Lot 517: 1925 AC Royal 16/40hp 2-litre Two-seater and Dickey

AC Cars Ltd. of Thames Ditton, Surrey, was established in 1922 carrying on the business previously set up by Autocars & Accessories Ltd. in 1908 and Autocarriers (1911) Ltd., who were responsible for the quirky, single-cylinder, rear-engined, three wheeler Sociable models. Designer John Weller launched his 1,991cc, single overhead camshaft, wet-liner, six-cylinder engine at the Olympia Show in 1919, that engine going into series production in 1922 and remarkably this basic design continuing in production for over forty years, albeit by 1963 it developed a massive 103bhp. Racing driver S. F. Edge headed the marketing impetus at AC and fully recognised the advantages to be gained from competition success, supporting entries at Brooklands where the marque firmly established its credentials in the hands of such notables as Joyce and Gillett. The Hon. Victor Bruce, with co-driver W. J. Brunell, achieved the first British Monte Carlo Rally victory in 1926 at the wheel of an AC.

The Royal was a handsome, sporting, two-seater and dickey motor car with elegant styling, including the distinctive bullet-shaped radiator and the easy-clean disc wheels. Its innocent looks belied outstanding performance alongside its peer group.

This car is very smartly presented in blue livery with black wings and correctly retains black painted head and side lamps. Other body fittings are nickel-plated in period fashion. The car is trimmed in black leather and properly equipped with period instrumentation. It comes with many previous MoT�s, recording regular use and various invoices for work carried out and parts supplied over a period of time. The car has a nice original feel to it with a gentle patina that comes from enthusiastic use and is offered with a Swansea registration document and current MoT certificate to July 2008. Owners of the six-cylinder AC�s will proudly boast how they can hold a 3-litre Bentley at bay on the more twisty and undulating journey. The marque and model is well respected within vintage circles.