Difference between revisions of "AC Cars"
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| − | [[image:ac.cobra.1999.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|250px|1999 AC Cobra 427]] '''AC Cars Group Ltd.''' is a British specialist car manufacturing company and one of the oldest independent car marques in Britain. Based in [[Weybridge, Surrey]] (see also [[British motor industry]]). It began as Weller Brothers in [[1901]], becoming Autocarriers Ltd in [[1909]] and using the 'AC' logo. The company moved to [[Thames Ditton]], Surrey in [[1911]] and grew into a substantial car manufacturer. In 1930 the company was bought by the Hurlock family. In [[1953]] the firm began production of the [[AC Ace]], a lightweight chassis with a [[Bristol Cars|Bristol]] six-cylinder engine the car raced at [[Le Mans 24 Hours|Le Mans]] in [[1957]] and [[1958]]. When the company lost access to the Bristol engine in [[1961]] the owner, Charles Hurlock, was approached by [[Carroll Shelby]] to use a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8]] in the Ace chassis, producing the [[AC Cobra]] in [[1962]]. The Cobra was a dangerously over-powered roadster, and is commonly blamed for the introduction of the 70 mph [[speed limit|limit]] on British [[motorway]]s. Although a major factor in the decision, after being caught doing 196 mph during a test run | + | [[image:ac.cobra.1999.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|250px|1999 AC Cobra 427]] '''AC Cars Group Ltd.''' is a British specialist car manufacturing company and one of the oldest independent car marques in Britain. Based in [[Weybridge, Surrey]] (see also [[British motor industry]]). It began as Weller Brothers in [[1901]], becoming Autocarriers Ltd in [[1909]] and using the 'AC' logo. The company moved to [[Thames Ditton]], Surrey in [[1911]] and grew into a substantial car manufacturer. In 1930 the company was bought by the Hurlock family. In [[1953]] the firm began production of the [[AC Ace]], a lightweight chassis with a [[Bristol Cars|Bristol]] six-cylinder engine the car raced at [[Le Mans 24 Hours|Le Mans]] in [[1957]] and [[1958]]. When the company lost access to the Bristol engine in [[1961]] the owner, Charles Hurlock, was approached by [[Carroll Shelby]] to use a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8]] in the Ace chassis, producing the [[AC Cobra]] in [[1962]]. The Cobra was a dangerously over-powered roadster, and is commonly blamed for the introduction of the 70 mph [[speed limit|limit]] on British [[motorway]]s. Although a major factor in the decision, after being caught doing 196 mph during a test run[http://uk.geocities.com/control656day/online-shopping-for-eric-carle-hungry-caterpillar-clothes.htm ...] |
Revision as of 18:33, 20 January 2006
AC Cars Group Ltd. is a British specialist car manufacturing company and one of the oldest independent car marques in Britain. Based in Weybridge, Surrey (see also British motor industry). It began as Weller Brothers in 1901, becoming Autocarriers Ltd in 1909 and using the 'AC' logo. The company moved to Thames Ditton, Surrey in 1911 and grew into a substantial car manufacturer. In 1930 the company was bought by the Hurlock family. In 1953 the firm began production of the AC Ace, a lightweight chassis with a Bristol six-cylinder engine the car raced at Le Mans in 1957 and 1958. When the company lost access to the Bristol engine in 1961 the owner, Charles Hurlock, was approached by Carroll Shelby to use a Ford V8 in the Ace chassis, producing the AC Cobra in 1962. The Cobra was a dangerously over-powered roadster, and is commonly blamed for the introduction of the 70 mph limit on British motorways. Although a major factor in the decision, after being caught doing 196 mph during a test run...