AC ME3000

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

One of the oldest independent car makers in British history, AC Cars can trace its roots right back to 1903 but the real glory days of the firm were during the 1960s when they offered fabulous machines like the Ace, the Aceca, the 428 and, of course, the immortal Cobra.

The dramatic 3000ME was first shown in 1973 but did not actually go on sale until 1979. It was based on a design developed by Lola engineers Peter Bohanna and Robin Stables while working after hours in the Lola drawing office and featured a monocoque perimeter steel chassis with substantial bolt-on front and rear subframes, a double bulkhead structure, an internal roll-over bar and additional steel beams inside the doors.

With lightweight GRP bodywork, chunky Wolfrace alloy wheels and aggressive wedge styling, it looked sensational and a mid-mounted Ford 3-litre V6 mated to a 5-speed Hewland gearbox gave it the go to match the show with a 0 - 60 time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 120mph. Ride and handling were also excellent thanks to precise rack-and-pinion steering, all-round disc brakes and four-wheel independent suspension with anti-squat and anti-dive geometry.

Offering an intoxicating blend of Italian style, supercar looks and gutsy performance, it looked set to be another winner but sadly this was not to be. The combination of a worldwide recession and the poor health of company owner Derek Hurlock meant that AC went bust in 1985 after just 106 examples had been made, the first 76 built by AC Cars in Thames Ditton, the last 30 by AC Scotland in Hillingdon near Glasgow where production had moved in 1984 after the Surrey factory closed down.

This 1985 registered example is thought to be the 10th from last built, meaning that it was produced at the Hillingdon factory and retains its original colour scheme. It has spent the last five years in storage and will require a modicum of recommissioning before regular use once more.

The engine runs with good oil pressure, the automatic choke functioning as it should. In fact the electrics appear to be working too, the pop-up lights popping up, even the factory aerial functioning as it should. We are advised however that the clutch is currently stuck, which may free off given a little patience and a thorough warming of the engine.

The car is sound and original, the vendor advising us that there are a few areas of crazing in the bodywork, but the steel structure remains sound and solid. The seats are also in good order.

The vendor acquired it some years ago from a deceased estate, the car having been well cared for and much loved previously. Sadly, as is often the case with estate purchases, much of the paperwork that was with the car went AWOL, although it does have a V5 logbook and a couple of old MOTs.