Description
Complied by R M Clarke, Hardbound, 428 Pages, ISBN: 9781855208728, 1st Edition, 2011
A portfolio of international articles drawn from leading motoring journals covering AC models between 1904 and 2009. Models reported on include the Sociable, Fivet, Empire, Royal, Magna, March, 16/56 to 16/90, Ace, Aceca, Greyhound, Two-Litre, Cobra including Shelby, Frua and 3000ME
AC Cars - an Overview
By Brian Gilbart-Smith, President, AC Owners' Club
The origins of AC Cars start with engineer John Weller designing a powered delivery vehicle for his local butcher, John Portwine. The two became close business partners, with the energetic and entrepreneurial Portwine providing finance and business acumen to complement the inventive Weller's burgeoning engineering talent.
Their Company flourished in the new world of mechanised personal transport. But, surely, neither could have foreseen just what they had started. Through the combined endeavours of talented engineers, skilled craftsmen and astute management, the business they founded was to span more than 100 years, manufacturing vehicles ranging from that first single cylinder three-wheeler delivery vehicle through a succession of elegant bespoke touring and sports cars to one of the world's most iconic sports cars.
Almost from the outset the cars were entered in competitive events. Successes included awards in early trials, records in speed events, outright wins in international rallies, and a world championship in motor racing. Drivers too were some of the most talented on the world scene. With that success came public recognition, the Marque often featuring in the motoring press, and sometimes making front page news, with reports on their exploits, technical ingenuity, and new models.
But, matters were not always that rosy. Business inevitably fluctuated with the times, and fortunes were both made and lost. Nevertheless, through it all the cars have survived and the spirit has thrived, and today we have the good fortune to continue enjoyment of the fruits of more than a century of achievement by our illustrious forebears.
In combining much of the commentary from period journals, this book allows a much greater appreciation of the scale and scope of those achievements, and will enable us all to enhance, and share, our enjoyment of AC cars.
Acknowledgements
Brooklands Books has been publishing 'road test' books on a wide range of makes and models for over 50 years. This 428 page compendium is our tribute to AC Cars and recalls over a hundred years of their models.
The purpose of the book is to trace AC's history through the pages of contemporary magazine articles from 1904 through to the present day. Some of the pages are not of the quality we would have liked and for that we apologise. Some have, it must be remembered, been taken from masazines and brochures etc., that are over 100 years old and were initially printed on newsprint quality paper and others even from photocopies. It is however the information that we believe to be of interest, which is our reason for their inclusion.
A work of this nature relies on the help and co-operation of many people and organisations. First and foremost our thanks go to the AC Owners Club and in particular to John Spencer. the Club's archivist, who has helped us in so many ways. He has written introductions, loaned us invaluable archival material from their library, organised the photographs that can be found on our dust-jacket and liaised on our behalf with the editor of the club magazine. This book would not have come about if it had not been for his help. Our thanks also go to Sue, his lovely wife, who spoilt us with a splendid lunch when we visited.
We are also indebted to members of the AC Owners' Club, AC Owners Club Registrars past and present, the Editors of ACtion magazine past and present, both in poviding information and ensuring the Foreword and Overviews are, to the best of their ability, factually accurate. These include John Arnold, Tony Bancroft, Glen Burnage, Nigel Cox, Tom Dine, Colin Dunn, All Faulkner-Stevens, Eric Gates, Brian Gilbart-Smith, John Goose, Steve Hall, Bill Holgate, Tim hies. Bob Langley. John Lewis, Mike Lowes, Tony Michaels, John Norris, Terry Richards, Ian Rogers, Andy Shepherd. Linzi Smart, Sam Smart, Mike Smith, Bryan Spooner, Robin Stainer, Simon Taylor, Rodne. Thomas and Terry Webb.
With regard to photographs, the following members were kind enough to source suitable pictures for our dust jacket: Bob Langley, John Norris, Linzi Smart, John Spencer and Terry Webb. These pictures are the copyright of - Front cover: Mirco de Cet. Back cover: AC Cars Ltd. Mike Dawes, Martyn Garbutt, Brian Gilbart-Smith, Graham Murrell, P;eter de Rousset-Hall. Linz/ Smart www_smartpics.co.uk and John Spencer.
The AC Owners' Club acknowledges using the following publications as sources of reference: The sales and advertising literature, and press statements, of Weller Bros. Aura:ars & Accessories Ltd., Auto-Carriers Ltd., Auto-Carriers (1911) Ltd., AC (Acedes) Cars Ltd.. AC Cars Ltd. AC Car Group Ltd. and related companies. The company records of Auto-Carriers Ltd., Auto-Carriers (1911) Ltd.. AC (Ac,edes) Cars Ltd., AC Cars Ltd. and the Production Ledger for AC (Acedes) Cars Ltd. and AC Cars Ltd. The History of AC Cars Ltd by RG Henderson Published by Fullerton and Lloyd (Publishers) Ltd., AC Cobra by Rinsey Mills Published by Haynes Publishing, AC Six-Cylinder Sports Cars In Detail by Rinsey Mills Published by Herridge & Sons Ltd., and The Stuart Wallace Archive. The Resisters of the AC Owners' Club 1910 - 2009 and the AC Owners' Club Archive.
None of our 'road test' books could or would exist if it was, not for the understanding and generosity of the publishers of the world's leading motoring journal who, for over 50 years. have allowed us to include their invaluable copyright stories. We are sure that AC owners and historians will wish to join with us in thanking the managements of the following magazines for their ongoing support: Auto, Autocar, Autocourse, Automobile, AutoMotor Journal, Autosport, Car, Car and Driver. Car and Driver Year Book, Car Life, Car South Africa, Classic and Sports Car, Classic Car, Classic Cars, Classic Cars & Specials, Cyclecar, Evo, Light Car, Light Car and Cyclecar, Modern Motor, Motor, Motor Racing, Motor Sport, Motor Traction, Motor Trend, Performance Car, Practical Classics, Practical Motorist, Road & Track, Road Test, Sports Car Graphic, Sports Car Illustrated, Sports Car International, Sports Car World, Top Gear, Wheels and the World Car Catalogue.
R.M. Clarke
