AC 2-Litre Two-door Saloon

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The AC Car Company could trace its roots back to 1901, its first serious commercial success arriving with the launch of its three-wheeled ‘Auto-Carrier’ which went into production in 1904.

By 1919 the company had designed a light, two-litre, six-cylinder engine and by 1923 the design had been refined to feature the now familiar aluminium block and sump, with steel liners for the cylinders. Light and powerful for its time, this engine was so successful it remained in production, with various improvements and modifications, until 1963!

AC enjoyed considerable success in the 1920s and, following a change of ownership in the early ‘30s, produced a succession of very elegant two- and four-seater sports cars, saloons and dropheads. Engine development continued, culminating in the triple SU carburettor set up, which saw power rise to 80bhp by the end of the ‘30s.

In the austere period immediately following the Second World War, the company recognised the need for stylish cars with a ‘sporting feel’, using the materials then available. It developed and produced the two-litre Sports Saloon along with a series of derivatives, such as an open ‘Buckland’ Sports, a factory-built Sports Drophead and a four-door Saloon as well as a few special bodied cars. Production was high by AC standards, with the popular Saloon helping to sell a total of 1,286 two-litres of all types.

Dating from February 1950, this rare two-door saloon was purchased by its engineer owner from Robin Rew in 1994. He had already replaced some of the ash framing to the bodywork, the vendor spending his time attending to chassis improvements including new springs all round (bound) from British Springs of Bridgnorth who by chance still retained the original drawings. New spring bushes and spring sliders were also fitted along with a brake overhaul with copper pipes and a new set of tyres. The kingpins and bushes were also renewed, after which a glorious 1,000 miles or so were covered.

Sadly, not long after that, a big-end started to make itself heard and the vendor removed the engine to investigate. By now losing enthusiasm for the car, he never got round to finishing the job, but confirms that the engine was found to be in excellent condition otherwise, including the all-important liner-faces, top surface and head stud mountings. At the time he was able to source a set of brand-new, old-stock cylinder liners, which are of the desirable centrifugal cast type along with a new set of pistons.

As far as he is aware, the engine is complete as dismantled and includes the triple carburettors and early dual-mass flywheel, this being AC's cure to reduce a characteristic vibration period exhibited by the engine at about 40mph. Hitherto, AC's Chief Engineer S F Edge had advised their salesforce to describe this period as a ‘power roar’!

Essentially a very sound example, needing a straightforward bottom end rebuild and a general light recommissioning, this attractive model with its super, original interior includes a number of the more desirable AC two-litre features such as 17” wheels, an ENV back axle, Moss gearbox, white dials, scuttle vents and full hydraulic brakes. The perfect job for those summer evenings in the shed!