Highlights
- Highly original car with unique features
- AC Cars demonstrator and previously Derek Hurlock’s personal car
- 25,193 documented miles from new
- Original Glasurit hard white mirror finish paint
- £20,000 of work since 2013
- Comprehensive engine overhaul including cambelt
- Current collector-keeper since 2013
The Appeal
The 3000ME wasn’t an obvious product for AC, the tiny Thames Ditton concern more usually associated with conventional GT cars. Its innovative mid-engined layout and styling, fabricated in lightweight, corrosion-resistant GRP, was cutting edge for the time and aped the format of cars like Ford’s GT40.
Just 106 were built by AC. This car is one of the most desirable of the few remaining cars because it has covered just 25,000 miles from new and has fascinating provenance.
It was built in November 1981 and first used as a factory demonstrator before passing to AC owner Derek Hurlock who used it as his personal car. It was then acquired by a friend of Hurlock. The car is reported to be one of two finished in Glasurit with a hard white mirror finish, factory paintwork that it retains.
Presented today in highly original and very well kept condition, this car has been part of the current keeper’s collection since 2013. Recent work has included an extensive engine overhaul with a cambelt change and other work.
The car’s ownership history and provenance is very well documented. The 3000ME is a fascinating classic and this is arguably one of the most important examples to reach market in recent times.
History and Paperwork
- Built November 1981 by AC Cars Ltd, Thames Ditton, UK
- Chassis number 154 and engine number S44
- Used as a demonstration vehicle and later owned by Derek Hurlock
- First UK registered 3rd May 1983
- DVLA states seven registered UK keepers
- Registered in UK with plate BPE827Y
- Full ownership history with connections to the AC Owners Club
- Currently in Swiss ownership with a UK address
- Currently on SORN in the UK
- Reported to be a matching numbers car
- Previously overhauled at cost of £20,000 according to seller
- Factory brochures and some spares as shown
- MOT history supports low stated mileage
- Event Trophy for 2013 Cosford show ‘Best Visitor’s Car’
- Photographs of car being used in UK hill climbs and track events
- UI did not race the car, the Connaught Historic Racing picture is there, because the car is there
- There is a picture with the car moving at Prescott, and that is only an untimed event (Rotary charity event)
The Condition
- Original Glasurit hard white mirror finish paint with no crazing
- Paintwork presents very well with only light aging due to originality
- Believed to be one of only two cars finished with Glasurit paintwork
- Original black cloth interior with new felt under carpets
- Rustproofing recently applied
- Michelin MXV3-A tyres and Wolfrace original alloy wheels
- Factory sunroof
This must be one of the most original 3000MEs in existence. Alongside the well documented history the car remains in its original Glasurit hard white paintwork, believed one of two so finished by the factory. The exterior fittings, including the front and rear impact bumpers, are all well kept and the car retains its correct Wolfrace-style alloys.
Inside the sense of well kept originality remains, the black fabric seats, dashboard, door cards and trim all presenting very well.
The Mechanics
- 2,994cc Ford ‘Essex’ V6 138bhp engine (chain driven)
- 5spd manual gearbox designed by AC using Hewland parts
- Recent engine overhaul documented below
- Documented low mileage car which remains matching numbers
- No reported running or driving issues
£20,000 overhaul since 2013 including:
- New manifolds
- Cam timing gear set
- Water pump
- New edge gear reduction starter
- New clutch
- Overhauled Weber carburettor
- Rebuilt brakes with new front Power Track calipers and hoses
- Overhauled cooling system with new radiator core and silicone hoses
- Suspension overhaul with new ball joints and steering joints
- Crankshaft oil seals and gaskets
- New engine mounts
- Burton Power electronic distributor
- Electric Facet petrol pump
After dallying with various powerplants, AC settled on Ford’s grunt 3L ‘Essex’ V6. It was a fitting and appropriate choice, delivering the power to match the looks and usefully reliable with decent parts supply The gearbox was to AC’s own design using Hewland parts.
This very low mileage car has benefitted from £20,000 of improvements since the vendor acquired the car in 2013. The work is detailed above and includes an engine overhaul plus attention to virtually all areas of the ancillaries and running gear. It remains a matching numbers car.
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