Car & Classic Dealer

California Connection

Ashbourne, Derbyshire

DE6 1JR

Rare 1951 AC ALUMINUM BODY (One of 1293 hand built) SOLD

History of the 1947-1956 AC 2-Litre
AC is best known these days from its association with Carroll Shelby and the remarkable Cobra he developed from the company's excellent Ace roadster, but the story of the Auto-Carrier company goes back to the dawn of the Motoring Age in Britain, making its fortune through a three-wheeled delivery vehicle introduced in 1904, a vehicle that eventually developed into the charming Sociable. When S. F. Edge, formerly of Napier, un-retired himself in 1919 and joined the firm, it began a 20-year period of considerable success with light sports cars.
Thomas Gillette in a 2-liter roadster set a 24-hour record at Montlhery of 82. 58 mph in 1925, while the Hon. Victor Bruce entered his AC in the 1925 Monte Carlo Rally - the first British car to do so. He won the event in 1926, and his wife Mildred placed sixth in 1927 in her own AC.

Throughout the 1930s, AC was a force to be reckoned with in competition, but when the company switched back from war work in 1945 they needed a new model. The result was the 2-Litre sedan introduced in 1947. Amazingly, it was powered by John Weller's 76 bhp, 1991 cc SOHC six-cylinder engine that had first seen the light of day in 1922, and would be an option in the Ace roadster until 1963.
The car was very much a prewar automobile in its design, with aluminum body over an ash frame, solid axles at both ends, hydraulic brakes up front and mechanical brakes in the rear. It was light and airy, however, with a rather upright vee-windshield, a big greenhouse and very nicely finished with a leather interior. A two-door sedan was offered first, then a rare drophead coupe in 1949. Only 20 were built.

A Buckland tourer was offered from 1949-54, some with windup windows, and a four-door sedan added to the line in 1952. In all 1, 293 2-Litres were built in all body styles. They combined an 80 mph top speed with a 0-60 figure of 14 seconds and a rather hard ride. Long-term ownership seems to have been the norm and the survival rate is respectable.
The production of all AC sedans was halted in 1956, as the company concentrated on its very successful Ace roadster, which could also be ordered with the old BMW-designed, Bristol-built six-cylinder engine. When that was retired in 1963, the 260 cubic inch lightweight Ford V-8 took its place, and the Cobra was born.
1951 AC 2-Litre Info
Body Styles
2dr Drophead Coupe
2dr Sedan
2dr Tourer
4dr Tourer
Engine Types
6-cyl. 1991cc/ 75hp 3x1bb








Rare once in a lifetime opportunity to own a AC car.

Built by the same coach building company that supplied Carroll Shelby the body for the AC Cobra. It is a 1951 AC Saloon 2 door coupe. All aluminum body with a wood inner support. 100% original untouched barn find in amazing condition. She has 48000 actual miles, Right hand drive, Leather interior soft as a bomber jacket, and as thick. 2. 0 liter motor with 3 weber carbs, same motor originally in the 1St car body caroll Shelby converted to a cobra with the 289.

Just acquired after being sealed in a shipping container for 20 plus years after the death of the previous owner. Prior to that it was stored in his garage.

It hasn't had anything done to it after being removed it still sports all its dirt and grease from the years of storage. The car runs and drives and has 41000 miles on it.

This car is a true time capsule from England and is in the condition of a 10 year old car. One has to see it to believe it.




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