has become watered down, albeit that AC was
still (but only just!) a manufacturer at this point, which to me makes these cars 'Real' AC`s...Even the Maltese MkV`s were
(To a greater or lesser degree, in my humble opinion.)still an AC product, just made somewhere else. Since the closure of the Maltese factory unit, AC is a name, on paper, but not a manufacturer.
But now, we have a well-established Cobra replica being built by
(by all accounts) an excellent and respected firm, being rebadged as an AC, in much the same way that the
Smart Roadster was intended to be several years ago
.(What ever happened to Project Kimber?) Carroll Shelby now endorses the Superformance Daytona Coupé and Cobra Roadster, but just because he puts his name to them, does that make them a 'Shelby' product? Personally, I say, No. It`s a paper exercise, as is Badging a Mohr(Gullwing GmbH) Cobra replica as an AC.
Should, for example, AC have entered into this partnership
not with Gullwing GmbH in Heyda, but instead with Pilgrim in Sussex, who make the 'Sumo' Cobra replica, would we recognise that from henceforth as a 'real' AC?
Again, Personally, I say no.
In a similar vein, The Brabham family took exception to their name being used for the "Formtech"
GmbH (formerly Super Aguri) entry into the 2010 Formula 1 championships.
but each to their own, and whilst I`m happy to defend my opinion, I have no desire to force it upon anyone, and can happily agree to disagree.[
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