AC 3000ME
Picture the scene… It is 1973, I am 14 and things are dropping with me, including my voice. On my bedroom wall is a picture of Mary Millington (ask your Dad about her) and also the brand-new sales brochure for the AC 3000ME. I’m in awe of them both… and could not afford either.
But dreams are dreams and this car has always been one of my dream cars to own.
First revealed 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 and features a monocoque perimeter steel chassis with a substantial bolt-on front and rear subframe, a double bulkhead structure, an internal roll-over bar and additional steel beams inside the doors. With lightweight GRP bodywork, chunky Wolfrace 7 x 14 alloys and an aggressive wedge styling, the mid mounted Ford 3-Litre V6 mated to a 5-speed Hewland gearbox gave it a 0-60 of 8.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 120mph… and a lovely soundtrack from the twin stainless steel exhausts.
Ride and handling is excellent thanks to precise rack-and-pinion steering, all-round disc brakes and four wheel independent suspension with anti-squat and anti-dive geometry. It was set to be a winner but sadly this was not to be. The combination of a worldwide recession and the poor health of the company owner Derek Hurlock meant that AC went bust in 1985 after just 106 examples had been made.
First registered in May 1986, this Cherry Red AC 3000(cc) ME (mid-engine) is chassis number 210 which makes it the third from last car built (chassis numbers ran from 104 to 212 but 105 and 107 were never used). I am the third owner; the first owner having kept the car until 2011 (3,760 miles).
The mileage is an incredible 4,333 (June 2018) and very slowly creeping up this summer but is and has always been part of a private collection. Originally supplied by B&H Motors of Whetstone, London N20, the car retains the original dealer sticker in the rear window and dealer-monogrammed number plates.
The car is a ‘time capsule’ for many reasons, not least for its originality but in its rarity by showing the designs and aspirations of a few brave individuals back in the early 1970s.
Evidence would suggest this car had never been driven in the rain up until my purchase. My good luck no doubt, it still hasn’t seen rain but as I love to drive it, I am sure it will one day. Period features include the original Radiomobile radio with electric aerial… how posh back then! Sunroof storage bag, tool roll and wheel changing kit.
I knew of the AC 3000 ME as many will, but they are rarely seen, and this is perhaps the most original and lowest mileage example you could ever hope to find and I consider myself a very lucky custodian.
Did I make the right decision?
Anorak facts: AC Cars Ltd, formerly known as Auto Carriers Ltd, is a British specialist automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest surviving independent car makers founded in Britain. The name still exists and is owned by Alan Lubinsky. In 2012 General Sir Jeremy Mackenzie GCB OBE took over as CEO. He can also boast the following accolades: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, the American Legion of Merit twice, the Czech Republic’s Cross of Merit First Class, the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary and the Order of Madara Horseman First Class of Bulgaria. I pity the person responsible for the lettering on his office door. Will there be another AC in the future? Sir Jeremy certainly hopes so.
Jonothan Smith
N. Yorks