The AC Brooklands Ace is an Ultra-Rare British Sports Car
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- Опубліковано 31 бер 2023
- Like many British car manufacturers, AC Cars has a potted history. But in the 1990s, they succeeded the Cobra with an all-new, Ford-backed, British-built small-block V8 Ace.
This car is to be auctioned by Manor Park Classics: manorparkclassics.com/
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Thanks for watching folks!
Apologies for the audio irregularities in this one. My audio isn't great at the best of times, but I was using new and borrowed equipment for this one. I had thought it unusable, but with some serious work it's come out okay. Sorry for the clipping and levels doing weird things too. The equipment I was using appears to have an automatic level system that doesn't work very well.
It wasn't that bad!
Was alright. You can put it through adobe AI audio though to help bits in future.
I wish I could afford the Adobe suite!
looks like a NB Miata
This young guy has a great future ahead of him he's so informative and knowledgeable of his subject .
The audio isn't too bad, the content more than makes up for it. Interesting car, never heard of it. Your analysis of it is really interesting. And you prove you don't need to drive a car to make an interesting car film.
I had to research this car because I had never heard of it. Very interesting. ❤
Thanks mate, very kind of you to say :)
I don't hate footage of a host driving a car, but it's probably the least interesting part. I sometimes skip past Doug getting it on the road and go straight to the Dougscore.
@@craigluft7453 My favourite footage of a 'host' driving a car is Peter Brock commenting on a lap of Bathurst while actually racing. He's just so relaxed about it. If you look for "Bathurst 1986 - Brock Talks Through a Lap" you'll find the film.
The 3000ME is one of my alltime favourites.
Really good assessment of this forgotten AC. I have rarely seen one at a show or on the road but its the AC3000ME that really caught my imagination at the time it came out. Again you rarely see them but it would be great if you ever get the chance to focus on that model.
Thanks Paul :)
I'd love to do a 3000ME someday.
Kudos for featuring the AC Ace in this video, Ed. Great job 👍👍
Thanks mate.
Yep, completely forgotten about that one. Good job Ed.
Great history of the AC Brooklands Ace Ed remember seeing the AC Ace concept at the '86 NEC Motor Show when I was a 12 year old 👌👌👌
Thanks Neil :)
I have to ask, in the context of 1986, what did you think of the concept?
@@TwinCam I thought it looked great the concept AC Ace Ed
One problem the Brooklands Ace has is that it looks far to much like a Marcos
It does rather look like a Marcos, though I'm not sure that's overly a bad thing ;)
Many of us know some bits of the AC story so thanks for putting it all together around the Brooklands Ace, excellent video Ed!
Thanks mate :)
Love the softened "pre-90's supercar wedge" stylings of that '86 Ace concept at 5:04
70's and 80's supercars are my absolute favorite vehicle design era, if I had to pick a favorite it would be a red DOME-0 concept or the W8 Vector.
Headlight glass overflow coverings , would've enhanced the overall aesthetics of this machine , and visually at least , put it on par with a lot of other well known sports cars from that era .
Really enjoyed this. Such an interesting history.
Let's hope that we can get some more AC videos in the future!
Thanks Philip :)
I saw the prototype of this (not the Sierra-like '80s one) under construction in 1991, which still had the V6 and 4WD. There was a craze for 4WD sports cars at that time. I was impressed by Angliss, until he stated he wanted to take on Mercedes. Best to stay as a niche manufacturer, although hand-rolling panels on an English wheel was not cheap!
Great video. I bought this car and as the reporter says it is an enigma. In many ways the car is too complicated and miss matches Mercedes and Ford controls. AC had moved from basic engineering in their previous models to a car that demanded high levels of electronic expertise and the company just did not have that expertise. What they did do well is the construction of the chassis ,body and trim and although not to every one's taste the cars are well regarded by their owners.
Oh yes! Nice one. You had me there. Ehen you teased us with “rare AC” I was thinking Greyhound, 2-litre saloon, but I completely forgot about this absolute gem.
Bravo!
To be fair, almost every AC is rare! XD
Brilliant video, I remember these from magazines back in the day. The idea of Ford selling another brand's car in their showroom reminds me of the Detomaso Pantera of the 70s
Thanks for bringing this to us. Never seen or heard of one before.
What a beautiful work of art
I love the front styling. Looks like a Marcos’s older brother
The styling reminds me of the Mitsubishi 3000GT, particularly at the front when the later model did away with the pop up lights.
