Topics

1

Ace 'Brooklands' Forum / 1998 Ace for sale - worth it?

« on: February 04, 2018, 21:13:40 »

Since spotting an Ace in north London (1996 or 97) I have thought about getting one. Not possible until recently. And now this:

https://www.buyyourcar.co.uk/used-car/adv/ac/ace/sat_3068_560232303108102

Simple question - are the post-Angliss cars not as good as the earlier ones?

I understand the chassis is different and the bonnet is plastic. The road tests were less favourable in 1998 than in 1994.

I do prefer the twin headlight/line on the door look, and have (aeroplane) connections to Brooklands, but recognise this could be my one chance before I am talked out of it by my better half.

2

General Forum / AC town car - 1970s

« on: January 07, 2014, 17:33:47 »

Happy New Year to all.
   
   I wonder if anyone knows anything more about the 'town car' AC planned in the early 1970s?
   
   I assume it led to the Sociable and Petite prototypes shown here:
   http://istenbizony.hu/tag/sociable/
   
   I assume the three wheeler was based on the Model 70 Invacar mechanicals that AC designed and built, although wih a possible Bristol engine rather than Steyr Puch?
   
   I know these were not the type of cars AC's image relied on, but my interest is in how they kept the business alive in that period. The picture of the Diablo/3000ME prototype amid Invacar doors shown here:
   
   http://www.ac3000me.com/ac3000me/images/stories/site/production-05.jpg
   
   is illuminating, but maybe there were plans for a wider family of vehicles?

3

3000ME Forum / Ghia/Lincoln Quicksilver for sale - Jan 2014

« on: December 01, 2013, 21:37:32 »

The Ghia/Lincoln Quicksilver is up for auction again next month (second time in a year):
   
   http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=FL0114-173583

4

3000ME Forum / Ghia Quicksilver for sale - today!

« on: May 11, 2013, 12:25:12 »

http://www.auctionsamerica.com/events/feature-lots.cfm?SaleCode=AS13&ID=r380&Order=runorder&feature=&collection=&grouping=&category=Cars

5

3000ME Forum / AC 3000ME Lotus Espirit S3 comparison

« on: March 22, 2013, 16:20:18 »

An interesting article comparing the two cars from 1986:
   
   http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/ClassicnSportscar_Jan86.html
   
   includes comments from Derek Hurlock and details of the company's travails during 1973-85.

6

General Forum / AC 1973-1985 questions

« on: January 03, 2013, 11:20:06 »

I am researching the history of AC Cars, a 'spin off' from work on the history of Sopwith/Hawker at Kingston (http://www.kingstonaviation.org), where some AC car bodies were built in the 1920s.
   
   Although books and the internet are useful (inc. this forum - http://www.acownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2091&SearchTerms=thames,ditton,factory), there is a gap for much of the period 1973-1985. The 428 had ended production, the Invacars went out of production (76/77) and the 3000ME was in development or low rate production, but what else was the factory doing?
   
   I used to cycle to my school sports field through Thames Ditton in the early 1980s and the factory seemed very large to justify the few 3000MEs built each year.
   
   I have found a few things that are of interest, but wondered if forum members knew more.
   
   1. The link to Unipower. AC were building Unipower fire engines (chassis at least) in the 1970s. I have found a few mentions (Wikipedia - I know!!!) that AC bought Unipower in the 1970s. Is that true? Also, was there a link from the Unipower GT to the 3000ME?
   
   2. There was a 1973/74 'new' Petite 3 wheeler and 4 wheel 'Sociable' (see http://home.clara.net/peterfrost/acpetite.html and http://www.shorey.net/Auto/British/AC/htmltree.html). Anyone know more?
   
   3. Any idea of employee numbers/turnover for the period?
   
   Thanks in advance for any help you can give.