Charles and William Hurlock...and still the finest!
When William Lyons announced the SS1 Coupe in 1931, chassis and 16hp engine was exclusive to Standard. Somehow, the samples of the chassis found their way to the Thames Ditton factory and AC engines were installed, putting a price tag of £320 against the SS of £310!
1933: Four new cars were entered in the RAC Rally, all of them took prizes. The four-seater sports driven by Miss Kitty Brunel scored an outright win, Charles Hurlock took fourth place, William Hurlock sixth and Mrs G. Daniel finished in seventh and took first prize in the concours d’elegance.
1937: AC Cars export to North America.
1939:Withthe outbreak of World War 2, all production facilities were turned over to the war effort for the manufacture of fire-fighting equipment, aircraft parts, radar vans, flame throwers, guns and sights.
1945: When the war activities over, thoughts again turned to motor cars. Slowly, following much development and improvement production grew.
1950: Five cars per week were produced of the Two Litre model, which was available in several body styles.
1952: John Tojeiro's sports racing car formed the basis of the alloy-bodied Ace which, with gently revised lines and the Weller engine, was introduced in 1953. This was later joined by the Aceca and Greyhound, with the options in 1954 and 1961 of Bristol and Ford engines respectively.
1953: The AC Ace, an open top two-seater sports car was launched and produced and quickly gained a big following amongst sporting motorists. It was highly successful in British Club racing, being the type of fast, tough car that a private owner could race or rally and still use for everyday motoring. The AC Cobra evolved from the AC Ace.
