AC return to USA

ACECA · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 05:48 AM

Press release from AC Motor Holdings

31 March 2003

AC back in the USA – a motoring icon returns!

One of the most illustrious names in the global lexicon of the motor industry – AC Cars – is back in the USA. And the move marks the return to UK production of one of the world’s most legendary automotive brands.

After a gap of several decades, AC cars are once again being sold directly to American sports car buyers. A new company, AC Cars USA, Inc., has been created to exclusively distribute the U.K. handmade aluminum AC models in the US and will soon be additionally offering the carbon-fibre AC 351 CRS, which will be exclusive to this market.

Two high performance models, the AC 289 MK11 and AC 427 MK111, were unveiled to US buyers at the 8th Annual Concours d’Elegance at Amelia Island, Florida, held earlier this month.

Many replicas have been made of these classics, but now original cars, carrying chassis numbers continued from the original series in the 1960’s are once again available in the US. AC Cars USA, the US distributor will appoint a number of North American dealers, and will open an exclusive showroom in the Palm Beach area of Florida.

“It is an incredible honour for me to bring this British heritage back to the US”, said Gabriel Diaz, president and founder of AC Cars USA. “The beauty of these cars is their versatility. An owner can race and rally at the weekend and still drive it to work every day of the week”.

All genuine AC cars are manufactured on the original jigs, bucks and tooling used by the AC factory since the ‘60’s. The two US-only models are:

AC 289 MK11 Original – The first of a limited edition, numbered COX 2610, is a direct continuation of the few cars built in the 1960’s. The car is manufactured in both FIA Competition specification and original Roadster body types with close attention to detail. The FIA model is available in race-trim with single bucket seat and untrimmed aluminum cockpit or fully trimmed as a two-seater Roadster.

AC 427 MK111 Original – handcrafted with the same attention to detail as the 289 MK11, the 427 MK111 is available in both Street Competition and Roadster models. It is the ultimate king of muscle cars, typically powered by a 7.0-litre (427 cu in) US V8 capable of unleashing from 400 to in excess of 500 hp.

AC expects to produce around 40 aluminum cars a year for US customers at its UK factory in Frimley, Surrey. Customers will have engines and transmissions mounted in the US, providing them with complete freedom of choice.

AC also plans to launch, initially for sale in the US - other markets may follow, a composite version of the original AC Ace – the car which inspired the legendary AC Cobra. The new model, to be called the AC Ace Classic, is currently being developed. It is envisaged that this model will be available for sale in the USA in the mid $40,000 price range.

The history of AC, Britain's oldest surviving car maker, can be traced back for more than a century. AC moved to its new factory in Frimley in 2001, its Centenary year.

Chairman of AC Motor Holdings Ltd, Alan Lubinsky, joined Diaz at the Florida event. “We are very proud to be in the USA launching the ‘Real Thing’, the 289 MK11 Original and the 427 MK111 Original, at this exquisite show in our 102nd year of crafting beautiful automobiles in England,” said Lubinsky.

Plans to restore AC sales in the UK are well advanced, following an enforced interruption after the move of its manufacturing base. Plans to launch a new version of the popular AC CRS carbon-fibre bodied car are being developed, together with its long awaited fixed-head stablemate the AC Mamba. Both of these models will be ultimately produced in a new AC factory in Malta that is currently being commissioned

KeithBrown · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 06:04 AM

That'se great - but I emailed them a couple of weeks ago and have yet to get a response.

I hope their sales/customer service department starts answering the email soon.

Regards,

Keith

BlueRooster · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 06:46 AM

What is this going to do to the price of the kits??

Mark IV · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 07:20 AM

Ity will NOT affect the existing pricing of any other product. They have chosen to price the product at the very top end of the market, in the 120s and thus will find a VERY small audience.

Rick

KeithBrown · #5 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark IV

Ity will NOT affect the existing pricing of any other product. They have chosen to price the product at the very top end of the market, in the 120s and thus will find a VERY small audience.

Rick

Wow -seems way high.

Why would I want an AC when I can get a CSX for less and a KMP for much less?

Do they think we are still in the 1990's?

Maybe that is why I haven't received a reply yet.

Regards,

Keith

gear88 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 09:13 AM

Is there a website about this?

KeithBrown · #7 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 09:19 AM

http://www.accarsusa.com/

Regards,

Keith

gear88 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 09:22 AM

Thanks Keith!
I found the UK one too.
http://www.accars.co.uk/Content/MainMenu/fsMain.html

pderouss · #9 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 12:15 PM

Sounds strange as the last time I was at the factory in Frimley I was told that Alan Lubinsky was no longer involved with AC and the company is now owned by Jim Price.

