Highlights

4th from last of the 105 Thames Ditton cars built
Owned and dry stored by renowned AC specialist Gerry Hawkridge for 15 years
Recently recommissioned by Thunder Road Speed Shop at cost of £4,000
Factory standard car in eye-catching yellow with black leather cabin
Current MOT to March 2026
Only 41,082 miles on the clock
Extensive history file of ongoing maintenance

The Appeal

It could have been a giant-slayer. But for some interminable delays from concept to production, AC’s original ‘Diablo’ mid-engined sports car had every ingredient for success. It looked phenomenal, went well, and featured an innovative, Ferrari-esque mid-engined layout.

Things didn’t quite work out, partly due to a high purchase price and production issues. Not to worry now, because for contemporary buyers, that means the AC 3000ME is one of the rarest British mini-supercars ever built. Just 105 were built by the Thames Ditton minnow, and we love them.

By chassis number, this car was the fourth from last built by AC at the Surrey factory, before production transferred to Scotland. It began life red but was repainted eye-catching yellow in 1998 to match the factory brochures.

The vendor acquired the car last year from AC specialist Gerry Hawkridge of Hawk Cars, who had owned it for 15 years. It had been dry stored and little used during that time, so the vendor had it carefully recommissioned by specialist Thunder Road Speed Shop at a cost of £4,000. The work included replacing the belts, a service, new hoses, engine tune up and carburettor overhaul.

The vendor tells us that the low displayed mileage of 41,085 is correct. The car is very well presented and pleasingly factory-standard, right down to a period radio and those stylish Wolfrace alloys. It comes to market with a usefully long MOT to March 2026.

The vendor says:

“The car is a pleasure to drive with no faults. Great colour that really suits the car ( I dislike red so for me the colour change was good). What isn’t to like about this little pocket rocket…”

History and Paperwork

First registered 20th June 1984
One of the last Thames Ditton-built cars
Final chassis number of those cars was 182 and this car is 178
Nine registered keepers
Current keeper since February 2024
Originally red
Repainted yellow in July 1998 by previous keeper
He wished to replicate the colour of the cars in the original brochure
Purchased from renowned AC specialist Gerry Hawkridge of Hawk Cars
Gerry Hawkridge owned and dry stored the vehicle for 15 years
Service history from 2002 to 2007 then dry stored
Dry stored until purchased in 2024
Recommissioned by Thunder Road Speed Shop at cost of £4,000
Summary of work by TRSS detailed above and below
Fresh MOT valid to 12th March 2026 with advisories to note
Old MOTs and invoices as shown in photos
1 set of keys
Factory brochure
Eligible for but apparently not currently registered as a Historic Vehicle
V5C in current keeper’s name

Recent work in March 2024 by Thunder Road:

All belts replaced
Full service
Hoses replaced
Carburettors overhauled
Engine tuned
New battery
New speedo cable
Other ancillaries checked and replaced

The Condition

Well kept yellow paintwork following respray in 1998
Car has been little used since restoration and respray so in good order
Few indications of age to paintwork except as noted below
Fibreglass bodywork in good order with straight panels and good panel fit
Vendor reports that there is micro blistering on the engine cover
Underside presents well, albeit with advisories to note on current MOT
Wolfrace factory-correct alloy wheels in good order with light age to finish
Matching Avon tyres fitted which appear to be in good order
Lights in good condition with pop-up headlamps operating correctly as shown
Black leather interior is factory standard with no obvious or advised modifications
Leather trim is well kept with vendor advising a small split to driver's seat
Black carpets through cabin and boot areas in very good condition
Dashboard, door cards, headlining and switchgear are highly preserved
Fitted with a pop-up glass sunroof as shown
Fitted with a classic period-correct radio cassette
We have no reports of faults with electrics, lighting, switchgear or dials

The Mechanics

2,994cc Ford ‘Essex’ V6 138bhp engine
5spd manual gearbox designed by AC using Hewland parts
Documented low mileage car which remains matching numbers
No reported running or driving issues
The vehicle runs very nicely after a full service and tune-up by Thunder Road
Original exhaust silencers replaced with Cherry Bomb silencers several years ago
£4,000 of recent work by Thunder Road summarised above and shown in photos
Engine re-tuned and a new battery installed by Thunder Road
The vendor states the car is a pleasure to drive with no faults
Long MOT to March 2026 with some advisories to note

BEFORE YOU BUY

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