Lot details
Registration No: CA 5773
Chassis No: 8066
Mot Expiry: None

Introduced in 1913, AC's first four-wheeled model - known as the 10hp or Ten - was designed by marque co-founder John Weller. Employing a proprietary Fivet 1094cc engine, the accomplished newcomer had yet to fulfil its potential when World War One broke out. After four blood-soaked years the advent of peace raised valid concerns over the French Fivet factory's ability to recommence supply. Thus, late 1918 saw AC place an order with British Anzani for 2,000 of the latter's acclaimed 1.5 litre 11.9hp powerplants. Strong, light and tunable, the four-cylinder unit was described by its creator, Gustave Maclure, as follows: "the side-valve Anzani was the product of everything I learnt at Rolls-Royce, especially from Royce. You could say it was a Rolls-Royce design". Initially available in Sports (two-seater) or Tourer (two-seater plus dickey) guises, the AC 12hp was based on a channel-section steel chassis equipped with cantilever suspension, Marles steering, rear-wheel brakes and a three-speed transaxle (the latter incorporating an additional 'disc' brake mounted behind the worm drive differential). Appointed to the board of directors in 1921, S.F. Edge (of Napier fame) instigated a competition programme that yielded success at Brooklands, Montlhery and the Brighton Speed Trials thanks to the driving skills of Sammy Davis, J.A. Joyce and T.G. Gillett. Reformed after the resignation of its founders as AC Cars Ltd during 1922, the company was bought outright by S.F. Edge some five years later for £135,000. Though, by then the Thames Ditton-based firm's focus was on its own alloy 1991cc SOHC straight-six engine. A victim of The Great Depression, AC went into voluntary liquidation in 1929 (but was rescued by the Hurlock brothers soon afterwards).

This particular example, car number 8066, is the last part of a private collection to be dispersed. Stabled for many years alongside a variety of Lagondas including a LG45 Rapide, the AC has been little exercised during the current ownership (indeed an accompanying tax disc indicates that it was last on the road in 1981). Running and driving upon inspection (20th August 2010), the 12hp will nevertheless require recommissioning prior to use. Sporting such niceties as a CAV lighting set (fork-mounted headlamps, bullseye sidelamps and diver's bell rear lamps), brass gear-selector gate, well-stocked dashboard, side-mounted spare wheel, tool kit and hood / sidescreens, the Tourer exudes a gentle patina. As well as being fitted with a correct-type but later engine, the AC shows other signs of past restoration work (though, the upholstery to its dickey seat could well be original).

However, 'CA 5773' has not always led such a quiet life. Niggled by fraternal taunts, the previous keeper Tony Condon accepted a bet that he and a friend could not drive the old, 'unreliable' AC from Rutland Mews, London to John O'Groats and back within 48 hours. Sharing the helm with Mike Hunt and enjoying the luxury of a support vehicle (a long wheelbase Land Rover crewed by Tony Tringham, John Weeks and Dave Kortright) Condon sallied forth on May 28th 1969. Surviving a broken dynamo drive belt and several punctures, the 12hp outpaced its Landie shadow on several occasions. Writing in the Vintage Sports Car Club's Bulletin magazine (Summer 1969 issue), Tony Tringham painted a vivid picture of the epic journey:

"Within the first 100 yards, the pattern of the run was set, the AC promptly outrunning the tender! Throughout the trip this was to happen; motorways apart, the Land Rover had to be driven right on the limit to keep up with the little car; particularly in the Highlands was this noticeable . . . During his off-duty period Tony Condon made the interesting discovery that the contents of his grog box and lunch basket had become inextricably mixed, the eventual result being almost certainly the first time anyone has suffered a hangover from sandwiches . . . Now the extraordinary truth became obvious; the fact was that in difficult country, with a 1923 car, Mike Hunt was averaging over 40mph in complete darkness on sidelights only . . . We arrived back at our starting point at 11:15am, 43 hours 45 minutes after leaving. After 1,587 miles the AC required no oil or water, a truly astonishing performance, also the electrics returned to duty when dried out . . . The greatest possible credit reflects on Tony Condon and Mike Hunt for a remarkable feat of driving, no chances being taken and the car being held well within its limits. Was it worth it? We who took part know it was".

Known to Colin Dunn - the Vintage Section Registrar of the AC Owners Club - but out of circulation for decades, 'CA 5773' is a charming car made doubly so by its past adventures. Riding on disc wheels, the Tourer is offered for sale with a V5C Registration Document (which shows erroneous chassis and engine numbers for some unknown reason) and copy of the aforementioned VSCC Bulletin.