While the Cobra will live on in history as one of the greatest cars ever made, the Ace is just was fantastic. I love them both dearly.
Another Brilliant Video, a great looking car and never noticed any issues with the sound at all.
Thanks as always mate :)
This weekend's video, if you're interested in watching it, you certainly will notice sound issues!
Your videos are awesome!
Thanks Ed really enjoyed the video very unusual car
Thanks mate :)
I did a body and chassis repair on one of these and did about a week of driving to get it dialed in. Questions from folk at petrol station and shops would be: is that a kit car? Is that a Marcos? Is that an MX-5? Not once did anyone guess AC! I felt sorry for the owner!
Great video about a very rare car, thanks. Two small notes tho. 1, Brian Anglis' name ins pronounced Ang'lis as far as I'm aware and, 2, the headlight covers did make production. It was seeing one today that brought me to this video and the lights were definitely covered on this Grey J reg example. I've never seen one out and about before, only at car shows!
Shelby used it as the basis for its Series 1 along with Panoz here in the states.
Very good vid. I dont know much about cars but this looks posh. Very well done with your explanation. TY for sharing :)
Thanks Tricia :)
Wonderful video on such a rare car! 👏
Thanks as always Phillip :)
Headlights (I agree that they should be shrouded) and the auto box aside, looks like a very nice car. Good review!
Thanks Leonardo :)
Another gorgeous and extremely rare British classic. AC is Britain's oldest marque, I seem to remember. How about a look at some other often overlooked beasties, like a Gordon Keeble, or a Jensen-Healey sports?
I see what you are saying about the front end, it has a bit of a Marcus vibe about it, another great video, a shame that you couldn't take it out on the road.
It does have a fair amount of Marcos in it, now you've mentioned it!
I wish I could have, but insurance didn't allow.
Ed.....Fantastic idea for a video!
I had to actually research this car AND brand before I could watch this video. I thought I recognized AC.....as in AC Cobra, but I wanted to be sure.
Could you put some thought into doing videos on other AC models? I really like the 50s/60s AC that resembles the Austin Healeys. Also the Frua....never even heard of this one....but it's super cool
Thanks as always mate :)
I'd love to do some more, but I need to be offered them first!
very good looking car.
I've always wanted an AC 428 Frua, bit like the Mistral but nicer...
One point - the Cobra Coupe tested on the M1 wasn't a Shelby Daytona but AC's own design of coupe Cobra, the A98. Similar but a completely seperate design.
Ah that's interesting to hear. I didn't know AC did their own Coupe for the Cobra, so I just assumed!
The headlamps would benefit from a plexiglass cover that follows the contours of the front end.
This is terrific. Well done as always, Ed.
There is a very good reason that Shelby pulled out if the Cobra. AC was bought by Chrysler Corporation. Since the Cobra had been using a Ford engine, Chrysler was not going to buying Ford engines. Unfortunately Chrysler had no V8 that would fit under the bonnet of the Ace. Even the 273 or later 302 were compact enough to allow installation.
I don't recall Chrysler Corporation ever owning AC,however Shelby was involved in the development of the Sunbeam Tiger and when Rootes Group was purchased by Chrysler Corporation for obvious reasons Ford pulled out of supplying engines for the Tiger and that was the end of the model.😢
Isn't Brooklands a abandoned racetrack? "Remember I am from across the pond." I think the car still looks good today; I would have no problems taking it out for road trips. Thanks to Ed for his time and work.....
One of the first permanent race tracks ever built. Now only parts of it exist.
@@simmadpaul2880 First time I heard of Brooklands I thought it was in Brooklyn New Youk, "that was years ago" lol
Thanks as always Mike :)
Brooklands was the first ever permanent racing circuit, built in 1907, two years before Indy, and fifteen before Monza!
Some of it still does exist, and if you look at the shots of the concept car, you can see the banking in the background.
@@TwinCam Looked at it on google earth birds eye and street view. Also found a vid or two on it. It seems it was a drive by the seat of your pants and hope for the best track. "lol" I liked the Air Museum -- they even have a Concorde SST there.... Well off to work for me.
If this car featured lens covers it would look like a jaguar or Ferrari from the front, possibly
Now all you need to do is get one of the Bristol Fighters with the Viper V10! That’s even rarer than this I think 😊
I can't believe you came to Runcorn, I'm in Widnes and a metro owner like yourself, hopefully get to introduce myself one day.
