AC Ace and NO IVA - interesting!

[smash]

Following the Sammio approach of using Triumph Vitesse unmodified chassis.

Quality looks very good from pics (as much as you can tell) - straight 6 will sound the part. Easy wire wheel options.....Looks interesting!! And no IVA

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-Ace-recreation-no-SVA...

[scubadude]

Oooo, that looks rather interesting but isn't the Vitesse abit poo/rare now?

http://www.martletandcrown.co.uk/

Edited by scubadude on Friday 5th December 10:44

[Fury1630]

smash said:

And no IVA

..... no brakes ...... no seat belts ...... no peformance .......

I'd rather pay for the IVA & have a decent chassis

[smash]

I suspect a Vitesse is actually quite a good match for the original performance levels of the Ace tbh.

Depends what you want but I'll wager there's a massive cost differential between one of these and say building a Hawk 289 to factor of at the very least X2 - the ACe's he did make will set you back £30k for a completed one these days

Edited by smash on Friday 5th December 13:46

[RochdaleGT]

"I'd rather pay for the IVA & have a decent chassis"

fully agree

front suspension is good, but rear is cr*p...which makes the complete project worthless.

similar the sammio / ribble kits...

if those cars would have a sturdy tubular chassis or at least a 5-linked live-axle everything would be fine.

unfortunately there isnt a donor, No-Iva chassis on the market.

[rdodger]

Looks like a lot of fun for little money! It probably drives a lot like the original Ace.

I like the idea of the likes of Sammio taking the kit car world back to where it started.

You could always build your own chassis and IVA it.

[one eyed mick]

Perhaps moronic musing but would that body graft on to mx5 running gear ?

[LLantrisant]

even if it would fit....that "new" car would be subject to IVA as the mx5 hasnt an independant chassis

Edited by LLantrisant on Monday 29th December 23:09

[Fastpedeller]

Could be another 'fit' onto the MEV Replicar chassis - Yes it would require IVA, but will be a lot better end result. Why build a car which will last a long time, and not spend a few quid extra? Spread over the life of the car, the extra cost is minimal. I suspect the bodywork wouldn't be up to MEV's quality though?

[ugg10]

Wheelbase may be slightly out mx5 mk1/2 is 89.2", vitesse is 91.5", original ac ace is 90". All pretty close but may need a bit of fettling around the arches to fit. The Replicar chassis, with this body and a lexus is200 straight 6 on bike tbs and 6 speed box would be a very nice car.

[LLantrisant]

Fastpedeller said:

Could be another 'fit' onto the MEV Replicar chassis - Yes it would require IVA, but will be a lot better end result. Why build a car which will last a long time, and not spend a few quid extra? Spread over the life of the car, the extra cost is minimal. I suspect the bodywork wouldn't be up to MEV's quality though?

fully agree.

a lot of re-body kits are popping up at the moment...more or less all based on "existing" body-designs and the majority are using the readily available, cheapish triumph herald / spit chassis.

i dont know why people are so mean. they invest hundreds of hours in their garage for building a car..and everything is based on saving 1000pound (1x IVA, plus 2 re-tests, plus additonal investmentin the car for passing IVA).

thats not worth it...but its matching well with today´s bargain-hunting mentality...everything must be cheap!!

[Roman]

LLantrisant said:

Fastpedeller said:

Could be another 'fit' onto the MEV Replicar chassis - Yes it would require IVA, but will be a lot better end result. Why build a car which will last a long time, and not spend a few quid extra? Spread over the life of the car, the extra cost is minimal. I suspect the bodywork wouldn't be up to MEV's quality though?

fully agree.

a lot of re-body kits are popping up at the moment...more or less all based on "existing" body-designs and the majority are using the readily available, cheapish triumph herald / spit chassis.

i dont know why people are so mean. they invest hundreds of hours in their garage for building a car..and everything is based on saving 1000pound (1x IVA, plus 2 re-tests, plus additonal investmentin the car for passing IVA).

thats not worth it...but its matching well with today´s bargain-hunting mentality...everything must be cheap!!

The track of a modern donor like an MX5 or indeed the MEV replicar chassis, whilst fine for a wider 'DB inspired car' is far too wide for an authentically proportioned replica of a late '50s sports car like the AC Ace which was under 60" wide - over 6" narrower than even a mk1 MX5.

There is also an argument for a replica that features some of the technology, look, feel and sound of the original classic - facilitated by a carb fed straight 6 2.0 or 2.5 litre Triumph engine, period style instruments, seats, wheels etc.

For me part of the appeal of this type of replica is to recreate some of the character, technology and experience of the original car. There are plenty of proven braking and suspension upgrades such as camber compensators are available to 'tame' the Triumph suspension and braking performance. The main question for me would be the stiffness and strength of the chassis, body shell and inner tub combined and I'd like to try an example of the car before making a judgement.

Personally I'd prefer this approach to an ill-proportioned widened Ace with modern wheels, instruments etc or a 4cyl powered wide arched 289FIA/427 style car.

If you want a roadster/sports racer with modern performance there are several other excellent kit options available. I think there's room for both types of kit.

Edited by Roman on Tuesday 6th January 21:15

[Fastpedeller]

Roman said:

I think there's room for both types of kit.

Edited by Roman on Tuesday 6th January 21:15

I won't disagree with you on that...... each to his own choice. That's a great bonus that Kit Cars give us, something individual, something unique.

[LLantrisant]

but what are the "real" reasons behind this re-body hype?


1. stricter tests (e.g. IVA)?
2. that those tests cost money? even they have something to do with road-safety
3. lack of ideas from the kitcar industry?
4. demand from the market, beaucse IVA kits are too expensive?
5. easier for the industry to make money / profit?


i have listed 5 major points and 3 of them have to do with money.

conclusion: its like everything today: the consumer wants something "cheap" instead accepting the task of modern kitcar building.
and the industry wants to make a quick / easy profit

[Roman]

LLantrisant said:

but what are the "real" reasons behind this re-body hype?


1. stricter tests (e.g. IVA)?
2. that those tests cost money? even they have something to do with road-safety
3. lack of ideas from the kitcar industry?
4. demand from the market, beaucse IVA kits are too expensive?
5. easier for the industry to make money / profit?


i have listed 5 major points and 3 of them have to do with money.

conclusion: its like everything today: the consumer wants something "cheap" instead accepting the task of modern kitcar building.
and the industry wants to make a quick / easy profit

Regarding points 3 & 5 - Manufacturers have to offer products people want to buy merely to survive, I think few manufacturers make big profits. Due to market demand a classic replica offers greater chance on successful return on investment and requires far lower R&D & tooling costs than an original design requiring bespoke, low volume (expensive) fixtures and fittings.

Regarding points 1, 2 and 4 - I think simplicity of build and reduced build time mean these cars are less likely to become abandoned projects and are far stronger selling points than 'perceived' lower costs IMO - particularly if you are a first time builder and live far from an SVA station. Cost savings aren't that great once you add the cost of paint, trim, fittings etc. I'm sure Hawk used to sell their Ace replica body and chassis for under £6k - though I'm not sure about the current price..

[cjb44]

rdodger said:

Looks like a lot of fun for little money! It probably drives a lot like the original Ace.

I like the idea of the likes of Sammio taking the kit car world back to where it started.

You could always build your own chassis and IVA it.

You obviously have never driven a genuine AC Ace, they were the car to beat in their day and still are as far as handling goes etc. Even the original AC engine would have given a Vitesse engine a run for it's money, and today with various tuning mods and strengthening of the engine they are a force to be reckoned with.