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Due to cancellations the ACOC has 4 spare ferry tickets for the 2022 Le Mans Trip.

Each ticket covers a car and 2 passengers leaving Portsmouth on Thursday 30th June at 22.45 with twin cabin to sleep on the outbound journey, returning on Monday 4th July at 16.30 from Caen to Portsmouth and costs £450 return.

Anyone interested please send me a message as we need to complete the paperwork in the next week. We also have accommodation available 25 minutes from the circuit.

Andy Shepherd.

I have heard through the grapevine that CF1 is coming up for sale in the USA. It is unlikely to go to auction so any interested parties need to make contact. CF1 was the original prototype convertible with an aluminium body rather than the production steel panels. It featured as Tara King's car in the UK TV series The Avengers and I believe has been unmolested except for a re-trim to original spec and repaint. As the rarest of all 428 Fruas it commands a premium price so will not be cheap. Any interested parties can send me a Private Message, and I can put you in contact.

Hello All,

David Skittles has organised several visits to the Silverstone Classic for the ACOC. Next year 2020, the Silverstone Event is between the ACOC visit to the Le Mans Classic and the ACOC International Meeting. It doesn't necessarily follow that the Silverstone fans will go on either of the other Rallies, so I am inviting some feedback from the AC Owners who would like to go to Silverstone.

Needless to say, if there is insufficient interest from members our stand there will be cancelled so please say if you would like to go.

*
From David's previous notice, the details are as follows:


The dates are 31 July - 2 Aug.
   
The registration has only just opened today and therefore I will register then be able to advise ticket pricing, etc.
   
So update you diaries and look forward to seeing you at Silverstone

David

Le Mans Classic  2,3,4,5,6 July 2020.

I am booking ferries for next year's ACOC trip to the Lemans Classic from Thursday 2nd to Monday 6th July 2020, and would like to see how much interest there is within the Club.

The standard package normally includes the following:

1,  Overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, on the Thursday night with a twin cabin,
2, Accommodation 3 nights at either of our 2 exclusive ACOC Chateaux, La Vagotiere and Le Grand Gaigne which are about 25 minutes drive from the circuit,
3, Entry tickets to Le Mans circuit with a Car Pass and designated ACOC Parking inside the circuit close to the Dunlop Bridge.
4, Grandstand tickets with allocated seats, again close to the Dunlop Bridge.
5, Return ferry ticket from Caen to Portsmouth on Monday afternoon.

As in previous years Accommodation bills are settled direct with the Chateaux. The ferries and circuit tickets need to be paid for one month before departure. To confirm bookings the ACOC will require a £120 per head deposit. At this stage it will be possible to alter ferry tickets to suit anyone who wishes to travel earlier or return later. However once I have made the booking, it will be difficult and costly to alter the standard package above.

Prices currently unconfirmed but likely to be circa,

            Ferries with twin cabin on the outward journey with standard return, have previously been around £450 per couple with car.
            The Chateaux are block booked, and average out between £400 and £500 per head.
            Circuit tickets have previously been around the £120 per head.

Please email or message me if you would like to be on the list.

Kindest regards,

Andy.

Thanks to the 90 ACOC members and their guests who made last evening at the Elvetham Hotel such an enjoyable event. This year we were celebrating the 70th anniversary of the AC Owners' Club, and 60th anniversary of Ted Whiteaway and John Turner finishing 7th overall in their AC Ace Bristol at the Le Mans 24 hour race. Trisha Whiteaway and her daughter Cat brought copies of their Book on Ted Whiteaway, and shared previously unseen photos from the late 50's and Early 60's.  John Deveson who owns the Ace was also there to celebrate.
Prizes were awarded to the winners of the Club's competitions, and the annual raffle and auction (this year a beautiful gents wristwatch hand crafted and donated by Paul Eaton) raised £1583 in aid of this year's charity, Cancer Research. The disco lasted into the small hours with a full floor well after midnight. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and made their way safely home.

Dear Members we have received an invitation to join the annual Classic Car Event at Hampton Court. I am looking for someone who would be prepared to coordinate our group, and anyone else who would like to attend. Please can you send me a private message, or to my email address which is listed in ACtion or on the main ACOC Website.

Don't worry, we are not being asked to join the Coucours, just to display our cars on either Saturday, Sunday, or both.