It's not the coming to Runcorn that's unbelievable - it's the fact that he managed to find his way out again.
Have you been over to say hi to us at Manor Park Classics? You don’t need to be buying or selling to pop in for a brew. 👍🏻
@@damianrigby6715 i am coming on the 8th with Northwest casual classics, hoping to view the rover 216 with a view to bid in the auction.
Although it featured a GM-sourced different engine and was unlikely to be related to the AC Brooklands Ace given much of the Ace's mechanicals was said to be rooted from Ford, could not help notice the similarities between the AC Brooklands Ace and Shelby Series 1.
That's a very good observation. I don't know how I missed that!
Another low volume car we in the US missed. I disagree about the front end I find it unique and the head light covers would have made it look like too many other cars of the time. It's always a shame to see small manufacturers with the ability to change direction quickly but not enough cash to offset so many pot holes In the road.
In the style they were on the XJ220, I think it would have been pretty unique. Unlike many pop-up headlamps, the Jag's didn't. The panel was oval shaped, much like the recess on the final AC, and the panel fell down into the body work, exposing the lamps.
Very interesting car, but from the side it looks like a Mark 1 MX5 with the wrong aspect ratio. A noble failure as Jay Leno might say.
I don't think it's very similar to an MX-5, other than them both being curvy FR '90s convertible sports cars. The general form isn't massively modifiable.
Another corking video. I remember that car magazine loved this motor but I preferred the AC428 with bodywork by Frua via Italian washing machine sheet metal .... do they rot or what! Perhaps that fact is why stainless steel was chosen for the 1990s Ace. Always a big mistake to fit a PRNDL to a "Sports" car. The 428 was the same. Imagine a 427 Cobra with the the slightly less powerful 7 litre Police Interceptor engine fitted and the most beautiful body ever, spoiled by a slush box. I remember that the Iso Grifo was available with a TWO soeed powerglide transmission .... slushy and slushier!! Some unimaginative Americans actually specified that box. Might as well bought the Camaro with the same drive-train
New AC Cobra in April 2023!
So here we have a car that is so rare there were only ever 46 of them, and which is up for sale, no doubt with a very large price tag. Two very good reasons why you wouldn't be driving this one.
However, I'm sure some berk will still comment something along the lines of "Why didn't you drive it?"
Touche!
😂 it would be so funny to just watch Ed take off with the salespeople running after him.
I had a comment I've now deleted saying 'I wish you'd stop doing these advertisements so you can drive the cars again'. Yeah, okay then. To start with, we'll just lose a chunk of my income, and second, the comment assumed I haven't been driving many cars recently because they're for sale, but the reality is that my insurance situation is such that the individuals would rather I didn't drive the cars. Never underestimate the stupidity of the YT Comments. Only Facebook comes close.
@@TwinCam I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiment!
Interesting car, shame we never got a look under the bonnet.
Yeah, sorry about that.
I only realised I had no shots when I got home. When I got to the end of recording the B-Roll, it started pouring down (you'll notice that the main roll shots show a wet car). And when I finished the main roll, it started raining again, so in the event I simply forgot.
Hi there ,I wonder if you can help me. I have just bought myself a 1997 rover 114 SLI. It’s only done 29,000 miles from new and totally rust free. It’s last cam belt and water pump change was at 26,000 miles in 2008. So I won’t be driving it until it’s been changed. My question is. I have genuine oil filters and a genuine water pump for the 1.4 twin cam k series engine. Do you think they will fit the 114 8 valve engine ?
Hi Troy, congratulations on your buy!
I’d suggest the oil filter will be the same. I’ve never heard them change during K-Series production, so I see no reason why not. There were a number of changes made to the K, first in 1992, then again in 1995, so I’d double check by removing parts, then cross referencing part numbers and their appearance with the new ones. If you haven’t already, join the Metro Owners’ Club (Discussion) on Facebook. We’re a friendly bunch, and some clever folks know everything there is to know, so I’m sure we’ll be able to answer your queries with certainty as a community!
