zoom_in Click to enlarge

AC Cars

▲ ▼

language

description AC Cars Overview

AC Cars is a British automobile manufacturer with roots in the early twentieth century and a history centered on low-volume sports cars. It is most closely associated with the AC Ace and the V8-powered AC Cobra developed from that platform through collaboration with Carroll Shelby. The marque is of particular interest to sports-car buyers, collectors, and historians because the Cobra became an influential combination of a lightweight British chassis and American Ford power.

help AC Cars FAQ

Which famous American car designer helped AC Cars create the legendary Cobra?

The iconic AC Cobra was developed through a collaboration with the American racer and designer Carroll Shelby. He approached AC Cars in the early 1960s to install a Ford V8 engine into their lightweight AC Ace chassis.

Does AC Cars still manufacture the classic Cobra today?

Yes, AC Cars still exists and continues to produce extremely limited continuation models of the original Cobra. In recent years, they have collaborated with modern engineering firms to release electric versions of the classic Cobra, such as the Series 1 electric.

What was the base chassis used for the original AC Cobra?

The AC Cobra was based heavily on the AC Ace, a lightweight British sports car. The Ace featured a simple but effective ladder chassis and an independent suspension system designed by John Tojeiro.

What type of engines did the early AC Ace models use before the Ford V8?

Before the Ford V8 was introduced, the early AC Ace relied on a 2.0-liter straight-six engine produced by Bristol. This engine was based on a pre-war BMW design and provided excellent reliability for racing.

swap_horiz

Looking for AC Cars alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward