Messages

31

General Forum / AC Cars VIN tag script?

« on: October 01, 2010, 15:25:37 »

Thinking now maybe I should use a personal form of letters/numbers for my AC VIN tag..
   I gather Carroll Shelby used the "CS"X designation for his name so, I could use "BS" for the first two initials of my name, (since I built it),the X as it is left hand drive, and then 6803, as this is both the last four numerals of my frame #, as well they are also the last four numbers of my Provincial official VIN tag.
   
   So how about "BSX6803"? []
   This way I would hope not to offend any original owners, and I don't believe in trying to fool anyone in to thinking otherwise by using an original type VIN, (as I have seen on some replicas). Using that VIN may also stimulate some conversation with anyone that is familiar with the numbering system used on the original cars.
   What do you think?

32

General Forum / AC Cars VIN tag script?

« on: September 29, 2010, 07:25:38 »

Thanks Jay!
    I really should have remembered BEX..sheesh[:I].
   Any idea what the X stood for?

33

General Forum / AC Cars VIN tag script?

« on: September 26, 2010, 16:13:26 »

Still hoping for an answer...
   
   What numbers/letters, did the AC Bristol and Aces use on their VIN tags?
   For example, the Cobras used "CSX", did Bristol Aces have "ACB-xxxx" Aces have "ACA-xxxx" sort of thing?
   
   Thanks

34

General Forum / AC Cars VIN tag script?

« on: September 19, 2010, 03:06:24 »

If the Cobra's and the AC cars, Aces, Bristols, (whose prices are climbing) weren't so expensive, I would love to own one!
   At least I can get a the same thrill out of driving a replica. The acceleration is unbelievable, the handling superb. Comfort wise it's pretty darn close to an original..lol []
   
   I won't try to bluff anyone into believing it is an original, and will always answer truthfully if asked, what exactly it is. I will tell them this is a tribute to honor the marque, that I can't possibly afford..[]
   
   Jay, thanks for the picture. I found out today that a freind may have a set of punch's I can borrow. Might be interesting trying to fit a seventeen digit VIN in that space..hmmm
   What VIN numbers did the AC Bristol and Aces use, as to pre-fix? I can't remember, it's been so long since I've seen an original.
   
   I still have to affix the BC Provincial assigned VIN tag to the roadster,,that will be the official one..

35

General Forum / AC Cars VIN tag script?

« on: September 18, 2010, 18:07:35 »

quote:Originally posted by jrlucke
   
Is this an AC or a Factory Five Racing replica?
   

   
   It is a FFR, which FFR actually intended to be a Cobra 427S/C replica.
   
    I have always felt that AC Cars were never given enough credit, or recognition, for the important role they played in the development of the Cobra. My first "taste" of the roadster at a very young age, well prior to Shelby's involvement, was an AC Bristol.
   
   I felt it was appropriate to expose the AC Cars involvement, so I have badged my roadster with the AC emblems, and will add the AC Cars, Thames Ditton, VIN tag. I have the AC logo steering wheel center cap. Where the "Powered by Ford 427" badge was placed above the fender side vent, I will have Union Jack badges. I also have an "England" grille badge that will be added, after I make the egg crate style grille. I will not be adding stripes to the car, and have leaned towards painting it a dark green, although silver is another possibility. I have to think about this a little more..
   Further to this I hope to add wire spoke wheels in the future to further the early AC Cars image. (not cheap!) I'd also love to add a "UK" decal to the rear boot, if I can find one..might not be easy in Canada...(Donations welcome..[]) Future enhancements may include rectangular taillights, and AC pedal pads.
   
   My intentions are to stimulate questions from the curious, who may already have some knowledge of the Shelby Cobra, but may not be aware of the AC Cars role in it's history, or it's British heritage. Having British ancestry myself, I'd like to see some credit given where credit is due.
   
   I know my roadster will be a hybrid of types in that it is not authentic looking AC, nor authentic looking Shelby Cobra..I'm having to work with what I have.. and with what I can afford..[]
   
   Work in progress
   

36

General Forum / AC Cars VIN tag script?

« on: September 17, 2010, 19:05:14 »

Thanks for the information! I could probably get mine stamped at a trophy shop as I expect they have the tools.
   
   I have seen some of the Shelby Cobra tags hand scribed, but since mine is the AC Cars tag, I was wanting to stay traditional. []

37

General Forum / Emblem (Badge) History?

« on: September 11, 2010, 15:34:35 »

It would be wonderful if someone documented the history of the badges, as that area of the AC Car vehicle history seems to have been ignored for the most part.
   
   I thought perhaps the AC Ace may have had one style, while the AC Bristol another, the Aceca yet another again, with body shape being a factor. That, or that certain production years had certain badges, with change ups occurring every few years.
    It would be expected that Shelby would have changed them over to the Cobra badging, but the fact that some of the early 260's may still have had AC badges is quite interesting. I wonder which ones they had when they left England. Is there a box of them still sitting in a Shelby warehouse..be a nice find!
   Not to long back I saw an original AC large script badge on ebay. It went for pretty good money!
   
   I have only seen one photo of a roadster with the grille badge. This was attached low down on the grille, using a bracket mounted to the body, rather than the grille itself. I presumed that this was a owner done modification, not realizing some may have left the factory like that. I have never seen replicas of those badges being offered.
   
