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Copy of Letter Published in ACtion Vol 14, No2 page 4 January 20th 1964. Mr Randy Smith (Secretary)
The AC Owners Club Ltd
3630 East 56th Street
Tulsa 35, Oklahoma.
Dear Mr Smith.
Thank you for your letter dated January 1st 1964, regarding AC Owners Club.
My particular AC was one which the factory raced at Sebring in 1958. It has a large gas tank and a 4" filler- the whole bit.
When I first acquired it, I dropped a 327 Chevrolet in it with the chevrolet 4 speed, used the standard ENV and Axles, stepped on the gas very lightly and had
absolutely no problems. At the same time, I can assure you I never punched it until I was way past the wheel spin stage.
My first project was to throw away the lousy steering set up and install rack and pinion from Morris Minor.
Next stage was to throw the front end away and install a standard Ford Fairlane strut type suspension, utilizing drum brakes with a Lincoln aluminium Drum,
11" x 3 1/2". For the rear I installed Corvette Stingray centre section, made steel fabricated hub carriers, using stub axles with permanent lubricated ball bearings,
instead of their mickey mouse taper bearing set up, with .007 to .001 clearances. I made up spicer half shafts using 13-10 U joints all the way.
So far this has proven to be a very rugged chassis, as I have never had any problems.
Now I run the 289 High performance stock engine around town, When I go racing, I use anything from 221 to a 350 cubic inch job, all based on Fairlane blocks.
It depends on how fast I want to go on which engine I use. I have Ellborn Fuel injection which I feel does a very fine job. I use standard 289 cam and kit,
and I do use Chevrolet fuel injection valves throughout in stadard 289 cylinder heads, ported. For compression I use deflector type pistons.
I use standard Chevrolet 4 speed transmission with the short tail.
All in all I find this to be a very enjoyable car.
In one recent trip to Bonniville, I put up an average speed of 100 miles per hour for 780 miles, most of this in Nevada where there are no speed limitations.
Some stretches of road I achieved an overall average of 126 mph. needless to say, I would not have felt very safe with the standard components,
even though my car still tips the beam at 2040pounds, using 50-50 distribution.
I plan to run this car for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb this year (1964) and I am now in the process of dumping the body in favor of a Devin fibreglass,
so about the only thing from AC I will have left will be two pieces os 3" tubing!
I certainly enjoyed your letter, and enjoyred reading your monthly bulletin.
A K Miller
Ford Performance Advisor. But such tubing, and where are they now ? Ed. Chassis Number ...[?]
Does any of this Ace exist... [?] , What became of the Body...[?]
Fasinating reading but I'm left speechless....[:0]...[
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Keith..[
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