AC Cars, originally founded as Auto Carriers Ltd. in 1901, is one of Britain’s oldest independent automobile manufacturers. The company was established by the Weller brothers in West Norwood, London, and later moved to Thames Ditton, Surrey, where it became known for producing lightweight sports cars.
AC gained prominence with models like the AC Ace, which later evolved into the legendary AC Cobra after collaboration with Carroll Shelby in the 1960s. Over the years, AC Cars faced financial struggles, leading to multiple ownership changes, but it continued to produce high-performance sports cars. Today, AC Cars remains active, with modern versions of the AC Cobra and other models being developed.
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AC 428 Fastback Coupe (1965-73)
When the **AC 428 Fastback Coupe** was introduced in **1967**, its purpose was to offer a **luxurious grand tourer** that combined **British engineering, Italian styling, and American muscle**. Designed by **Pietro Frua**, it was intended to compete with high-end GT cars like the **Aston Martin DB6 and Jensen Interceptor**.
Expectations were high, as the **428 Fastback Coupe** featured a **Ford 428 V8 engine**, delivering **345 horsepower** and a **145 mph top speed**, making it a **powerful yet refined touring car**. Despite its **exquisite design and strong performance**, high production costs and limited demand resulted in **only 51 coupes being built**, making it a **rare and sought-after classic today** Review | Honest John - Honest John Classics](https://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/reviews/ac/428/).
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Get The Complete Picture. If you are interested enough to read about classic cars you will be interested in the environment in which they were created.
Check out our Cost of Living pages indicated below to better understand the limitations of the period in which classic cars evolved.
AC Cobra 427 (1965-67)
When the AC Cobra 427 was introduced in **1965**, its purpose was to push the boundaries of **performance and raw power**, creating one of the most extreme road and race cars of its time. Developed through **Carroll Shelby’s collaboration with AC Cars**, it was designed to compete with **Ferrari and Corvette**, offering **unmatched acceleration and handling**.
Expectations were high, as the **427 Cobra** featured a **massive 7.0L Ford V8**, producing **over 425 horsepower**, paired with a **wider chassis and coil-spring suspension** to handle the immense power. It quickly gained a reputation for **brutal speed and aggressive styling**, becoming a legend in **motorsport and collector circles**.
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Get The Complete Picture. If you are interested enough to read about classic cars you will be interested in the environment in which they were created.
Check out our Cost of Living pages indicated below to better understand the limitations of the period in which classic cars evolved.
AC Cobra 289 (1963-65)
When the AC Cobra 289 was introduced in **1962**, its purpose was to merge **British craftsmanship with American muscle**, creating a **lightweight, high-performance sports car** that could compete internationally. Developed through **Carroll Shelby’s collaboration with AC Cars**, it was designed to challenge **European racing dominance**, particularly Ferrari.
Expectations were high, as the **289 Cobra** featured a **Ford small-block V8**, delivering **strong acceleration and raw power** in a **nimble AC Ace chassis**. It quickly gained a reputation for **outstanding performance**, proving itself in **motorsport and road use**, laying the foundation for the **legendary Cobra legacy**.
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Get The Complete Picture. If you are interested enough to read about classic cars you will be interested in the environment in which they were created.
Check out our Cost of Living pages indicated below to better understand the limitations of the period in which classic cars evolved.
AC 3000 ME (1979-85)
When the AC 3000 ME was introduced in **1979**, its purpose was to bring **mid-engined sports car performance** to a broader audience while maintaining **British engineering excellence**. Originally based on the **Bohanna-Stables Diablo prototype**, AC aimed to create a **compact, agile sports car** that could rival European competitors.
Expectations were high, as the **3000 ME** featured a **3.0L Ford Essex V6 engine**, a **custom steel perimeter frame**, and a **mid-engine layout**, promising **sharp handling and strong acceleration**. However, **production delays and financial struggles** limited its success, making it a **rare and intriguing classic today**.
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