They can still build a very small number of 289 FIAs and 427s but they are not cheap. They are, however, beautifully built and, at the risk of being controversial, are of a far higher quality than the Kirkham. I fairness I base my judgement on seeing the ACs in the flesh and looking at photos of the Kirkham, particularly the close ups of the one currently for sale on e bay. I would be very happy to be proved wrong on this as I have been tempted to buy a Kirkham now that they are imported over here. Were they just poor photos or was the finish in the trunk not completed and had the leather been deliberately rumpled?

The AC factroy also had a CRS under development with a 4.6litre OHC Ford engine. No sign of the Mamba - the last time I saw one of these in the flesh was in mid 2001.

Bearing in mind that Price has the ability to build cars in South Africa the Maltese connection is difficult to understand though has been much rumoured.

Can anyone else throw any light on what is going on?

casaleenie · #10 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 12:50 PM

Now will these be "original" AC's or be considered a "Replica"

pderouss · #11 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 01:26 PM

They will be "Original ACs" but will be "Cobra Replicas", though like everyone else (except SAI) they are no longer allowed to call them Cobras as Ford have withdrawn their license to use the name.

By the way, I have a picture of the "Original AC" badge on my gallery. This was fitted to my car when it was first built but I replaced with a Cobra badge as I don't find it very attractive.

Mark IV · #12 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 03:07 PM

Pderouss,

The Lubinsky connection IS torubling. The deal as I understood it was that Jim Price has licensed the "brand" and took over the Frimley works, but Lubinsky still owns "AC", the trademarks and product rights. He has a maze of holding companies to insulate himself from his "questionable" dealings.

If you shake hands with him, count your fingers when you are done.

Rick

pderouss · #13 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 04:14 PM

MkIV.

Interesting. I had assumed that the company had gone into receivership ( equivalent to bankruptcy in the US but without the protection afforded by Chapter 11) during 2002 in which case it would have been difficult for a previous owner to keep any assets, including trademarks. I will find out more.

SCOBRAC · #14 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 05:24 PM

lemme guess.. They are going to build glass bodied 427's with "leftover" chassis components.. Sounds like ERA needs to fire up a lawsuit.

Mark IV · #15 (**permalink**) 04-10-2003, 04:36 AM

Pderouss,

AC, actually the "AC Car Group Limited" did a CVA, "Company Volantary Agreement" but understand that the brand "AC" is held in Lubinskys USA holding company AC Automotive and then licensed to ANOTHER holding company and THEN to ACCG. He can license the brand and product all over the place. In the CVA he was even a creditor for royalties ACCG "owed" him!

His stock in trade is stock manipulation and not production of cars. He now has a company "AC Motor Holdings" that is an Austrailian company that will license production to the pipe dream factory he claims will be on Malta.

If you go back through the history of press releases, announcements and other clapt-trap Lubinsky has spouted, you will find virtually none of the announcements have come true. He took deposits for cars they never built, both from retail buyers and from dealers. call up Duncan Hamilton and get their take on how he does business.

I have great respect for Jim Price but I do not understand how Lubinsky fits into the new "Alloy AC" operation. I was understood that the only connection was that Jimmy would hold the worldwide license for alloy AC products and would also supply spares for all previous AC product.

My previous comments about doing business with ANY Lubinsky operation stand.

Rick

289Cobra · #16 (**permalink**) 04-10-2003, 01:59 PM

I called the number on the bootom of their website and the answering machine said "thank you for calling PROTEC COMPUTER SYSTEMS" what's up with this???

KeithBrown · #17 (**permalink**) 04-10-2003, 02:04 PM

I guess that might explain why AI haven't gotten a response to my email yet.

Maybe they are bundling computer systems in their new cars?

Regards,

Keith

Fast Farmer · #18 (**permalink**) 04-11-2003, 09:40 PM

The words "Original" and "Real" in a press release about Cobras to be produced in the near future... true fighting words on this board!!

spyone · #19 (**permalink**) 04-12-2003, 07:04 AM

Dear Rick ACECA

Where did you fish this information??

Mark IV · #20 (**permalink**) 04-12-2003, 07:59 PM

Spyone...
First post! What did you want to know? Where my information comes from?........Several years of dealing with AC and the previous/maybe present management and ownership.

I have file cabinets full of correspondence, faxes and emails to back up any statement I make regarding my dealings with this company.

The press release is on the AC site. The other stuff that people have posted is from the AC Cars USA/ Something computer company site.

Please expand on exactly what it is you wish to know....

Rick