Renewed Hope?

[jbottini]

AC Cars to be Manufactured in Michigan
   Written by Webmaster
   Monday, April 21 2008
   APRIL 21, 2008
   Acedes Holdings, LLC (“AC Cars”) has today announced that it will be manufacturing certain derivatives of its heritage product in the USA. The vehicles will be manufactured by its manufacturing partner, AC AutoKraft, LLC.(“AC AutoKraft”)
   
   
   AC AutoKraft is a newly formed business founded by Mitchell Lampert and Brent Fenimore. Mr. Lampert is the CEO of Waco Classic Aircraft Corporation, Inc. (“Waco Classic”) and Centennial Aircraft Services, Inc. (“Centennial”). Waco Classic is the manufacturer of the world-renowned Waco YMF-5 open cockpit Biplane. Centennial is a multiple National Grand Champion award winning vintage aircraft restoration business. Waco and Centennial jointly employ 35 highly skilled craftsmen and women and are both known worldwide for quality workmanship fit and finish. Waco Classic and Centennial are co-located in a 30,000 ft2 facility in Battle Creek, Michigan. (www.wacoclassic.com ).
   
   Brent Fenimore has spent twenty plus years in the niche vehicle industry serving in multiple capacities. Fenimore worked directly with Carroll Shelby for nine years in the development of Shelby American and Shelby Automobiles with his final capacity being Vice President and General Manager of the Shelby Companies located in Las Vegas. Fenimore managed day to day operations of the companies to include the engineering, development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution of multiple vehicle platforms and has worked extensively with AC Cars, Ltd on the MKI, MKII and MKIII vehicle lines over the past five years.
   
   Asked why he has decided to start manufacturing cars, Mr. Lampert replied that he has always been an avid AC fan, and as a former AC Mark III owner he is well aware of the demand and desirability of these outstanding automobiles. Mr. Lampert further explained that the process of manufacturing the ultra-exclusive Waco YMF-5 is similar to that which will be employed in the manufacture of the AC Ace, MkII and MkIII.
   
   AC AutoKraft will utilize modern low volume tooling to manufacture composite and a limited number of aluminum versions of the famous AC Ace, the forerunner and car on which the AC Cobra was based, the AC MK11 and the AC MK111 . It is expected that AC AutoKraft will start manufacturing this summer. AC AutoKraft has also been appointed as an official factory approved AC restoration center and will be undertaking all types of restoration work on AC heritage product.
   
   Contact:
   
   AC Cars: info@accarseurope.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
   AC Autokraft: mitch@acautokraft.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
   
   
   
   Last Updated ( Monday, April 21 2008 )
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[cobham cobra]

Amazing, just when you think you are getting to the end of the last chapter of the book someone pops up and starts writing a whole new chapter.
   So where is A.L. in all of this ? Does the tooling in Malta get relocated and what happens to the all important build records of AC Cars ? Maybe the spares will be cheaper if they are priced in dollars ?

[Robin A Woolmer]

So what about the oldest UK car manufacturer claim? I think it is Morgan!

[nikbj68]

quote:Originally posted by jbottini
   
AC Cars to be Manufactured in Michigan
   ...
   Monday, April 21 2008
   ...Acedes Holdings, LLC (“AC Cars”) has today announced that it will be manufacturing certain derivatives of its heritage product in the USA. The vehicles will be manufactured by its manufacturing partner, AC AutoKraft, LLC.(“AC AutoKraft”)
   ...

   Well spotted, Jim, but what about this then?
   
   London, April 22, 2008:
   
   Acedes Holdings, LLC, owner of the AC brand ("AC"), announces a manufacturing partnership with Brooklands Motor Company. Brooklands Motor Company is licensed as the sole UK agent for the manufacture, sales and service of AC Historic vehicles. Steve Gray, Brooklands Proprietor, and his team are renowned as the most experienced in the AC brand in the UK, many with 25 years experience with the marque. - Their fleet of Cobra demonstrators Include 427 SC - 289 FIA - 289 roadster - CRS - And Ken Rudd’s Pioneer Ruddspeed Ace. Brooklands Motor Company has been located in Jack Brabham’s former workshops in Weybridge for the past two decades and is in the process of restoring an additional facility located in the old member’s restuarant at the top of the test hill at Brooklands. The Brooklands circuit, dating back to 1907, is seen as the home of motor racing and where AC set many records and gained race trophies, it is therefore an ideal setting for ”New Era" venture and a new home for AC Heritage. When complete this facility will act as a working museum. The general public and potential customers will be able to visit the site and witness the craftsmen manufacturing the hand formed body panels on the original body jigs. Also a "Centre of Excellence” youth Academy scheme is included for school leavers and apprentices.
   
   The continuation series of the original AC Ace, the AC MK11, the AC MK11 FIA and the AC MK111 will be manufactured. All manufacturing, restoration and servicing of AC heritage products are AC factory approved. The facility will include historic AC items and records, and displays. There will be a comprehensive store of spare parts and merchandise available.
   Brooklands, on behalf of AC, have recently supported a number of events including the AC garage the Goodwood Revival event, a motoring celebration of the Queen’s 80th birthday at Buckingham Palace, and an AC display at the centenary celebrations of Brooklands circuit plus a display and test drives of AC cars at the Wings and Wheels event at Dunsfold Aerodrome. AC and Brooklands will be at Brooklands Motoring Festival 2008 28/29th June and Wings and Wheels at Dunsfold on 24th August.
   
   Congratulations to Steve Gray("AC Heritage" here on the ACOC forum).
   
   Should he be building Deloreans though?
   
   With thanks to Marty McFly for delivering this message dated tomorrow, 22nd April!

[jbottini]

one Us and one UK....room for two!

[jbottini]

I fell for it!!!

[jbottini]

turns out to be real

[Mark IV]

Episode four, "A New Hope"....................remember that the "cute kid" later on becomes "the Dark Lord of the Sith" Methinks we have no Jedis to save AC.

[Classicus]

quote:Originally posted by cobham cobra
   
So where is A.L. in all of this ?

   Seems he is or was "Chairman of Acedes Holdings, LLC, which owns the AC marque...."
   
   1. http://www.xs4all.nl/~luukb/news8.html
   
   2. http://www.xs4all.nl/~luukb/news.html

[cobham cobra]

More news on AC Cars coming back to the UK (and Michigan) I guess this will be Brooklands Motor Company in the UK. Many of Steve Gray's people are ex AC, it's nice to think they will linked to AC Cars again.
   John.
   
   
   http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/232408/

[Chafford]

I'm hoping this is an arrangement similar to the original one between AC and Autokraft i.e. use of the AC trademark but otherwise no financial dealings with Acedes.

[dave]

Takling about "The next chapter"
   Lets hope the build quality returns to Jane Austin standards, comment removed by moderator . And the new manufacturers are a little more interested in the Mark than just the money.