AC cars are once again in production in the UK. Assembly operations at the plant in Frimley, Surrey have recommenced following the conclusion of a supply agreement with Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas, USA. Ten employees are now back at the factory working on the cars.
The long-term agreement calls for the annual delivery of around 50 aluminium body shells mounted on traditional steel chassis for sale in North America through Shelby’s network of more than 20 dealers. The cars will be completed at Shelby’s Las Vegas plant and branded Shelby AC Cobra. They will be available to customers from mid-2004.
It's yet another complex chapter in the history of AC. On 7th October 2003 a strategic alliance between AC Motor Holdings Ltd and Carroll Shelby International Inc. was announced. Around about the same time the Frimley operation was being closed down by. It was then being operated by 'Private Corporation Ltd' which has been running the factory since August 2002. The latest incarnation is 'AC Cars (UK)' which is a subsidiary of 'AC Motor Holdings Ltd' run by Alan Lubinsky.
A quick scan of Companies House hints at the complexity of the history of the marque. If you've got a few minutes on your hands have a search of www.companieshouse.gov.uk/info/
for AC Cars and you'll all manner of incarnations.
Further complicating matters, Lubinsky went on to reveal that AC Cars Manufacturing Ltd, another subsidiary of AC Motor Holdings Ltd, has recently concluded an agreement with the Malta Development Corporation for the commissioning of a dedicated plant in Malta. Due to open early in 2004, this will produce a new range of cars for sale in the USA, UK, Japan, Australia and ultimately in other European countries.
The first product will be a new version of the AC Ace, the car which was originally launched in 1955 and which preceded the famous Cobra model. This car, with a composite body and Shelby sourced powertrain, is expected to retail in the US at around $40,000 minus engine and transmission. Mr Lubinsky made it clear that other models, including the innovative AC Mamba coupe, would follow in due course, all of which will be sold through the new distribution channels. Further details will be available next year.