AC library

[Flyinghorse]

Been following a couple of the literature threads.
   Just out of interest if one was to start building a small AC reference library what would the books of choice be?
   
   I seem to keep buying the "wrong" books....either factually or just in general quality.
   
   The books I guess are split into whole marque ,and specific model,each containing some information on the "people" ,so key books on each would be good to have.
   
   The whole history,struggle,fame,fortune of AC is facinating and not just Cobra oriented.
   
   Graham

[Chafford]

You could start with 'Cobra, the First 40 Years' by Trevor Legate; 'Original AC Ace and Cobra' by Rinsey Mills (out of print but available secondhand); 'Shelby Cobra, the Shelby American Original Archives' by Dave Friedman (great pictures of the Shelby American racing operation.)
   
   General AC books - 'AC Cars 1904 -2009' Road Test Portfolio, Brooklands Books; 'Ac Heritage: From the Three-Wheeler to Superblower' by Simon Taylor and Peter Burns; 'Classic Acs: Auto-Carrier to Cobra', John Mclellan (out of print); 'AC Six Cylinder Sports Cars in Detail' Rinsey Mills.
   
   This lot will set you back a small fortune - I would start with Trevor Legate's Cobra book and Rinsey Mills' Six Cylinder Sports Cars.

[SunDude]

Shelby World Registry of Cobras and GT40s 2008 ed.: it's the bible.
   
   Mike Shoen's The Cobra-Ferrari Wars 1963-1965 is another favorite.
   
   But I agree that Trevor's books (all three) are excellent.  Still waiting on that fourth book...

[Flyinghorse]

Thanks for suggestions.
   
   I ended up buying:
   
   RG Henderson  A history of AC cars
   Simon Taylor & Peter Burn book 90 years from the Three Wheeler to the Cobra
   John McLennan AC & Cobra
   
   That should be enough to be going on with and good with a scotch,warm fire when the garage is at -17.
   Graham

[Old Crock]

Jock Henderson's 'The History of AC Cars Ltd' is a little gem of a book. Commissioned by William Hurlock, and written by AC's Sales Manager at the time it was published in 1952. You were lucky to find it.
   
   John McLellan's 'AC and Cobra', also brilliant. I like the period photos and there's a very handy appendix of vehicle specs and prices etc from 1915-82.
   
   If you're interested in 'early' history try getting also 'AC' by Martyn Watkins (Foulis mini-marque series) and the Profile Publications 'The 2-litre AC Six' does come up quite regularly on Ebay.

[Flyinghorse]

So we have in no particular order (its getting expensive):
   General AC books/other AC models
   'The History of AC Cars Ltd' Jock (RG) Henderson (Ed)
   'AC Cars 1904 -2009' Road Test Portfolio, Brooklands Books
   'Ac Heritage: From the Three-Wheeler to Superblower' by Simon Taylor and Peter Burns
   'AC and Cobra'   John McLellan
   'Classic AC's: Auto-Carrier to Cobra' John Mclellan
   'AC Six Cylinder Sports Cars in Detail' Rinsey Mills
   'The 2-litre AC Six' Profile Publications
   'AC' by Martyn Watkins (Foulis mini-marque series)
   
    Cobra /Ace
   'Cobra, the First 40 Years' by Trevor Legate
   'Original AC Ace and Cobra' by Rinsey Mills
   'Shelby Cobra, the Shelby American Original Archives' by Dave Friedman
   'Shelby World Registry of Cobras and GT40s 2008' ed.: it's the bible.
   'The Cobra-Ferrari Wars 1963-1965 ' Mike Shoen

[Flyinghorse]

I would also add,having just opbtained a copy the Osprey series book by F Wilson McComb  AC (Shelby) Cobra

[1984MkIV]

You can download a list of books from the Cobra Owners Club Switzerland:
   
   http://www.cobra-swiss.ch/Dokumente/Cobra-Books.pdf
   
   It´s from 2005 but includes a quite complete list and a ranking as well.
   
   Michael