Messages

Charlie is certainly a chip off the old block with a total commitment and enthusiasm for everything AC.  I have no doubt that the AC company records and archive will be in very good hands for one day in the future and that he represents an excellent young ambassador for all things AC going forward.

Mike, you have often posted in frustration and I cannot help thinking that the 'Cobra' experience you are looking for would have been better served with the purchase and build up of a kit. You are an incredibly gifted engineer and I spent several minutes admiring the hood and rear screen on your car and was glad it was there. Perhaps some of us are just not as appreciative of AC ownership as we once were. Personally, I tire of people at car shows asking whether or not it is a 'real one' and then loudly tapping my aluminum panels so as to prove the point. My favorite reply is 'What do you mean by a real one? The 289 Register members are incredibly enthusiastic and, to the general public, represent the 'AC' community incredibly well. I am happy to embrace kits and admire the highly skilled work that has gone into them in some cases. I must admit to seriously considering a Hawk Mk11 road car as an all year round daily corrosion free driver. What is the 289 Register's magic ingredient? If they are attracting owners of genuine cars then maybe we would all be better off collaborating with each other. I remember a Hawk Ace appearing on the ACOC stand a couple of years back at the NEC for example. What I did note at Silverstone was the 289 boys making a very clear distinction between their kits and being highly appreciative of the real item on a different level i.e. the purple car. I suspect many general car enthusiasts there came away with a very strong impression of the AC brand and know a kit from a real car at 10 paces like the rest of us.

Yes please Nick. Pm me if you can

No doubt working through the 'Electric' structure, there were subsidies and tax efficiencies to be gained in the accounting.

Metaphorically, what if it were damaged in a historic racing accident or caught fire I wonder Andy - and then a new Kirkham body/chassis slipped in?  I agree with your analogy - the painting itself is what is desired - worth a bit more with its original exterior wooden frame still attached to embellish it but.......
   
   With cars, it is all subjective. You have the (very easily duped in the past) DVLA recognizing a car in one way, and Internationally along legal lines with VIN numbers etc. Then you have the paying public like us who recognize the law can be an ass. Ultimately, we all recognize something that is precious to us in what we buy, and that defines how authentic or valuable a particular artifact may be. Japanese swords are very interesting on this front.
   
   The Cobra Register is useful in reporting the duds and copies for the unsuspecting, although is rather economical with the facts as far as some cars are concerned. LKeeping to the necessary'fine line'.
   
   My friend has an old Dawes professional racing bicycle in his shed  - the fact that it has been in pieces for many years as such does not mean it no longer exists just because he has not bothered screwing it together again in 25 years. Continuous history it still has and will shortly be back in one piece. Now you cannot get much more original than that.

There does seem to be an argument for some kind of change of tack but retaining Goodwood as the venue. There are plenty of expensive AC's being driven on British circuits, particularly in FIA and Masters events/Goodwood Revival (and many phoenixed cars or copies too of course). The question is 'What is stopping these cars from regularly entering the Sprint and competing as fiercely as they do elsewhere?' As regards speed and ability, track days are usually split into groups according to how brave one feels so, there should be room for everyone to drive and enjoy.
   You only need to look at the enthusiasm and turn out at 289 Register gatherings to know that there is a huge audience for the right events. Combining the Sprint with the ACOC National some years would create the chance for both on and off track displays and an 'AC tribute'. Invite other exclusive 'expensive' car clubs likewise and you have a great classic mix. Watching a mixed bag of non-AC cars on a cold November day is never going to cut it in isolation,with the same people dominating the results year after year. Nor will it put the club back on the classic car map. Perhaps being a small club with an ageing population means teaming up with other car clubs? Indeed, the 289 Register could pay dividends - their members are after all generally true AC enthusiasts to boot. There are also fiercely competitive Aston Martin and Jaguar groups who would be glad to field several cars each I suspect if the gauntlet were thrown down. Definitely room for some lateral thinking.

Rob,
   
   Please share your background with us - you are incredibly gifted.

All sound logical and legal arguments of course Robin but, were I forced to choose between the two, I would favour the rebuilt original body chassis unit as having more original Thames Ditton DNA than its substitute. It is well known that a certain middle eastern dictator had a number of body doubles but the 'original' was ultimately brought to trial.  In any case, I would prefer to pay double and purchase a 'no stories car'.
   
