Messages

46

Vintage, PVT & 2 Litre Forum / Rear spring removal (2 Litre).

« on: September 15, 2013, 23:20:24 »

Another owner advised that he's removed the springs by firstly releasing the axle. I still have doubts, since the clearance under the spring, to the chassis underpan, is 0.5 inch. The deflection in the spring centre, waiting to be released, I calculate to be 4.125 inches. If you hear a news report of the first AC enthusiast in orbit, you'll know that it's gone wrong!

47

Vintage, PVT & 2 Litre Forum / Video from Norway of 1924 AC Royal

« on: August 26, 2013, 11:14:48 »

Thanks for that link. Very nice view of a lovely AC. I think the only dialogue I understood were the technical references, including gearbox/diff.

48

General Forum / Original or long time owners

« on: July 29, 2013, 23:04:12 »

My 2 Litre Saloon has been in my family for 51 years. It brought me home from the maternity hospital at age 2 days, so I guess I started my hobby early. There was also a 4 Door Saloon for sale in 2011 that had been with its original owner for 57 years and was still going strong.

49

General Forum / Waterless coolant

« on: July 24, 2013, 02:49:14 »

I see that Evans' website tackles my point (mentioned above) about the benefits of localised boiling. They basically say that if the temperature is high enough at a hot-spot, instead of bubbles of steam helping to remove heat (via latent heat), it can become a continuous layer of steam preventing heat transfer.
   
   In the AC engine, coolant stagnates at the rear, allowing corroded alloy flakes to build up and make the coolant flow even worse. I suspect that steam may be produced around the top of cylinder 6 under these conditions leading to rough running.

50

General Forum / Waterless coolant

« on: June 01, 2013, 22:09:20 »

Graham makes some valid and interesting points. I wonder if the specific heat capacity changes with temperature (or at critical temperatures) for the waterless coolant? What concerns me is that the high boiling point would remove one of the plus points of water-based coolant: Localised boiling can cool any hot-spots by utilising water's high latent heat of evaporation. The AC Weller engine tends to run hotter at cylinders 5 and 6 by design and so these may be vulnerable if the engine is below par.
   
   On the plus side, lower corrosion and no limescale would be a welcome change. But if the AC water-pump is weeping, then coolant costs might exceed the fuel bill!

51

Recent ACs / New Continuation Cobras???

« on: April 26, 2013, 11:27:18 »

Barrie, you can count 2 enthusiasts (I'm sure there are lots more!) who value the badge. 'Replicas' fill a demand in the market, and the makers should have pride in what they create. The AC company have a difficult task to survive in an era where economy of scale of production has become the norm. And development costs for modern levels of reliability are no doubt huge. So the company may have no option but to do whatever is possible to keep afloat. With healthy finances in the future, then maybe new models to stir the blood will emerge? I think most AC enthusiasts are inherently "optimists"!

52

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / C&SC Greyhound article

« on: April 12, 2013, 22:15:16 »

Evidently that magazine has not improved since I stopped reading it in 1993! But a few journalists like to "trash" things, as it makes them appear expert (at least to a few). I've long been a great admirer of the Greyhound's design. Fundamentally very sound, and I would guess has plenty of potential to be tweaked into a really great car. I'm not an owner (yet), so I'm guessing. The price of Bristols when new means that they were not direct competitors for ACs.

53

Vintage, PVT & 2 Litre Forum / Ac cars 1949 drophead 2L for sale in New Zealand

« on: February 26, 2013, 15:46:37 »

KUR 363 (EL1127) had cut-away door tops and early side lamp mountings. The very first Buckland, EL1036, had a unique style of doors not unlike the Saloons. Reg. numbers have sometimes swapped between Bucklands (and Saloons) so it gets confusing!

54

Vintage, PVT & 2 Litre Forum / Ac cars 1949 drophead 2L for sale in New Zealand

« on: February 20, 2013, 22:21:48 »

If the drophead is an original one, then it is a very rare find. The panelling inside the boot area has been modified. I wonder what it's condition is (under the skin)?

55

Vintage, PVT & 2 Litre Forum / 4 door Saloon on ebay.

« on: August 01, 2014, 00:02:08 »

A 1954, 4 door Saloon has come up on ebay in the UK. This one is not known to me. Looks good in the photos. I notice that it has a failed water-pump bearing. I used to be able to swap water-pumps over (to the spare!) faster than an F1 team changes wheels.
   
   http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1954-AC-2-Litre-Saloon-Barn-Find-British-Classic-Car-/361009476624?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
   
   I suspect it has radial tyres too, as they are under-size (quite a few AC 2 Litres have undersize radials).
   
   Ian

56

Ace 'Brooklands' Forum / Rare sighting!

« on: May 18, 2014, 11:39:19 »

Rare, for me at least, to spot any AC passing my house. Last time was over 20 years ago, a 1935 16/70. Last time I saw a Brooklands Ace was at the 1997 National Day.
   
   A Brooklands Ace sailed passed a couple of times this sunny Sunday morning, and I managed to snap a pic. The occupants failed to spot my undressed 2 Litre in my open garage (someone ask this gent to slow down []  ).
   
   http://www.ac2litre.com/ACBrooklandsAceinOadby.jpg
   
   Hope the above image link worked.
   
   Ian

57

Vintage, PVT & 2 Litre Forum / 1955 2 Litre for sale in Somerset.

« on: April 22, 2014, 00:24:25 »

A 2 door Saloon has been put up for sale in Somerset (trade). Registered 1955, but I believe is one of those actually constructed a little earlier, but delayed by the launch of the 4 door version. This car features non-original rear wheel spats. I used to correspond with its owner, and it appeared to be in very fine condition. I recall it had a non-standard new fuel supply system installed (I almost had a fit at that news, as I suspected a blocked fuel line, not a design fault!). So check that it runs okay on that system if you take it for a test run.
   
   A rare chance to drive away a 2 Litre:
   
   http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C489603#

58

Vintage, PVT & 2 Litre Forum / 2 Litre barn find on ebay.

« on: January 19, 2014, 23:02:41 »

Another post-war Saloon has emerged in Surrey. At AC Heritage, Brooklands, in fact. It just needs a bit of work doing, as the saying goes! Full restoration needed, but the panels look pretty straight, apart from the usual weld splits at the rear:
   
   http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-2-Litre-Saloon-Barn-Find-/331108797909?clk_rvr_id=575496839483
   
   I don't know it's ID, but would date it at about 1951/52.

59

Vintage, PVT & 2 Litre Forum / Genuine 2 Litre DHC for sale.

« on: November 28, 2013, 14:12:47 »

An original postwar drophead has come up for sale in Belgium. I can identify it as chassis L970 that used to be painted dark blue when it was in the UK.
   
   http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C455010#
   
   Whether it will go for 57.5K Euros, remains to be seen!

60

Vintage, PVT & 2 Litre Forum / Postwar DHC for sale.

« on: November 11, 2013, 16:56:01 »

It's not every day a 2 Litre DHC comes up for sale, and restored too. It's in the Czech Republic and is right-hand drive:
   
   http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/ac/2-litre/1949/213721/
   
   I can't identify it to comfirm if it's an original drophead or not.