AC Petite

AC Cars (originally established as Auto Carriers Ltd.) was a British automotive manufacturer that was established in 1901. Throughout its history, AC has dealt with numerous corporate, financial, and ownership troubles, yet in spite of these issues, the company has created some of the most highly regarded and recognizable models in the motoring world. Beginning with models such as the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/ac/sociable/">Sociable</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/ac/12hp/">12HP</a>, and <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/ac/six/">Six</a>, the company established itself as a serious player in the early British automotive market. Yet it was later models like the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/ac/2-litre/">2-Litre</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/ac/aceca/">Aceca</a>, and <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/ac/greyhound/">Greyhound</a> that cemented AC&#39;s position amongst the world&#39;s top sports car makers. Of all of it&#39;s creation&#39;s, AC&#39;s most iconic model was the <a href="http://www.classic.com/m/ac/ace/">Ace</a>, a successful and capable car in its own right, the Ace would be the platform Carroll Shelby would use to create the legendary <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/shelby/cobra/">Shelby Cobra</a>. Corporate troubles saw AC&#39;s fortunes decline, with few models built before the company was sold in 1986, with the AC name being used to this day.

AC Cars (originally established as Auto Carriers Ltd.) was a British automotive manufacturer that was established in 1901. Throughout its…

The AC Petite was a family of microcars that was introduced in 1952. The Petite was a rear-engined three-wheeler, fitted with one wheel in the front and two in the rear. This series of cars only featured two seats, and featured a notchback saloon body style. Power came from a 350cc single cylinder engine driving the rear wheels. Production of the AC Petite lasted until 1957, with an estimated 4000 examples built.

The AC Petite was a family of microcars that was introduced in 1952. The Petite was a rear-engined three-wheeler, fitted with one wheel in…

Petite

AC Sociable

The AC Sociable was a family of three-wheelers introduced in 1907. The Sociable, which was AC&#39;s second model, featured two front wheels, and a single rear tire driven by a rear mid-mounted engine. Power came from a 648cc single cylinder engine. Production of the AC Sociable ended in 1914, with an estimated 1800 examples built.

The AC Sociable was a family of three-wheelers introduced in 1907. The Sociable, which was AC's second model, featured two front wheels,…

Sociable

AC 10HP

The AC 10HP, also known as the Ten, was a series of cars introduced in 1913. The 10HP was available as an open topped two seater, and was fitted with a 1.1L water-cooled inline four engine, although a larger 1.4L inline four unit was optional. Production of the AC 10HP lasted until 1916.

The AC 10HP, also known as the Ten, was a series of cars introduced in 1913. The 10HP was available as an open topped two seater, and was…

10HP

AC 12HP

The AC 12HP was a series of cars introduced in 1920. The 12HP was offered in two or four seat open body styles, and was available with two engine choices, a 1.4L or 2.0L inline four engine sending drive to the rear wheels through a three speed manual gearbox. Production of the AC 12HP lasted until 1928.

The AC 12HP was a series of cars introduced in 1920. The 12HP was offered in two or four seat open body styles, and was available with two…

12HP

AC Six

The AC Six was a series of sporty cars introduced in 1920. The Six was built in two Series, the first, from 1920-1929, and the second from 1932-1940. These cars were initially powered by a 1.4L inline six engine, but from 1922, a larger 2.0L inline six unit was used. This 2.0L engine was available in a range of tunings, designated by the taxable horsepower next to the actual horsepower (ex. 16/60). Production of the AC Six ended in 1940 due to WW2.

The AC Six was a series of sporty cars introduced in 1920. The Six was built in two Series, the first, from 1920-1929, and the second from…

AC 2-Litre

The AC 2-Litre was a series of luxury sports cars introduced in 1947. The 2-Litre was mainly offered in a two or four door saloon body style, although drophead coupes and tourers by the coachbuilder Buckland were also available. These cars were powered by a 2.0L inline six engine paired to a four speed manual sending drive to the rear wheels. One of AC&#39;s more successful models, a total of 1,284 examples were built before the end of production in 1956.

