Mary Berry

[cjb44]

Just seen the trailer on BBC1 for the new Mary Berry show. The best bit about it was a shot of Lord March taking her for a drive in his delightful AC 16/80. However I suspect when the episode is broadcast from his home at Goodwood we will not see much of this great car on the actual show.

[TR4man]

Yes noticed that too.

To be honest the whole series looks harmless and interesting so I'll be watching it as an alternative to the shenanigans in the jungle.

[TonyRPH]

I saw the trailer as well - and OP your post sent me searching and I found this

Am I correct saying that's a Ford 3L V6 mounted transversely?

How do these handle?

[Roy C]

Since the recent death of his father, Charles Gordon-Lennox is now the Duke of Richmond (his eldest son is now the Earl of March).

Here's his 1935 AC 16/80 Prototype (body designed by his Grandfather):

[Lowtimer]

TonyRPH said:

Am I correct saying that's a Ford 3L V6 mounted transversely?

How do these handle?

Back when they were current they had a reputation for being a bit lively at the rear. Read all about it here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/set...

[cjb44]

TonyRPH said:

I saw the trailer as well - and OP your post sent me searching and I found this

Am I correct saying that's a Ford 3L V6 mounted transversely?

How do these handle?

You are correct about the engine and mated to a 5 speed box with chain drive, the gear boxes are very fragile and need specialist treatment to keep them in top condition. The handling can be tricky but as always over the years owners have got to grips with it and lots of mods. can be carried out which transforms the handling, however they are not a car to be complacent with as they can bite. Many years ago Barrie Bird carried out extensive mods. both engine and suspension wise to his car which made it extremely quick, but he told me he had to sell it as he valued his licence!

[TonyRPH]

Lowtimer said:

Back when they were current they had a reputation for being a bit lively at the rear. Read all about it here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/set...

cjb44 said:

You are correct about the engine and mated to a 5 speed box with chain drive, the gear boxes are very fragile and need specialist treatment to keep them in top condition. The handling can be tricky but as always over the years owners have got to grips with it and lots of mods. can be carried out which transforms the handling, however they are not a car to be complacent with as they can bite. Many years ago Barrie Bird carried out extensive mods. both engine and suspension wise to his car which made it extremely quick, but he told me he had to sell it as he valued his licence!

Thanks both - very interesting.

The AC3000 is a lovely looking car.

[72twink]

Lowtimer said:

Back when they were current they had a reputation for being a bit lively at the rear. Read all about it here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/set...

To be fair that review was written by John Miles who at the time was employed by Lotus who of course had their Esprit on the market. Add to that the tyres then specced by AC were not known to suit mid-engined cars (Lotus tried them too and soon rejected them) and the ME was off to bit of a wobbly start.

Finally AC in their wisdom went for fixed geometry for the rear suspension over the adjustable option of the prototypes, with AC's production tolerances this then meant cars went out with toe in, toe out, toes left or toes right with no ability to dial out the error. In period Robin Rew who set himself up as a model specialist found a simple mod to the lower front wishbone mounts to give a 1/16" toe in each side transformed the cars. He also cured the carb flutter in right handers by rotating the carb 90 degrees so it's orientation matched the original Ford /Weber thinking.

I love mine, it's like a chunky Lotus Europa (I have one of those too) that confuses as many as it enthuses.

[Riley Blue]

The March Special is also a very desirable, very scarce pre-war Riley; around 50 were built with probably a dozen now on the roads. They cost £335 in 1933 and had bodies built by Kevill-Davies and March (grandfather of Lord March).

"Kevill-Davies & March subcontracted their designs to coachbuilders and, within a very short time, March Specials could be bought on Hillman, Alvis, Lagonda, AC. Wolseley and Riley chassis. Hillman, Riley and A C all offered March styles as standard bodies; Hillman on the Aero Minx (in two: and four-seat forms, and sports and coupe versions), Riley on the Nine for 1933, while most A Cs built 1934-39, including all 16/80 models, had March bodies. From 1934, there was also a range of special bodies on Lancia chassis, since Kevill-Davies & March had become the Lancia distributor for London and the Home Counties."
source: MotorSport

[dryden]

The AC 3000 ME Started life as a kit car marketed to take Austin Maxi bits! (not by AC) but I cannot remember what it was called.

[72twink]

dryden said:

The AC 3000 ME Started life as a kit car marketed to take Austin Maxi bits! (not by AC) but I cannot remember what it was called.

BS (Bohanna/Stables) Diablo, not your normal kitcar though, they were both engineers at Lola and their target was Unipower but AC got there instead. Unlike ME with its folded steel centre tub Diablo had a full space frame chassis constructed by Arch Motors.

[StonetheCrows]

Roy C said:

Since the recent death of his father, Charles Gordon-Lennox is now the Duke of Richmond (his eldest son is now the Earl of March).

Here's his 1935 AC 16/80 Prototype (body designed by his Grandfather):

Car is the same age as Mary Berry

[medieval]

Riley Blue said:

The March Special is also a very desirable, very scarce pre-war Riley; around 50 were built with probably a dozen now on the roads. They cost £335 in 1933 and had bodies built by Kevill-Davies and March (grandfather of Lord March).

"Kevill-Davies & March subcontracted their designs to coachbuilders and, within a very short time, March Specials could be bought on Hillman, Alvis, Lagonda, AC. Wolseley and Riley chassis. Hillman, Riley and A C all offered March styles as standard bodies; Hillman on the Aero Minx (in two: and four-seat forms, and sports and coupe versions), Riley on the Nine for 1933, while most A Cs built 1934-39, including all 16/80 models, had March bodies. From 1934, there was also a range of special bodies on Lancia chassis, since Kevill-Davies & March had become the Lancia distributor for London and the Home Counties."
source: MotorSport

A good friend of mine has one of these and to be frank it is a beautiful thing and in lovely order too - he stores a couple of mine alongside so it is rather nice to have such august company - fr me that is of course

[TR4man]

I enjoyed watching the visit to Highclere Castle.

Good harmless entertainment.

[nicanary]

I've just noticed the greyhound radiator mascot. Very apt.

[Roy C]

nicanary said:

I've just noticed the greyhound radiator mascot. Very apt.

The "Greyhound of the Road" mascot (by A.E. Lejeune) was fitted to some AC cars from 1929 to the beginning of the war. Its' origin is obscure. It is still available from Louis Lejeune Ltd.

After the war, AC produced a 2+2 version of the Aceca, called the Greyhound.

Lincoln also used a greyhound hood ornament in the same era, which was sometimes also used on Fords.

[jith]

Y'know, it's only on PH you would find a thread with the title "Mary Berry" and not a mention of cakes and baking anywhere!!

J

[Gemaeden]

Until now.

[Yertis]

yeah well done Jith you've ruined the thread now.

[gruffalo]

I am not sure if Mary Berry is a bit of a petrolhead or not but she does turn up at a few events, guest of honour a the KopHill hill climb in September.