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.