@@TwinCam hi thanks for your reply, I currently have an mg zr that I’m selling so that’s why I’ve got those bits. But I am really surprised at how there seems to be so many less parts for sale than for the zr on eBay .the metro I’ve bought was registered 1 month before they stopped selling them. I would have preferred the metro version but when I saw the condition of this one I couldn’t say no. Everyone I’ve look at for sale the mot history has allways had a big list of previous welding or advisories for needing welding. This one won’t be going out in the rain. And I will be flooding everywhere with wax .
Fantastic!
My guidance would be to avoid EBay for Metro bits. Unless they’re new old stock they’re usually of poor quality - ask me how I know 🌝
Rimmer Bros. have most of the bits mechanically, but bulk orders are best as they charge a fortune for postage.
Plus, they have diagrams of what’s what so you definitely buy the right bits.
@@TwinCam that’s why I’m hopping the genuine water pump I have will be the same. I use rimmers a fair bit. But I thought they didn’t have much for the metro. I will have another look. Thanks.
They have almost everything for the K-Series Metros. Next to nothing for the A-Series ones 😅 Fortunately for the Austins and MGs though, Mini Spares have loads. If you’ve ever used Discount MG Rover Spares before, be careful. Great company, but their bits often are for the later cars and don’t generally fit Metros. However, I’m sure the water pump will be fine. There are a few gurus in the owners club with access to every part number, so they’re the ones to ask about changes in parts over time.
yay
Doesn’t it have a bit of Jag XK8 somewhere in there?
I see it, but it predates the XK8 by three years. So if it does, then Jag stole it from the AC.
Looks like ford stole it for the DB7 convertible !!
It does look rather DB7 from the front quarter. I did nearly mention it, but as the DB7 launched the following year, I thought I wouldn't bother XD
You're gonna need a bigger shift lever
What do they sell for today?
I'm not really sure, due to rarity. But we'll see when it goes for auction!
Great presentation. So professional. As for AC, what level of ineptitude is required to think you can make a hand built car for less that an equivalent mass produced one, and to charge £70k when the costs are £170k. Staggering incompetence…
Thanks mate 🙂
I suppose some people’s heads are bigger than their wallets 😅
Side on, I would just assume it's an mx5 with some new panels if I didn't know any better
I don't think it's very similar to an MX-5, other than them both being curvy FR '90s convertible sports cars. The general form isn't massively modifiable.
Looks like a Mazda Miata.
Get the chance.....look @ a Stonefield., Ford V 6 ... 4 x 4 ...
Hench MX-5
I think that 3000ME is better looking than that Brooklands Ace.
The front end ...... modern Daimler Dart ...
That's a good point.
I like the look of the front end.
Agree some of the ford interior fitments aren't right, the seats look to be from sierra or escort cosworth
But I'd happily have one.
More importantly what's the cavalier in the background of some of the shots
Like any Mk3 Cavalier, interesting only because it's old. Other than that, really boring.
I don't think the seats are from a Ford, though I could be wrong. They feel too comfortable. Then again, could be from something like a Scorpio?
Front headlights seem like they are from BMW.
If anyone has one for sale pls DM me
Very Lister Jag style twin headlight.. unfortunately not very good ....
Sounds like a bone-stock Mustang 5.0 of the era; at least it would've been easy and cheap to add power.
Absolutely. And the revised 1997 car had a Modular engine rather than the old Small Block.
Rare Ford powered British sports cars? You should hunt down a Panther Solo.
12:21, every sports and supercar manufacturer used mainstream parts? Not TVR in the interior.
Bloody hell, that's one I'd forgotten about. I believe Car magazine had it on their cover the week they reviewed the Metro GTi.
That is true, along with the likes of Pagani, Spyker, and Ferrari in the last 15 years even.
Looks like a Mazda Mx5 Jensen healey hybrid. Probably a decent car but over priced at the time.
Anyone else spot the Vauxhall Cavalier?!
In that 1980s concept? That's what I was thinking. For a car taking a lot from the Ford parts bin, the nose is surprisingly Vauxhall droop snoot, particularly a HS Chevette!
... oh yeah, and the mk3 parked in the background
@@sporkfindus4777 No over Ed's left shoulder when he was standing at the rear of the AC. A Silver Mk 3.
Good catch! I didn't see it the first time
I also think it looks like a tvr
I immediately thought Chevette or Cavalier but then thought Marcos
That’s a Miata. I don’t care what you say.
It's not that similar to an MX-5, other than them both being curvy FR '90s convertible sports cars.
Anyone with eyes wouldn't ever mistake the two in the flesh.