   Is anyone aware if any American slabsides left the Ford dealerships with AC badge on the rear, and a Cobra badge on the front. I have seen two or three like that, but wasn't sure how that came to be.
   
   I was only able to find the large script badges after doing quite a bit of searching, so that's what I ended up with on my roadster.
   Pictured here with a temporary grille installed.
   

38

General Forum / Windshield strength

« on: September 09, 2010, 15:18:37 »

I was suprised that there were no comments whatsoever regarding this topic, considering the number of views. I gather from the silence, that there never has been any issues with them loosening, or means of improving the mounting method?

39

General Forum / AC bellhousing and gearbox - any ideas?

« on: September 09, 2010, 15:07:00 »

Did some moss trannys have the AC embossed inspection plate?

40

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Racing History BEX333 (1957-1964)

« on: August 12, 2010, 18:43:45 »

Kieth, a very interesting, and impressive read on the dilligence you have applied to gather the history of your AC.
   
   I lived in Vancouver, and attended many of the races at the Westwood circuit, starting in approx 1963-64 up till the time of it's closing.
   My sister was dating a fellow who owned a AC Bristol, so naturally I was drawn to them, and then later, the AC Cobra's. It wouldn't surprise me that in my very old collection of black and white photos from Westwood, there may be a picture or two of a Bristol. There were not many racing in those days, and very few on the streets of Vancouver.
   
   I wish I knew the SN# of the AC that my sisters boyfriend owned. It would be interesting to see what became of that particular car.
   
   I do know that Wayne Laker of Vancouver (sisters BF), purchased it from a lady in Vancouver who had recently divorced from her husband. She sold it for $600 perhaps just to spite him. The husband tracked down Wayne,  and offered to buy it back for much more, but it was a no go.
   This transaction would have taken place around 1962-63. This car was painted stock red. At some point a tow truck tried towing the car and damaged the lower front area under the grille. This was repaired and the car repainted the same colour red.
   
   Wayne owned this car for approx 3 years until he was offered a trade that he couldn't resist. The fellow who offered the trade, would have likely been a racer from the Westwood track. The offer was a trade for a Lotus 23b on a trailer, and a 57 Chevy for the tow vehicle. The 23b was powered by a Cosworth engine, and had a fibreglass body. It was painted British racing green, with yellow stripes. If I could track down who raced that car, "prior" to the trade, it might help track the history of the AC. It may very well have ended up being raced at Westwood. In your research did you find any AC Bristols, red in colour, being raced at that track? Perhaps it was repainted...was yours ever red in color?
   
   My photographs from that time frame, are well buried after a recent move, but I will see if I can locate them, and see if there are any that may be of interest to you.
   
   Bill

41

General Forum / Mirror mounting locations

« on: August 12, 2010, 18:05:50 »

The windscreen post does seem likely the most practical for good rear view, although not traditional.
   
   Kieth, I wonder about using the pre-tapped frame hole, strenght-wise, as the thread size is rather small, and there is only few threads holding the existing screw. Being the frame is also made of soft brass, is there really enough strength to hold the weight of a chrome bullet mirror securely, as it hits road bumps, etc.? Did you simply use the one mounting screw point to hold it, and no other means of support?
   
   Jay, I have seen a commercially available mirror bracket for roadster mirrors mounted on the windscreen sides. I enjoy making things and it looks like it would be easy replicate. I believe it mounts to the windscreen support posts rather than the frame. How does your bracket attach?

42

General Forum / Emblems. retainer pins or tape?

« on: August 12, 2010, 17:10:16 »

Actually those would work well for me. Are they designed for the cast type badges or do they only work on plastic ones?

43

General Forum / Grille construction question

« on: August 11, 2010, 18:37:42 »

Thanks for the grille pictures Jay! It would be quite a job trying to fabricate one without special tools and equipment. I think I will opt for a look alike, of much simpler construction.
   
   Jonathan, Thanks for the offer of the "look see" of your grille. I do get to Vancouver from time to time, and would love to look at your ACE in the flesh.
   I don't suppose you know where or who, ended up with the ACE (or AC Bristol), that was getting a restoration estimate at XJ Motors a few years back? I know Vancouver is a big city, but I thought the AC owners may have contact with one another there.
   The car I saw there apparently sold for $6000, as the owner who took it in for the estimate didn't want to spend the money to restore it..so the story goes. I kick myself for not having contacted the owner myself when I first saw it, as I never dreamed he would sell it, especially for that price..such is life..

44

General Forum / Grille construction question

« on: August 03, 2010, 08:01:36 »

Jay That wasn't me, this is my first and only!
   
   I sent you my email address. I really appreciate the pictures. Good pictures are worth a thousand words in trying to describe their construction..Thanks![]
   
   Kieth, I imagine that the custom made grilles you speak of could be very expensive if they are like the others replacement ones I've seen for sale.[:0]
   I have already planned to do mine in stainless steel. I have purchased the flat steel already, and planed on getting it run through a metal brake to give it a little lip at the front. I'm just not sure about the outer rim that all the grille slats fit to. How they are attached to that for instance, and how in turn the grille itself is mounted to the body. IE brackets behind the grille top and bottom, or at the sides etc..or if the outer rim is simply screwed on to the body with nuts and bolts, or self-tapping screws..

45

General Forum / Grille construction question

« on: July 31, 2010, 18:46:36 »

Nobody? Even a close up picture would do..