ID The old car

[Loose_Cannon]

Came upon this image in a Motorsport archive, all the image info had was "Goodwood Tourist Trophy 13.09.58".

The front grille looks like an AC Aceca but from the headlamps back I'm stumped. AC Saloons of the period are much more traditional in style. Any ideas? A prototype for the Greyhound perhaps?

[Pistonheader101]

bristol

[Old Merc]

AC Aceca

[ZedLeg]

I thought that was Chris Barrie in a Navy uniform and Dave Bautista in that photo for a second

[tonyvid]

Wasn't one of these sold on Bangers and Cash recently, lovely cars.

[nicanary]

This car was once a subject on Autopuzzles and I think I solved it! Can't remember a thing now.

I'm pretty sure it was an AC prototype built to test a new flat-4 engine, hence the use of existing body panels and the typical AC nose.Having said that, the prototype was built in 1955 so maybe they were still thinking about it in 1958.

[cjb44]

Loose_Cannon said:

Came upon this image in a Motorsport archive, all the image info had was "Goodwood Tourist Trophy 13.09.58".

The front grille looks like an AC Aceca but from the headlamps back I'm stumped. AC Saloons of the period are much more traditional in style. Any ideas? A prototype for the Greyhound perhaps?

Close but no cigar. This is the 1955 prototype AC five seater saloon which was more or less on a lengthened Aceca chassis, coil sprung at the front with wishbones, swing axle at the rear with double coils. this car was used as the mule for a series of horizontally opposed engines designed by the then AC engineer Marcewski, these were both four and six cylinder engines. The 2 litre four was not considered a success by AC and the prototype was abandoned. However, the engines have survived to this day with an AC enthusiast.

[Old Merc]

Must be a one off "stretch" AC Aceca.
Its odd? the front is Aceca, its RHD but the wipers are LHD, and those wheels? I cant find any type of AC with wheels like that.

[cjb44]

Old Merc said:

Must be a one off "stretch" AC Aceca.
Its odd? the front is Aceca, its RHD but the wipers are LHD, and those wheels? I cant find any type of AC with wheels like that.

As a prototype they would have come out of someone else's parts bin, possibly Ford, see my previous post for more detailed info!

[Loose_Cannon]

cjb44 said:

This is the 1955 prototype AC five seater saloon which was more or less on a lengthened Aceca chassis, coil sprung at the front with wishbones, swing axle at the rear with double coils. this car was used as the mule for a series of horizontally opposed engines designed by the then AC engineer Marcewski, these were both four and six cylinder engines. The 2 litre four was not considered a success by AC and the prototype was abandoned. However, the engines have survived to this day with an AC enthusiast.

Thanks, Pistonheads triumphs again. Shame it didnt survive but to be fair it wasn't a looker, and elements of the rear glasshouse seem to have pervaded to the later, squarer fronted, much prettier Greyhound anyway,

Sorry for late reply.

Edited by Loose_Cannon on Thursday 11th August 19:03

[cjb44]

Loose_Cannon said:

Thanks, Pistonheads triumphs again. Shame it didnt survive but to be fair it wasn't a looker, and elements of the rear glasshouse seem to have pervaded to the later, squarer fronted, much prettier Greyhound anyway,

Sorry for late reply.

Edited by Loose_Cannon on Thursday 11th August 19:03

No problem, glad to have been of service.

[Loose_Cannon]

cjb44 said:

No problem, glad to have been of service.

The car above has me wondering about the mystery "little french car" outside the Hotel de France. Perhaps it also was some kind of solitary prototype (Panhard?), abandoned but still used up as someones everyday transport to race meetings for a few years before it fell apart. Similar era, late 50s, less paperwork to put it on the road etc.

Same thing happened to the first 1956 DB4 prototype before Touring were brought in; used by David Browen's wife, then Tadek Marek then a few other privates.

[cjb44]

Loose_Cannon said:

The car above has me wondering about the mystery "little french car" outside the Hotel de France. Perhaps it also was some kind of solitary prototype (Panhard?), abandoned but still used up as someones everyday transport to race meetings for a few years before it fell apart. Similar era, late 50s, less paperwork to put it on the road etc.

Same thing happened to the first 1956 DB4 prototype before Touring were brought in; used by David Browen's wife, then Tadek Marek then a few other privates.

Cannot help there I am afraid, French cars are way above my pay grade.