Description
Well before World War II, AC had earned a reputation for building very well‑designed sports cars, delivering excellent performance, thanks to the internally designed 2‑litre, 6‑cylinder double‑overhead camshaft engine.
With the post‑war 2‑litre model, AC managed to produce a more practical and comfortable saloon, while retaining performance (still thanks to the same 2‑litre 6‑cylinder engine) and an elegant appearance.
For the 1949 model year, a Drophead Coupé was introduced. At the time, this model was regarded as a superb open‑top car, described by Motor Industry magazine as: “Dream Car from Ditton”! Only 15 examples were built in total, of which the AC Club has records of only 6 still in existence.
The car’s 1991 cm3 six‑cylinder wet‑liner aluminium block engine was the unit first offered in the AC 16 in 1922. From 1947, it was fed by three SU carburetters and produced 75 bhp.
Aluminium body on a timber frame was mounted on a conventional steel chassis with both front and rear live axles and semi‑elliptic leaf springs, and, for the first time on an AC, hydraulic shock absorbers. Until 1951, the car used a hybrid braking system, hydraulic at the front and cable‑actuated at the rear, with 305 mm drums.
The car changed very little over its ten years of production, though wheel size rose slightly to 406 mm by 1951. The AC 2 litres outlived its engine, which continued to be offered in other AC models until 1963.
This example is one of the six survivors. Restored in the early 1990s, it subsequently underwent further refurbishment, including an engine overhaul in 2009, at a cost of £18, 000.
This car is extensively described in Leo Archibald’s book on AC sedans and sports cars, of which a copy is included with the car.
A very comprehensive history file accompanies the car, with receipts kept in the file. The car retains its original jack, its starting handle, and a fully equipped tool kit included in the boot lid. The pedals bearing the AC insignia and the oil can under the bonnet are among the many features that make this car unique. The original semaphore indicators still function, though indicators have been added.
The car is exceptionally well presented. It has been used regularly but sparingly over the years. The car comes with a large number of historic documents, including the original logbook.
The car is now on Belgian historic registration.
