Details
1935 AC 16/80 PROTOTYPE SHORT CHASSIS COMPETITION SPORTS TWO SEATER
Registration No. CPL 572
Chassis No. L315
Engine No.UBSS 259
Light metallic grey with black leather interior.
Engine: six cylinder, 1991cc, triple SU carburettors; Gearbox: Moss four speed and reverse; Brakes: Bendix cable; Suspension: semi- elliptic leaf springs, Tele-control, Hartford shock absorbers. Right hand drive.
Established by John Portwine and John Weller in South London in 1904 to build a handy single-cylinder, two horsepower tradesman's box tricycle, the AC company graduated by way of cyclecars and four cylinder light cars to a respected position in the twenties as builders of quality four and six cylinder light touring cars. The formidable S F Edge gained control of the company and under his leadership, a 1921 AC became the first 1500cc car to cover a mile (and later an hour) at over 100mph.
In 1929 Edge's company fell victim to its overheads and it was sold on to William and Charles Hurlock, who were quick to notice that in the Light Six engine they had purchased not only a notably smooth unit with an excellent power-to-weight ratio, but also the machine tools with which to make it. They cautiously put the AC car back into production much as it was in Edge's time, using up the existing stock of axles and chassis parts. When these began to run out during 1932, they despatched their service manager to components manufacturers who proliferated in the Midlands, to find a new chassis, axles and gearbox to complement their engine. The result was a well-engineered, quite conventional fast touring car that could be fitted with a variety of good-looking, carefully built and beautifully finished coachwork.
An improved chassis was adopted later in 1934. Still entirely conventional, it was given short, stiff half-elliptic road springs and had a beam front and live rear axle. The chassis was underslung ensuring a low centre of gravity and, together with a 9ft 7in wheelbase, made it practical to fit sports-touring bodies that were both dashing and very comfortable. AC Cars, advised by their London distributor Jack Olding, had consulted the Earl of March's design team and the product was a fashionable, lean, four-seater sports-tourer on the standard chassis.
Early in 1935 Charles Hurlock, now AC's general manager, was persuaded that the company needed its own contender for trials, a two-seater sports model, shorter and lighter, more nimble than its existing four-seaters.
Clearly derived from those cars, constructor's number L315, the car on offer today - the prototype short chassis 80bhp AC 16/80 Competition Model, was ready in late summer for the press to sample. The Autocar's H S Linfield was allowed to take the AC off on a long weekend in North Devon and his enthusiastic report appeared on 20 September 1935, entitled "Magic Carpet Weekend".
This is how he described L315: A special short chassis was used and there was an 8ft 10in wheelbase, without the cruciform bracing of the ordinary models, to save weight. The engine was the now familiar 15.7 hp six cylinder, 2 litre unit, with chain driven overhead camshaft. It was the full sports engine, having three SU carburettors and a high compression ratio of 7.5 to 1. The body was strictly a two-seater, built by AC, and Linfield thought it "neat besides being comfortable and wide enough to give elbow room". At the rear was that useful 20 gallon tank and behind that there was later to be a second spare wheel, although only one was fitted during his test weekend. At 4.25:1 the rear axle ratio was higher than that used for the open four-seater. It gave approximately 21 mph per 1,000 rpm on top gear. The Autocar's custom was to weigh test cars with a full tank. "With 20 gallons of petrol this comes out at the useful figure of 20.57 cwt". Linfield had been given a price of £425 for the 16/80 and commented "hand-built in common with the other AC cars, it is an individual machine for the keen driver".
For the rest of the summer L315 was retained by the company's sales department as its 16/80 demonstrator and is believed to be the Competition Model shown on their stand at the London Motor Show at Olympia in the Autumn. During its time at the works the car was affectionately known as "The Flea".
It was sold to a Mrs Skelton of Sydenham, Kent, then had a succession of other owners before being owned in the 50's by Mr T Parker of Southport, Lancs, a keen member of the AC Owners' Club. The original engine had been replaced by a 1939 one "until the original is overhauled" - and the original ENV crashbox, with its very low first gear designed for trials use, had been succeeded by AC's alternative Moss synchromesh unit with its more usefully spaced gear ratios. Subsequently the car went to two owners in France.
The present owner purchased it in 1986. Since then it has been the subject of a meticulous and extensive restoration by the leading specialists in the type. The standard of restoration is simply stunning in every possible department and we recommend close inspection of the car. There is a new crankcase of correct thirties configurations and a new body frame was built using the old one as a pattern. During the restoration the shape of the rear apron under the spare wheel was altered (after due reference to another example of the type) to permit a second spare to be installed if required. It has been restored to its original colours of metallic grey cellulose and is beautifully retrimmed in black leather.
Amongst the details unique to this prototype and originally installed by the AC factory, are the windscreen and fuel tank, both of which were modified in detail for subsequent examples after experience with this car. It was displayed for the first time after restoration at the AC Owners' Club Annual Concours last September, when it was judged "Best of Show" against stiff opposition and awarded the prestigious Hurlock Trophy.
Endowed with light and effective Bendix cable brakes, responsive handling and a maximum speed of close to 90mph, the AC16/80 is a rewarding fast touring car. Very much at ease on modern highways, it would be equally at home in Vintage rallying and other competitions.