Dear Mr Shepherd,

The Concours of Elegance would like to extend an invitation to the AC Owners Club to participate at this year's event.

Hampton Court Palace will be the wonderful setting for the Concours which takes place from 6-8 September 2019.

Now in its 8th year the event was recognised at the recent Historic Motoring Awards as the 'Motoring Event of the Year'.

A Concours of 60 cars has been the trademark of the event since 2012, in honour of Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. And once again 60 of the world's rarest cars will be invited to take part.

As in previous years the following options are available to the Club:

Car Club Displays
We would be delighted to welcome AC Owners Club Members to display their cars in The Great Fountain Gardens of Hampton Court Palace on either Saturday 7th or Sunday 8th September. Members cars will need to be parked in position by 9.30am and remain in place until 6.00pm. There will be a small cost per car of £25 (which includes admission for the Driver) and any passengers/guests will be offered discount admission tickets for £25 (reduced from £40). Places are strictly limited and we would ask the Club to give an early indication of numbers.

Hi Everyone,

The ACOC has received an invite to the open day at the Spencer Lane-Jones' workshops. Invite below.

Regards, Andy.

Spencer Lane-Jones Ltd will be holding an Open Day at the Workshop in
Warminster on Saturday 22nd September between 11am and
3.00pm. As well as a mouth-watering selection of thoroughbred and
classic cars in attendance, the Workshop will be open for inspection. Staff
will be on hand to illustrate restoration work in progress and to discuss
projects. Complimentary refreshments will be available throughout the
day.
We will be joined by SLJ Hackett Ltd with some of their sales cars.
All owners of pre and post war thoroughbred motors cars are welcome to
attend.
Members from organisations and clubs currently planning to attend
include:
Bristol Owners' Club
Bristol Owners' and Drivers' Association
AC Owners' Club
Historic BMW Club
Vintage Sports Car Club
Frazer Nash Club and others.

We have been approached by Mike Taylor, who writes the article "Life Cycle" in Classic Cars Magazine. He is looking for a nice AC which he can feature. The exercise will involve identifying and interviewing previous owners, particularly the original one, for their experiences and photos of the car during their ownership. Anyone interested please let me know either here or private message. Cheers, Andy.

Last night 10th March 2018, 96 ACOC members and their guests sat down to marvelous Dinner Dance at the beautiful Elvetham Hotel near Hartley Wintney in Hampshire. Following complimentary Prosecco pre-dinner drinks, the ACOC party filled the library restaurant. This year's nominated Charity was Prostate Cancer Research in memory of John Davison, and the auction of a gold and diamond AC pendant, skillfully created and generously donated by Paul and Jacqui Eaton, and our usual raffle raised £2000.00!! All the ACOC prize winners from the various events during 2017 were presented with their trophies and keepsakes, and the dance floor was full until 01.00 on Sunday morning. The usual suspects continued the festivities into the bar for a couple more hours. In the morning the sun was shining, and after a hearty breakfast everyone could make their way home to celebrate Mothers' Day. Great fun was had by all, and many thanks to The Elvetham, and of course all the ACOC members and their guests who made the event such a success. Andy Shepherd, Chairman ACOC.

Sadly I received the news that our Hon Sec John Davison passed away on Thursday morning following a battle with cancer. His health had declined quickly since June and although a shock to many of his friends, his death was expected by his close family. John was such a lovely person to work with and will be sadly missed. I have so many memories of his complete capability, whether it be organising the Club's AGM, or setting up the timing equipment for the Goodwood Sprint, he always covered every detail in his inimitable calm manner. He brought so much knowledge and enthusiasm to our Club. With the ACOC Membership, my thoughts and sympathies are extended to John's family.

Dear ACOC Members,
   
   We received the invitation below to take part in the Wilton Classic in June this year. They want 10 cars to be on the stand on the Saturday and Sunday, and there is a charge of £375 to the ACOC for the weekend, which includes tickets for the 10 exhibitors on each day.
   
   If anyone would like to organise our participation in the event, please send me a private message, and we can discuss it further.
   
   As it is not an ACOC organised event, the Club cannot guarantee any of the details, but it sounds like it will be a lot of fun.
   
   All the best, Andy.
   
   LETTER FROM THE WILTON CLASSIC AS FOLLOWS:
   
   Dear AC Owners Club Ltd,
   
   I write on behalf of Lord Pembroke and us all at Wilton to invite the AC Owners Club Ltd Club to be part of the all-new and much enhanced Wilton Classic and Supercar weekend over 3-4 June 2017.
   