   Perhaps that is taking things too far... Put it this way : continuous history is widely accepted by collectors in race cars as they are expected to have accidents. However, when it comes to road cars, such matters are generally hushed up and caveat emptor applies. Vigilant registrars are there, like your good self, to ensure that facts are researched and documented as far as possible without exposing the club to legal ramifications. A fine line has to be trodden. Ask the right people about certain AC Cobras and you will get all the facts you could possibly want if you are a genuine purchaser.
   
   The car world is moving on and wealthy car collectors are seeking originality, not just in the physical form, but more so now in the originally produced pure factory material, warts and all. The rise of the 'barn find'  a phenomenon that would have seemed preposterous only a few years ago tells us this... Eveything is only original once.
   
   Classic Car clubs, as values rise, may have to accept one day in the not too distant future that purchasers are leaning towards art world definitions of originality. These are very different and, as we know, the continuous history argument would hold no water.

The engine family is 378 cubic inches - just like the 289 designation of the past. It looks like a really decent effort to me and I like the period wheels and slant on the interior. Let's hope the brand can be revived.. It would be good to take a positive view and 'talk it up', the ability to produce en masse of course being key to future success.
   
   There are parallels with the new TVR in many ways - enthusiastic owner sinking personal fortune into a dream car brand and trying to create something truly worthy with a homage to the past. Many car enthusiasts have derided the TVR effort and deposits are now more than three years old. Patience is wearing thin but the result will be worth waiting for. As the owner of that brand has stated, it is of no consequence what people think generally. He is building a car to please those that have committed financially....

The body chassis unit is the car. Continuous history may have legal precedence but, I know where my money would go.

Great AC orientated day today with some very interesting cars on display. Once again, the most fascinating part was talking to the ex factory hands and members of the Hurlock family were also present. These are the people that can really fill in the gaps when it comes to the marque's production history. It was also very enjoyable meeting many AC owners and enthusiasts - thanks to all of you.

Things are well underway again this year and there will be something of interest to all AC owners. As usual, AC and Aston Martin cars will be on display under full restoration in the workshop with the old style body/chassis construction methods in full view. There will be a Ken Rudd Rudspeed theme with old films of him racing at Goodwood (see Team AC Facebook page) and ex-factory staff will be dropping in from all eras. Outside and in will be several AC cars on display in their full guise, accompanied by the 1965 Shelby Team truck to add a bit of nostalgia.
   
   Add this to Concorde, Brooklands Museum and the thousands of other classics on display and you have the perfect start to the year. Hope to see as many of you as possible.

It does indeed seem a great shame that the Sprint is a shadow of its former self in terms of AC entries.  It used to be a fantastic display of a great number of AC cars at full chat going back over 20 years now.
   
   I think part of the problem is that the Sprint rules and regulations/equipment/helmet and overalls etc are far more stringent these days and you really need to be a committed sprinter with several events booked for the year to make it all worthwhile. Added to this, there is also the fact that car track days are now far more prevalent. You get  at least 40 laps of the circuit in as opposed to only 3 or 4 at a sprint. Contrast the event with the mid-week Brooklands Trust track day that was held at Goodwood only days before which was over subscribed. If times have changed then you have to move on.
   
   Perhaps there are two ways forward? Either make it a track day and see how many members fancy enjoying the circuit at their own pace for pure fun - different fast/slow groups as usual. Or, make it a 'must do' event in the calender, perhaps run along Intermarque Championship lines to make it a real spectacle - invited clubs only - AC/Aston Martin/Ferrari/Jaguar/Porsche. Now that would be really interesting and there are enough competition enthusiasts in those clubs to take up the allotted places. Goodwood is a definite draw and many would fancy a post- Revival thrash no doubt.

Apparently the Team AC Facebook page has over 2000 followers from all over the world - amazing when you think about it and probably the easiest way to achieve coverage and publicity.
   
   Just type Team AC Facebook and you are there., for those that have never visited the site.

I find posting photographs very difficult and migrate to the Team AC Facebook page on a daily basis where there is always a new AC related topic or gallery every few days. Steve Gray seems to dig up some amazing stuff from his archive and ex factory employees network.
   
   Facebook does seem to be a much easier way of doing things and gives wider exposure.