the meaning of AC in AC cobra

[D111]

my wife asked me this evening what the meaning of AC. is in AC cobra and I couldn't tell her, anybody know?

Thanks

Den

[snowgoer]

Originally Posted by D111

my wife asked me this evening what the meaning of AC. is in AC cobra and I couldn't tell her, anybody know?

Thanks

Den

I believe it stands for Autocarriers Limited, the british car company that made the cars Carroll Shelby brought to the states to put Ford engines in them. The cars we now know as Cobras.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by D111

my wife asked me this evening what the meaning of AC. is in AC cobra and I couldn't tell her, anybody know?

Thanks

Den

It's Auto Carriers from memory. They used to make motorised invalid chairs I think. AC sounds better.

[LMH]

"Auto Carriers Ltd" as of 1911, though the company was actually older than that. As far as I know, they only made automobiles but I could be wrong.
BTW, the Cobra was not the first Ford powered AC built.
Larry

[Dimis]

AC definitely stands for Anthony & Cassandra (my wife)!

Thus it is - Anthony & Cassandra's Cobra that Shelby built just for us & that you are all replicating & driving!

That's my story & I'm sticking to it!


Cheers,
Anthony

[SMOKNAC]

AC Cars Group Ltd. formerly known as Auto Carriers Ltd. is a British specialist automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest independent car marques founded in Britain.

[decooney]

This might provide a little more detail for ya about AC and what it stood for -


Go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_Cars

[Don]

FYI

http://www.planefacts.co.uk/world_wa...c_cars_jpg.htm

[Doug I]

Weller Bros. opened for business in England on March 8 1901, producing cars and actively advertising their products. Preliminary work also commenced on what was to become the '20 H.P. Weller Touring Car'. Business was brisk as they supplied the market with their vehicles and acted as the appointed repair agents for De Dion et Bouton vehicles. Additional capital came into the company in 1902 via shareholders, the business expanded and the name was changed to Weller Bros. Ltd. The Weller Touring Car and its 10hp stable mate were shown in 1903 at the London Automobile Show in the Crystal Palace. Business increased and the company rapidly expanded. In 1904 the seeds of history were sown with the introduction of a commercial vehicle, the 'AutoCarrier' – all three wheels of it - and sales boomed. By 1909 the company name had become Autocarriers Ltd and the logo that we know today was being used. In 1911 the company moved to the now famous premises in Thames Ditton, near London, and changed its name to AC Cars. The company is still producing cars to this day.

Producing commercial and general purpose vehicles kept the engineers at AC Cars busy, but development work always continued on finding ways of obtaining more power and speed from their cars. AC Cars forged its place in history in 1922 when they were the first company in history to build a car that covered a measured distance of 100 miles in less than one hour.

In the face of the economic hardships of the early 1930’s AC Cars knew that to keep sales orders coming in they had to distinguish themselves in the eyes of the buying public. AC Cars did this the only way they knew – by building race-wining cars. In 1933 four AC's entered in the RAC Rally, took prizes and soon after exports to North American began.

The London Motor Show of 1954 saw an event that was pivotal in changing the sports car industry. AC Cars had been working on a new design utilizing a 121cu.in Bristol in-line 6 cylinder engine. The basic design followed the 2-door open top roadster trend of the time and AC Cars called it the Ace. This car saw tremendous success on the track, particularly in 1957 and ’58 where the AC Ace finished well up the leader board in the Le Mans classic endurance race. It was there that the Ace attracted the attention of a chicken farmer turned race driver by the name of Carroll Shelby.

Business at AC Cars was brisk during the late 50’s and early 60’s, mainly due to the racing success of their cars and the popularity of their designs. Charles Hurlock was one of the owners of AC Cars in 1962, and one morning he had a letter on his desk from a Mr. Carroll Shelby of America, who wanted to know if they would be interested in combining their Ace with a new American V8 engine.

[Trevor Legate]

Thanks Doug - saved me a lot of typing and finger-wear. But to be pedantic, the Ace evolution was bit more convoluted than that (AC purchased the rights to the car/design from John Tojeiro) And as for AC producing cars 'to this day'....yeah, well, if you consider badge engineering as car production :-)

[Buzz]

I always thought it stood for "Ah Cain't" which is what Shelby alledgedly replied when the fellows under the bridge asked him for an initial advance so they could buy more wine.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Trevor Legate

Thanks Doug - saved me a lot of typing and finger-wear. But to be pedantic, the Ace evolution was bit more convoluted than that (AC purchased the rights to the car/design from John Tojeiro) And as for AC producing cars 'to this day'....yeah, well, if you consider badge engineering as car production :-)

Oh Mr. Legate, you just won't give up, will you?

Besides, "Badge Engineering" in the great British tradition requires actually having engineers to at least design the badge! I mean even Wolseley and Humber had to have SOMEONE to design the badges? What we have here is actually badge "licensing"!!!!

[Doug I]

no problem - i was abbreviating some of the info .... early funding by John Portwine etc.

And yeah - continuous production is a bit of a stretch .... but Ol Shell is ok with that

[KevinW]

Tagg's Island -> Brooklands -> Frimley -> Guildford -> Malta and then spawned/licensed products in at least 3 other countries.

I think each step was a step further away from the core business.

If you are interested in the early years, AC Heritage is a great book

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AC-Heritage-.../dp/1855328755

[Trevor Legate]

Thank you for your erudite rap across the knuckles Lord Muck. Licensing it is indeed - however I was in a kind and generous mood (as usual) so gave the kindly folks who bring you such automotive gems, the benefit of doubt. Hence 'engineering'.

As a solid supporter of the marque, I feel it is my duty to....zzzzzzzzz....zzzzz....(no further life signs......flatlining)

[Mark IV]

Czar L,

Does it not seem like a longer than usual period of dormancy for "Dear Chairman?"

There has not been a new location, product, LPG powered sports car, reworked Smart car or other "product" in a press release for a rather long time.....

I am pleased that I have been added to the Peerage......"Lord", I rather like that. My only pervious use of the title has been when some else has shouted "Lord Almighty, what have you done!!!!!"

[Trevor Legate]

Dormancy can also be a Good Thing......

I'll ask the School of Heraldry to make up your family coat of arms as: "Lord Almighty what have you done Muck?" Has a certain ring to it. Especially with a pair of Cobras rampant.....(copyright issues not withstanding ;-)

[Mark IV]

Film of my last "Big Ball" at my manor house...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H61agOWWNE0

"To the Manor born I is"

[Mark IV]

Mr. Legate,

I am starting to question the validity of the peerage title you have bestowed upon me. While I have made reservations in London for the wedding, I just received an ornate envelope with "ER" embossed upon it. excitedly opening it and expected my engraved invitation, all I found was a note that said "No fookin' way are YOU invited!!!"

I am hurt..........

[Trevor Legate]

Your Regalness

Being a Brit (whatever that means) I am perfectly entitled to enoble whomsoever I wish and the title Lord Muck sits gracefully upon thy countenance. Clearly there hast been a cock-up on the invite front as I was sure you were one of the mere 1,900 guests invited to the nuputals. I'll have a word in young Will's shell-like ear'ole and I'm sure all will be made well once more. So fear not and I hope your visit to Londinium will be a trip to remember. Buy lots of souvenirs! The House of Lords is not the same without you!

Just to check - you are 'the' Lord Muck of Buffalo and not that damned imposter Lord Buffalomuck? Or is it Lord Superformance.....