   Although supercars have been gathering at The Earl of Pembroke's ancestral home for several years, the all-new event will be far broader in its scope and attractions than anything staged at Wilton before. Held under the auspices of the brand's new tag line, 'Celebrating The Stories Behind The Cars We Love' the whole weekend will be dedicated to the people who made – and make – automotive history. It is, in a sense, a story-telling festival for cars, anchored around the brand's new website, which has recently been launched as a story-telling portal for enthusiasts. You can see that at:  www.wiltonclassicsupercar.co.uk.
   
   As part of the new show we are creating a dedicated zone for car clubs – particularly one-make car clubs to display their best selection of cars – x10 per plot. Each plot will be given sufficient space for the 10 cars, picnicking and associated furniture (tables, brollies, benches etc). The siting will be adjacent to the main retail area, and within a very close walk to Wilton House and the centre of the event.
   
   The cost works out at £250 per Club per day or £375 per Club for the weekend. (A weekend booking is logistically preferable). The cost of the plot is essentially our discounted ticket price worked out at one-ticket per car. We will then provide the tables, chairs and brollies etc 'free' of charge, together with the dedicated plot.
   
   We will only have about 30 slots and have around 450 clubs identified, so will allocate space on the most appropriate basis. Our request to you is that you choose the best possible x10 cars to attend, showing off your Club's marque(s) to best affect. There will be a prize for the best-presented set of club cars: a free plot and tickets at next year's event!
   
   Do bear in mind that the ground, while prepared, is agricultural in nature, and low cars may not be suited to it. A classic vehicle, like an older Porsche 911 or MG, should have no problem at all. We may have limited space for supercar clubs with much lower cars.
   
   While there is no camping on-site there is camping available nearby at Salisbury racecourse and there are many small hotels in the locale.
   
   The idea is that you, as a Club, commits and pays for this facility up-front and then reclaim the costs from your selected members (or as you will).
   
   Do have a good look at our website to see what is in store. We will be launching more event features over the coming weeks. Suffice it to say that we are expecting around 650 supercars and exceptional classics over the weekend through such main event attractions as the Wilton 100 – the Concours d'Histoire, the Wilton 6 Nations and the Wilton Wow! These displays form only part of a rich event.
   
   We do hope the event appeals to you and attach an application form with terms and conditions. If you'd like to reserve your slot, please read the material carefully and return the form soonest.
   
   With best regards and my thanks,
   
   Jonatan
   
   Jonatan Pagmar
   CO-ORDINATOR OF THE CAR CLUBS
   
   –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
   Wilton Classic & Supercar
   Pembroke Events Ltd.
   The Estate Office, Wilton
   Salisbury, SP2 0BJ
   –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
   M / +44 7873 982509
   E / WCS-Clubs@wiltonhouse.com
   www.wiltonclassicsupercar.co.uk

I just read the article in the October ACtion on Steve Gray's new batch of continuation Cobras, to be manufactured by his company AC Heritage at Brooklands. Priced at £500,000 each, I wondered what people thought about the exercise, which apparently has Alan Lubinsky's support?

Further to my previous post, I can confirm that there will be a memorial service held for Duncan on Thursday 6th October at 2.30pm. It will be at Graffham Church, Graffham, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0NP. There will be a wake after the service at Graffham Village hall. Members would be very welcome and if they would like to attend in a suitable car that would also be appreciated. It would be helpful if people could let Jonathan Cobb know via email jacdesigns@aol.com if they plan to attend so we can have an idea of numbers.I certainly intend to pay my respects to a much loved and respected AC enthusiast.

Sadly we learned of the death of ACOC member Duncan McGregor. With his Ace Bristol and Greyhound he was a frequent contributor to ACOC events over many decades, and an engineering asset to the Club. His gentle manner and deep knowledge will be missed greatly by us all. Duncan was also passionate about Frazer Nash cars, whose owners' club features a photograph on their website. http://frazernash.co.uk/news.php?article=547. When funeral details are available they will be posted on this forum.

