Lot 35: AC 16/80 Tourer

Despite (or perhaps due to) nine years of stewardship under ebullient former Napier racer S.F. Edge, AC succumbed to receivership in early 1930. Snapped up by the Hurlock brothers to complement their thriving South London lorry, car hire, spares and haulage businesses, AC yielded a profitable servicing department and much needed factory space. Although, the new owners had no intention of becoming motor manufacturers, the infectious enthusiasm displayed by older staff members and the continuing orders placed by a fiercely loyal clientele saw them relent. Thus, in 1932 AC began to build a series of new cars based on a proprietary chassis fitted with a conventional ENV four-speed gearbox and their own fabulous John Weller designed straight-six engine. Something of an automotive milestone, this advanced powerplant featured an alloy block, pistons and sump, chain-driven overhead camshaft and five-bearing crankshaft. Notably light and powerful compared to its peers, it was in production from 1919 to 1963. The embryonic `Hurlock ACs' quickly gained a reputation for performance and agility. In a showing reminiscent of the marque's 1926 Monte Carlo Rally victory, a four car team took 1st, 4th and 6th places in the 1933 RAC Rally as well as winning the event's Concours d'Elegance. Buoyed up by their success (Charles and William had piloted the 4th and 6th placed cars respectively), the Hurlock brothers booked a stand at the London Motor Show that October. Utilising a new 9'7" wheelbase chassis with underslung rear axle, the show cars in their various tourer, saloon and coupe guises were notably rakish and lithe (a characteristic shared by their subsequent production siblings). Priced at a third more than their nearest competitor, Sir William Lyons' SS range, their understated elegance and impeccable build quality drew comparisons among the contemporary motoring press with far more expensive machinery. According to an accompanying letter from AC Cars Ltd, this particular example - chassis number `L 379' - left the Works on 22nd February 1936. Originally a four-seater Drophead Coupe finished in ivory with red leather upholstery, the AC was not road registered until 13th January 1937 and thus may have seen use as a demonstrator. Although, the car's first few years are a mystery, the three continuation logbooks on file (two buff, one green) give clues as to its ownership history between 15th April 1946 and the present day. Looking rather forlorn by the mid 1970s, `DLP 694' was converted into a Tourer by its then keeper, Steve White. Rebodied in aluminium over marine ply but retaining its factory front wings (albeit much modified), the reconfigured four-seater was sold off as an unfinished project. Subsequently painted cream and re-trimmed with green leather upholstery, the AC is known to have passed a MOT test on 17th April 1986. Bought by Paul Rogers some five years later, `DLP 694' was still fitted with its desirable, high-performance 16/80 engine - number `UBS 293' - and apparently had been since at least 1946 (if not before). Suffering from block corrosion and other maladies, the unit in question was duly stripped and overhauled. Dry stored for the last fifteen years or so (its last MOT certificate expired on 4th September 1993) the AC is now in need of further recommissioning / restoration work. A potentially rewarding project, this Post Vintage Thoroughbred is offered for sale with the aforementioned logbooks and MOT certificates as well as various photos / bills relating to the engine fettling and sundry other correspondence.