History of AC Cobra Cars (page 2)
By 1937 AC cars were being exported to North America for the first time, however this ceased shortly after with the advent of the Second World War and production facilities were turned to the manufacture of fire fighting equipment, aircraft parts, radar vans, flame throwers, guns and sights.
When the war ended in 1945, thoughts again turned to the production of cars. Slowly but surely through development and improvement, production grew. By 1950 five “Two Litre” models a week were being produced in several body styles and in 1953, a landmark year for AC, the AC Ace was introduced. This was an open two-seater sports car that quickly gained a big following amongst sporting motorists. It was very successful in British “Club” competition, being the type of car that the enthusiast could race or rally at the weekend and still use for every day motoring. The 1954 London Motor show saw the debut of the Aceca Coupé and production commenced the following year. Le Mans 1957 was a good one for AC with an AC Bristol finishing tenth overall – not a bad result for a two-litre car. The following year was even better with a special bodied AC Bristol finishing eighth and a standard car ninth. Meanwhile AC did not rely solely on cars and the famous blue invalid carriages continued to be turned out in their hundreds.
Nothing much changed with AC until in 1961, when Carroll Shelby entered into negotiations with AC Cars. Backed by the Ford Motor Company, he proposed the installation of a large Ford V8 in the current lightweight AC Ace. Built by AC Cars, the combination resulted in the AC Cobra, one of the fastest and most brutal sports cars of all time. By 1963 production of the hand built aluminum bodied car had reached 15 per week.
Meanwhile production of the invalid carriage had been moved toTaggs Island about half a mile from the AC car plant. Invalid carriages were being produced for the Ministry of Health and numbers produced had now reached 1,200.
1964 was the year when an AC Cobra caused a sensation by “testing” on the unrestricted M1 motorway at speeds up to 183mph. Questions were raised in the British Parliament and this episode would eventually lead to the imposition of a 70mph speed limit on British motorways and two lane highways. The same year saw one of the two AC Cobras entered at Le Mans being the first British entry to finish. Unfortunately better results could not be achieved due to problems with the aerodynamics. The following year the AC Cobra won the World Sports Car Championship.
Between 1967 and 1973 the AC 428 was manufactured with a body designed by Frua of Turin. During this period 29 convertibles and 51 fastbacks were produced. During the ‘70s and early ‘80s AC developed the ME3000, a totally new mid-engined two-seater sports car.
1985 was another landmark year with the re-introduction into North America of the AC Mk1V. This had a 305 cu.ins. engine that met 50 State EPA and DOT Federal Regulations. The car was based on the original Cobra tooling.
The following year after some 56 years of ownership, the Hurlock family sold their controlling interest in AC cars to a joint venture company owned by Autokraft Limited and the Ford Motor Company. Two years later in 1988 production was moved to a new purpose built factory sited within the old historic Brooklands racetrack complex, the scene of so many achievements by AC competition cars more than 60 years before.
1990 saw the production of the lightweight version AC MklV and the following year a new pre-production AC Ace was constructed by Autokraft with body design by International Automotive Design.
In 1992 Brian Angliss personally acquired Ford’s interest in AC Cars Limited. The MklV lightweight was re-engineered to meet 1993 European Economic Community (EEC) Type Approval and 49 State North American Certification Standards. Following Type Approval by the EEC, the AC Ace was launched at the London Motor Show. Production commenced the following year and in 1995 the AC Ace was unveiled to America at the Detroit Motor Show. 1996 saw the acquisition of AC Cars by AC Car Group and Alan Lubinsky pledged to build MklV sales and complete the development of the AC Ace.
Once again AC’s fortunes seemed to be picking up and in 1997 the new AC Ace was introduced alongside the Superblower with its 305 cu.ins. V8 producing 320bhp. The following year saw the launch of the new AC Aceca, which was shown alongside the AC Mk ll 289 FIA Roadster, the AC Ace and the AC Superblower.
1999 heralded the launch of the new AC Cobra MklV Carbon Road Series (CRS) with its carbon fibre body instead of the traditional handmade aluminum body. The new Millennium saw the Birmingham International Motor Show introduction of the AC 212 S/C powered by a 213 cu.ins. Lotus V8 twin turbo.
In its centenary year, 2001, AC relocated to Albany Park, Frimley, Surrey and production of the handmade aluminum bodies and the CSR continues to the present day for shipment to the United States.
The AC story is one that is truly hands across the sea for more than 40 years. Long may it continue. The AC Cobra has become an automotive icon – a legend in its own lifetime.
source: www.automotivearticles.com, from article titled: "The History of AC Cars", by Anthony Matthews