Possible Early Onset Insanity

[CRS9505]

I'm contemplating an Ace Brooklands - am I mad to even consider it given I do not maintain my own CRS?
   I believe they failed because they were poorly designed and executed or is this from the same myth stable as how bad 428s were at the time?
   Any input wecome.
   
   Thanks
   Mike[]

[DGoose]

Mike,
   
   Not sure where you got your info from as the Angliss cars are certainly well made and put together very nicely.
   For a non biased opinion check out the period road tests by luminaries of the motoring world such as LJK Setright - very, very positive.
   
   I guess like all things hand made and in small volume, improvements can and possibly will have been carried out over time.
   Undoubtedly expect a greater degree of maintenance than with a CRS due to the greater levels of equipment and associated complexity.
   
   Electrical items are mainly Ford so easy to source but in some instances adapted slightly to suit the car, an example of this is the electric door locking mechanism which although standard ford Granada had an aftermarket micro switch attached to it by AC.
   This simple switch lowers the electric windows when the door is opened, to prevent the window glass fouling the hood, and raises the windows when the door is locked from outside the car -  all very simple once you've worked it out []
   
   Even the power hood, should it be having an off day, can be raised and lowered manually without any great effort.
   
   Early cars are mechanically very straightforward Mustang 5.0L + an extra 35BHP thanks to GT40 intake an larger throttle body.
   
   Speak to people in the club who have spent time with these cars and you'll get pretty positive response. I've certainly been very pleased with my purchase and would rate the car very highly as an accomplished, comfortable long distance GT - which is exactly what they were designed to be.
   
   I'm sure there will be several cars at the national day if want a proper look around.
   
   
   David G

[Chafford]

Mike
   
   
   Also worth getting hold of a back issue of the August 2011 'Classic Cars'- there's a comprehensive buyers guide for the Ace Brooklands (which David contributed to!)
   
   Back issues tel no: 0845 601 1356
   
   Neil Fisher at Redline Engineering is also worth contacting about the Brooklands - he recommends the 1993-96 cars rather than the later cars.
   
   http://www.redlinepe.co.uk/contact-us
   
   
   Mark

[DGoose]

Mike,
   
   Scans below of LJK Setright road test from Car Magazine December 1993. This article along with other equally enthusiastic reports suggest that the Ace could have / should sold rather better than it did. The car tested is the first production car from November 1993 which is still in the ownership of a long standing club member.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Even with the original Angliss cars there was evolution through the production run with the first handful of 1994 cars + the 1993 car featured in the article above benefiting from useful power upgrades, very late cars from 1996 have subtle design changes to the rear deck and boot lid + Mondeo rather than Escort door handles on the last couple.
   Owning both an early (DE1017) and a late Model (DE1055) it would seem that a good number of minor changes were made beneath the skin also.
   I guess no two are exactly the same.
   
   As a point of interest I was told by an informed source recently that each of these Cars cost AC's upward of 200k to produce, presumably including a split of the development cost. Makes the current asking prices seem very reasonable.
   
   David

[CRS9505]

Thanks for the info David, no one wrote like LJK, I wonder how many cars from all manufacturers sold entirely on his wonderful prose?
   Is there any maked difference between the manual and auto models ?

[CRS9505]

Thanks Mark,
   Just had the conversation re Angliss and Lubinski models.....the usual problem for me of form over function as I prefer the look of the later cars. I shall wait to see what turns up at Stonor hopefully at least one of each)before making a decision.

[DGoose]

Mike,
   
   Not sure about the Auto as have never driven one, I would imagine an Auto would suit the car well as the manual box seems rather low geared in 1st & 2nd and has such a huge gap between 4th & 5th that 5th really is just an overdrive.
   
   Pic below taken in the Scottish rain shows the major external difference between Angliss & Lubinski models, the twin headlight early cars were criticised initially for having a slightly bug eyed look to the alloy bonnet.
   
   The late model belongs to Brian Wood and is a factory car, it has the advantage of Quad Cam power and the composite bonnet has vents and bulge which not all do. Lubinski cars lost the bump strip along the flanks which can be a real pain on earlier models.
   
   I think both snouts look good with the later car looking sleeker and more modern if a little less distinctive.