Nick Eden published an article in this Month's ACtion Magazine where he discussed the effects of a motor racing accident at the Nurburgring in 2014 which has sadly caused him to lose his sight. Unfortunately the article was mistakenly credited to me, which has caused many friends to contact me, believing I had lost my sight. I would like to commend Nick on his brave article whilst reassuring all concerned that I am well and there has been an unfortunate editorial mistake.

Mike Isles has kindly offered to co-ordinate an ACOC presence at the prestigous Windsor Castle Concours from the 2nd to the 4th of September 2016. Below is part of the invitation to take part.
   
   "Car Club Displays
   We would be delighted to welcome AC Owners Club members to display their cars on the Long Walk leading to the Castle on either Saturday 3rd and/or Sunday 4th September. Members cars will need to be parked in position by 9.30am and remain in place until 6.00pm. There will be a small cost per car (£25) and passengers/guests will be expected to purchase admission tickets. A discount will be offered to ACOC members. Numbers are strictly limited and we would ask the Club to give an early indication of numbers."
   
   Any ACOC members who would be interested in taking part either on the Saturday 4th or Sunday 5th should contact Mike Isles. His details can be found via the ACOC Website on the Club Membership Database, or interested parties can leave a post on this forum or send me a Private Message.
   Many thanks, Andy.

As time is tight, I have posted this invitation from the Britcar Organisors direct onto our Forum. Anyone interested please call Sarah Bell on the number below.
   
   "There is an amazing opportunity for car owners to do 2 laps on the Grand Prix Circuit at Silverstone on Friday 1st April 2016 at 5pm. This is the weekend of the Hankook 24hr Race.
   It will be £ 20 for 2 laps purchased via Britcar Endurance on 01420 257194.
   PLUS you will need entry tickets
   http://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/24hr-at-silverstone/
   These entry tickets will give you access all day PLUS an opportunity to see night time qualifying from 19.30......."
   Kind regards
   Sarah Bell (Britcar)

From: Tania Baker [mailto:tania@mastershistoricracing.com]
   Sent: 08 February 2016 12:19
   To: John Norris
   Subject: Masters Historic Festival 2016
   
   Hi John
   
   After the success of last year, we are delighted to announce that we are once again inviting car clubs to The Masters Historic Festival at Brands Hatch on Sunday 29th May.
   
   The Masters Historic Festival at Brands Hatch keeps on growing. Not only does it feature some of the best historic racing in Europe, it takes place on a wonderful circuit. For 2016, racing will take place on the Saturday and Sunday on the Grand Prix circuit, with a Masters Allcomers race on the Indy Circuit on the Monday.
   
   The Brands Hatch GP circuit is largely unchanged from its heyday of the 1980s and makes it the perfect setting for historic racing cars. Formula One cars always make a stunning sight, as do the ground-shaking sports cars in the FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship and there's more: new for this year is the first in a series of three-hour races catering for Pre-66 GT and Touring Cars, while the CanAm 50 Interserie Challenge Revival offers a chance for the leviathans of a golden age to go racing once more as the CanAm class starts its 50th anniversary celebrations. Add in the Masters 70s Celebration being promoted to racing on the GP circuit for this year and there is a wealth of action to attract you.
   
   Each club will be entitled to a maximum of 30 tickets, therefore space for 30 cars, please note that any passengers will need to a purchase a ticket. All clubs will be located in the same area as last year,
   so if you are interested in taking space for your club, or need any further information, please let me know.
   
   Kind regards
   Tania
   
   
   Any interest from ACOC Members for our own space? If there is sufficient interest we can reserve space. Andy Shepherd.

Our 2016 Dinner is a bit earlier this year, and will be held at the Elvetham Hotel, Hartley Wintney in Hampshire on Saturday 6th February 2016. Please see the details on the EVENTS page of this Forum, or on the forms attached to the last couple of ACtion Magazines. Hope to see you there. Andy

At the AC Owners' Club Council of Management meeting in London, it was agreed that Jerry van Kalleveen will succeed our great friend Kok Louwen as the ACOC Dutch Representative. Kok has been a great supporter of the ACOC and their International events, but after 45 years as a member and 30 years as our Dutch Representative, he richly deserves a rest! Jerry has youth on his side and is an AC man through to the bone. His contact details will be in the next ACtion magazine. On behalf of the Club I would like to extend a warm welcome to Jerry, and our sincere thanks to Kok, who I hope will be a regular on ACOC events for many years to come.
   Andy Shepherd,  Chairman ACOC.