This car is arguably the most desirable 16/80 slab tank example, being the Prototype version of one of the prettiest of thirties tourers.
Registration No. CPL 572
Chassis No. L315
Engine No.UBSS 259
Light metallic grey with black leather interior.
Engine: six cylinder, 1991cc, triple SU carburettors; Gearbox: Moss four speed and reverse; Brakes: Bendix cable; Suspension: semi- elliptic leaf springs, Tele-control, Hartford shock absorbers. Right hand drive.
Established by John Portwine and John Weller in South London in 1904 to build a handy single-cylinder, two horsepower tradesman's box tricycle, the AC company graduated by way of cyclecars and four cylinder light cars to a respected position in the twenties as builders of quality four and six cylinder light touring cars. The formidable S F Edge gained control of the company and under his leadership, a 1921 AC became the first 1500cc car to cover a mile (and later an hour) at over 100mph.
In 1929 Edge's company fell victim to its overheads and it was sold on to William and Charles Hurlock, who were quick to notice that in the Light Six engine they had purchased not only a notably smooth unit with an excellent power-to-weight ratio, but also the machine tools with which to make it. They cautiously put the AC car back into production much as it was in Edge's time, using up the existing stock of axles and chassis parts. When these began to run out during 1932, they despatched their service manager to components manufacturers who proliferated in the Midlands, to find a new chassis, axles and gearbox to complement their engine. The result was a well-engineered, quite conventional fast touring car that could be fitted with a variety of good-looking, carefully built and beautifully finished coachwork.
An improved chassis was adopted later in 1934. Still entirely conventional, it was given short, stiff half-elliptic road springs and had a beam front and live rear axle. The chassis was underslung ensuring a low centre of gravity and, together with a 9ft 7in wheelbase, made it practical to fit sports-touring bodies that were both dashing and very comfortable. AC Cars, advised by their London distributor Jack Olding, had consulted the Earl of March's design team and the product was a fashionable, lean, four-seater sports-tourer on the standard chassis.
Early in 1935 Charles Hurlock, now AC's general manager, was persuaded that the company needed its own contender for trials, a two-seater sports model, shorter and lighter, more nimble than its existing four-seaters.
Clearly derived from those cars, constructor's number L315, the car on offer today - the prototype short chassis 80bhp AC 16/80 Competition Model, was ready in late summer for the press to sample. The Autocar's H S Linfield was allowed to take the AC off on a long weekend in North Devon and his enthusiastic report appeared on 20 September 1935, entitled "Magic Carpet Weekend".
This is how he described L315: A special short chassis was used and there was an 8ft 10in wheelbase, without the cruciform bracing of the ordinary models, to save weight. The engine was the now familiar 15.7 hp six cylinder, 2 litre unit, with chain driven overhead camshaft. It was the full sports engine, having three SU carburettors and a high compression ratio of 7.5 to 1. The body was strictly a two-seater, built by AC, and Linfield thought it "neat besides being comfortable and wide enough to give elbow room". At the rear was that useful 20 gallon tank and behind that there was later to be a second spare wheel, although only one was fitted during his test weekend. At 4.25:1 the rear axle ratio was higher than that used for the open four-seater. It gave approximately 21 mph per 1,000 rpm on top gear. The Autocar's custom was to weigh test cars with a full tank. "With 20 gallons of petrol this comes out at the useful figure of 20.57 cwt". Linfield had been given a price of £425 for the 16/80 and commented "hand-built in common with the other AC cars, it is an individual machine for the keen driver".
For the rest of the summer L315 was retained by the company's sales department as its 16/80 demonstrator and is believed to be the Competition Model shown on their stand at the London Motor Show at Olympia in the Autumn. During its time at the works the car was affectionately known as "The Flea".
It was sold to a Mrs Skelton of Sydenham, Kent, then had a succession of other owners before being owned in the 50's by Mr T Parker of Southport, Lancs, a keen member of the AC Owners' Club. The original engine had been replaced by a 1939 one "until the original is overhauled" - and the original ENV crashbox, with its very low first gear designed for trials use, had been succeeded by AC's alternative Moss synchromesh unit with its more usefully spaced gear ratios. Subsequently the car went to two owners in France.
The present owner purchased it in 1986. Since then it has been the subject of a meticulous and extensive restoration by the leading specialists in the type. The standard of restoration is simply stunning in every possible department and we recommend close inspection of the car. There is a new crankcase of correct thirties configurations and a new body frame was built using the old one as a pattern. During the restoration the shape of the rear apron under the spare wheel was altered (after due reference to another example of the type) to permit a second spare to be installed if required. It has been restored to its original colours of metallic grey cellulose and is beautifully retrimmed in black leather.
Amongst the details unique to this prototype and originally installed by the AC factory, are the windscreen and fuel tank, both of which were modified in detail for subsequent examples after experience with this car. It was displayed for the first time after restoration at the AC Owners' Club Annual Concours last September, when it was judged "Best of Show" against stiff opposition and awarded the prestigious Hurlock Trophy.
Endowed with light and effective Bendix cable brakes, responsive handling and a maximum speed of close to 90mph, the AC16/80 is a rewarding fast touring car. Very much at ease on modern highways, it would be equally at home in Vintage rallying and other competitions.
This car is arguably the most desirable 16/80 slab tank example, being the Prototype version of one of the prettiest of thirties tourers.