Lot 335: 1934 AC 16/80 Roadster 2 Seat Competition Model

In early 1935 the Hurlock Brothers were persuaded that the range required a short chassis competition model and by that Summer a short wheelbase chassis, built without the heavy crossbracing of its longer siblings and clad in a skimpy 2-seater body, was ready to be shown at that years London Motor Show, powered by the advanced and powerful 2 litre A.C. engine breathing through 3 S.U. carburetors and developing an easy 80bhp - this being the engine that even went on to propel the companies post-war Ace sportscars up to the 1960's. As a contemporary of the SS100 comparisons might be expected but it is notable that the cogniscenti would always regard the A.C. as being of higher quality and indeed A.C.'s own period publicity referred to themselves as the 'Savile Row of Motordom' , the SS being by implication 'off-the-peg'. The Autocar road test of 1935 adds with the words: ' the sheer performance attains a standard that enables the car to rank with every justification among the sportscars of the present day.' And continues: ' The controls and manner of handling that go with this performance are of the right kind.' What was particularly impressive about this test was that it was carried out on the car that had recently completed the Lands End Trial and the RAC Rally with some success. The 16/80 Competition model went on to become highly successful in rallies and trials competing with success in RAC Rallies and on the Monte Carlo ( where an example took 3rd place in the concours ! ) and indeed, such were its abilities that renowned lady driver Betty Haig took the ladies award and won the 2 litre class on the Alpine Trial in 1946 in a car that was by then 10 years old!This car is the fourth of only 28 such Competition 2 seater models built between the end of 1935 and 1937, being recognizable by its lower bonnet line and windscreen, slab-type fuel tank and twin rear mounted spare wheels. Dispatched from the factory in February 1936, CXU 568 enjoyed an extensive pre-war competition career that encompassed such notable events as the Donington 12 hours ( see ACOC chassis record ), plus events at Brooklands and on the Lands End Trial ( Please see photo's on file ). In the late 1960's the car moved to North America and has spent the intervening 40 or so years in the hands of 2 owners, firstly well known car connoisseur Tom Stegman of Cincinatti and for the last 20 + years in the collection of a well known A.C. aficionado. Although the car had always been in good condition, he decided to embark upon a total, bare chassis-up restoration, finishing the car in 1991 ( Accompanying the car there is a large photographic file showing the work carried out together with 4 or 5 magazines telling the story of the car and its restoration - including being the 'covergirl' on both Antique Automobile Club of America and Classic Car Club of America quarterly magazines - the two largest vintage car clubs in the US ). The results of this can be seen in the numerous trophies accompanying the car from the last 15 years, including a 1st at Meadowbrook Hall and Hershey and a 2nd at the prestigious Pebble Beach. Although the car has earned lots of success on the concours field it is equally one of the great 30's sports cars and with its performance, handling and history is a ticket to any prestigious rally or tour. Acknowledged as one of the best pre-war A.C.'s , the car is featured in virtually every book on the marque.