Highlights
- Gorgeous 2 Litre in light green with cream interior
- Two keepers from new with one family ownership for 73 years to 2021
- All aluminium alloy body with well-maintained chrome plating
- Original cream leather interior with natural patina
- Recently serviced, new front brake cylinders and fuel lines cleaned
- Triple SU carburettors have been cleaned and tuned
The Appeal
Think AC and you’re likely conjuring pictures of the Cobra or maybe even the 428 grand tourer. But before all that, there was this car, the simply named 2 Litre, which deserves far more than to be overshadowed by its younger siblings.
AC’s first post-war car was a distinctively styled four seater GT with the firm’s own 1,991cc straight six. This ultra smooth power plant is key to the car’s appeal and, thanks to lightweight aluminium construction and 74bhp, delivered sprightly performance.
Just 1,284 cars were built, and few survive, partly thanks to that engine being ‘borrowed’ to keep AC Aces alive. That’s a real shame because whether you’re here for the distinctive styling, with its lovely ‘waterfall’ grille, or that peppy powerhouse, these are cars to revere.
This 1948 2 Litre is both gorgeous and unusual. Finished in rare light green with a lovely cream leather interior, it remained with the same family from new until 2021. Although much of that history has gone missing, the car is well known to the AC Club because the previous keeper’s son was a member from the 1980s.
The vendor acquired it in 2021. He set about a light recommissioning because the car had been unused for some time. Fortunately, it had been carefully stored, including greasing the mechanicals and chromework. It only needed a service, cleaning of the fuel lines, new front brake cylinders and overhaul of the triple SU carburettors.
The car remains standard except for the useful addition of modern indicators for safety. It is a truly lovely car and will appeal to lovers of esoteric and very stylish post-war British GTs.
The vendor says:
“This is a lovely, quality old car which has good performance for it's age. These are rare cars now and l shall be sorry to part with it. Everyone who sees it is delighted.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 3rd December 1948
- Remained in same family for 73 years (1948-2021)
- DVLA records two registered keepers from new
- Purchased by the current keeper in October 2021
- Older restoration which appears to date from that time
- Ownership verified by AC owners club
- Had been standing for some time prior to purchase but well preserved with grease
- Garaged and never used in rain during current ownership
- List of work since purchase detailed below
- Regrettably the paperwork prior to 2021 has been lost but AC Club knows car
- VIN number L997 indicates this was the 197th 2Litre built
The Condition
- All aluminium alloy body presents well with good panel fit
- Paintwork redone a few years ago in pale green
- Paint in very good condition with deep shine
- Heavy steel chassis appears in smart condition
- Well-maintained chrome plating as shown
- New rear lights, flashing indicators, and overtaking mirrors fitted
- Semaphores work with the flashing indicators
- Original interior with cream leather seats
- Seats show natural patina with no rips or tears
- Door cards in good condition
- Carpets and headlining in good condition
- Wooden dash and door cappings have been re-varnished
- All gauges work except temperature gauge
- Aftermarket temperature gauge supplied but not fitted
- Avon cross-ply tyres have plenty of tread but are old and ideally need replacing
- All tools present including air pump, oil can, and grease gun
- Underside as shown in photos
The Mechanics
- Smooth 1,991cc straight six 74bhp AC engine
- Triple SU carburettors recently cleaned and tuned
- 4spd Jaguar ‘Moss’ manual gearbox
- Early car with hydraulic front brakes and cable rear brakes
- Engine starts easily from cold using electric choke we are told
- Idles smoothly when warm reports seller
- Vendor reports that oil pressure shows 20 psi at idle and up to 60 psi while driving
- Hydraulic front brakes and cable rear brakes
- List of recent maintenance since 2021 detailed below
Recent maintenance includes:
- Changed engine oil
- Brake fluid replaced
- New front wheel cylinders
- Carburettors cleaned and tuned
- Cleaned fuel lines
- New front brake master cylinder rubbers
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..