The AC 2-Litre was a series of luxury sports cars introduced in 1947. The 2-Litre was mainly offered in a two or four door saloon body…

2-Litre

AC Ace

The AC Ace was a series of roadsters introduced in 1953. The Ace featured a striking design crafted by John Tojeiro drawing inspiration from the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/ferrari/166/mm/">Ferrari 166MM Barchetta</a>. These rear wheel drive sports cars were available with three engine options over the course of production, an AC 2.0L inline six, a <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bristol">Bristol</a> 2.0L inline six, and a <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/ford/">Ford</a> 2.6L inline six. While the Ace was a successful car in its own right, its greatest fame comes from its use as a base for the legendary <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/shelby/cobra/">Shelby Cobra</a>. Production of the AC Ace lasted until 1963.

The AC Ace was a series of roadsters introduced in 1953. The Ace featured a striking design crafted by John Tojeiro drawing inspiration…

AC Aceca

The AC Aceca was a series of grand tourers introduced in 1954. The Aceca was based on the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/ac/ace/">AC Ace</a>, and featured a closed coupe body style drawing heavily on the design of the Ace. Over the course of production, the Aceca was available with three engine options, all of which were paired to a four speed manual gearbxox sending drive to the rear wheels. The standard engine was an AC 2.0L inline six (90hp), while a high performance 2.0L inline six (125hp) engine was available in a variant known as the Aceca-Bristol due to the engine being sourced from <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bristol">Bristol</a>. Towards the end of production, a few Acecas were fitted with a Ford 2.6L inline six engine, these cars are referred to as the Aceca 2.6. AC built the Aceca until 1963, with a total of 328 examples made. 151 Acecas featured AC power, 169 featured Bristol power, and 8 featured Ford power.

The AC Aceca was a series of grand tourers introduced in 1954. The Aceca was based on the AC Ace, and featured a closed coupe body style…

Aceca

AC Greyhound

The AC Greyhound was a series of grand tourers that were introduced in 1959. The Greyhound was offered in a coupe body style arranged in a 2+2 seat layout. These rear wheel drive cars were offered with a selection of 4 inline six engines. These engines varied in output and were built by AC, Ford, and Bristol. The AC engine was a 2.0L 75hp unit, the Ford unit was a 2.6L 170hp unit, while Bristol offered a 2.0L (125hp) and a 2.2L (105hp) inline six, with cars fitted with Bristol engines known as the Greyhound Bristol. Production of the AC Greyhound lasted until 1963, with only 83 total examples built.

The AC Greyhound was a series of grand tourers that were introduced in 1959. The Greyhound was offered in a coupe body style arranged in a…

Greyhound

AC Frua

The AC Frua was a series of sports cars that were introduced in 1965. The Frua was offered in coupe and convertible body styles, and was built on an modified AC Cobra (<a href="https://www.classic.com/m/shelby/cobra/">Shelby Cobra</a> in US) platform. These powerful sports cars were powered by a Ford FE 428 engine (7.0L) that generated 345hp sent to the rear wheels through a three speed automatic of four speed manual transmission. Just 81 examples of the Frua were built, with 49 coupes, 29 convertibles, and 3 fitted with coachbuilt bodies. Production of the AC Frua ended in 1973.

The AC Frua was a series of sports cars that were introduced in 1965. The Frua was offered in coupe and convertible body styles, and was…

Frua

AC 3000ME

The AC 3000ME was a series of sports cars introduced in 1979. The 3000ME was originally developed by a company called Bohanna Stables, their prototype, known as the Diablo, impressed AC, leading to their purchase of the rights to the car. After various modifications in order to approve the car for sale, the 3000ME ran into numerous production problems, not only delaying delivery, but also increasing the cost. By the time the 3000ME reach the road, it was beset by issues that caused poor sales. Eventually, AC sold the rights to the 3000ME to a Scottish company who continued to build it until 1985. These mid-engined sports cars were powered by a 3.0L V6 engine sending power to the rear wheels via a five speed manual transmission. Aftermarket turbo conversions were common, but know to be very troublesome, causing many to remove the turbos. After a troubled life, the 3000ME exited production with a total of 106 examples built.

The AC 3000ME was a series of sports cars introduced in 1979. The 3000ME was originally developed by a company called Bohanna Stables,…

AC Petite (1952 to 1957)

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