AC 3000 Remember These

hodgy0_2 · 26 June 2009, 19:18

saw one today for the first time in ages

anyone had one

always thought they looked quite smart

**EddScott** · 26 June 2009, 19:47

I really like them. I've only ever seen one and that was along time ago.

I think they came with two types of engine. One was kinda so so and I think one was pretty powerful.

Would have to be a yellow one.

Ray T · 29 June 2009, 14:55

thought it came with the ford 3 litre

http://ac3000me.com/information/ac30...ifications.htm yup just found this.

Etheridge-Bird · 29 June 2009, 20:56

Original car ("Diablo" was penned by Peter Bohana in 1972) had been intended to use the 1750cc in-line four from the Austin Maxi, but once AC took over the company decided to opt for the Ford 3.0 V6 (2994cc) Essex engine.

Cast iron block, with two valves per cylinder that resulted in 174 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm.

Later turbosharged cars had 200bhp (non turbos 138).

I think 30 cars were made.

evolve · 30 June 2009, 00:05

Always loved these cars but never seen one in the flesh.

I think they still look damned good today.

NotoriousREV · 30 June 2009, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etheridge-Bird

Original car ("Diablo" was penned by Peter Bohana in 1972) had been intended to use the 1750cc in-line four from the Austin Maxi, but once AC took over the company decided to opt for the Ford 3.0 V6 (2994cc) Essex engine.

Can you imagine how hard up you'd have to be to consider using the Maxi 1750 motor? I can't think of a more asthmatic boat anchor of an engine.

Etheridge-Bird · 30 June 2009, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotoriousREV

Can you imagine how hard up you'd have to be to consider using the Maxi 1750 motor? I can't think of a more asthmatic boat anchor of an engine.

The 1750 in all it's glory (couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding):

hodgy0_2 · 30 June 2009, 11:34

wasnt that the old BMC B Series engine

Etheridge-Bird · 30 June 2009, 12:00

The BMC B-Series* unit found itself fitted in a variety of cars and commercial models during its career and grew in capacity.

The picture shows the A series fitted to this beauty:

The first *1200cc versions were used in the Austin A40 and Morris Cowley/Oxford models, more glamorous 1500cc and 1600cc versions were used in the MGA and also the quirky Austin/Nash Metropolitan.

The B-Series went through many changes during its long career - tuned, twin-carb units found their way into various MG's and "sports saloons" including the 1800 and badge-engineered Farina models.

More unusual derivatives included two special diesel versions and a 2433cc six cylinder unit used in some Australian models.

Back to your original (and excellent post) - I remember the AC in the Observer's Book of Cars back in 1977.

brickboy · 30 June 2009, 12:20

I think the 1750 was an all-alloy job, but it was still a wheezer.

If they got the Essex V6 in there, they could probably have got the Rover V8 in too

J4CKO · 30 June 2009, 12:45

I remember these as being on the first page of my 1976 Observers book of cars.

hodgy0_2 · 30 June 2009, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etheridge-Bird

looks a little like a Lancia Stratos from that angle

looks like they did a Turbo too

I used to see a lovely dark blue one parked on Ladbrook Grove in the mid nineties

evolve · 01 July 2009, 08:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodgy0_2

looks a little like a Lancia Stratos from that angle

Thats exactly what I was thinking....