CS2030

[rstainer]

It has now been established that 2030 has continuous history as a complete vehicle. The updated register reads:
   
   AC Cars demonstration car. 4.2 Ltr engine. Instructions issued 12-9-62
   RHD. Listed on Shelby American ledger as ""AC test car"".  Completed at Thames Ditton and not sent to the USA. Believed to have been the prototype rack & pinion car. Registered 1 Nov 62 and used by AC as factory demonstrator. Sold 18 Nov 63.
   
   Severely damaged, believed to be front end collision followed by fire; log book stamped 'insurance total loss payment' (68/9). Salvageable components kept together, front end of chassis and front A frame replaced and new body made, with hood scoop, side vents and larger wheel arches. Purchased dismantled by Ronald Horsey (81).  Rebuilt with the new body, replacement 6 bolt 289 engine, non-standard dashboard, incorrect instruments, Ace-style seats, incorrect filler cap & 6" wheels. Rebuild completed in 84.
   
   [Shelby American/AC (63), D Cromby (68), Rupert Nuttall (71), John Southon (81)]
   "

[aaron]

It will beinteresting to see what the car sells for at Auction, any idea who made the new body for the car ?

[rstainer]

Aaron,
   
   If it is bought by someone who wants a Goodwood 'Modsports' racer, who knows. Hopefully, it will go to a collector who will restore it to original condition: 5 1/2" wire wheels, narrow arches, no side vents, 260 five-bolt engine etc. In its original form it was one of the most elegant Cobras of all time.
   
   
   Body? Impossible to tell - no visible clues whatsoever.
   
   RS

[tim isles]

Robin,
   I can only agree, very elegant.
   I wonder what Stirling Moss thought of the car? I don't recall him ever commenting in the motoring press?
   From your description it sounds as though the car is now perhaps more 'spirit' than body? Whatever, it is good, and I think important, that CS 2030 lives on.
   Let us hope a new owner replaces the body, corrects the interior, fits the correct wheels and so on.

[rstainer]

Now fully described in Bonhams catalogue: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22729/lot/2/
   
   RS

[MkIV Lux]

what I do not undestand in this description is the two advertisement pictures of 510GBL, showing a car with quite different body features, particularly fenders, the first ad's capture even talking about a Zephir engined Ace .... [V][?]

[rstainer]

Constant,
   
   The first advert is for several cars, including the Cobra and an Ace 2.6. The advert transposed their descriptions, thus the Cobra being cheaper and having Zephyr engine!
   
   I don't understand the second point; it's the same car.
   
   RS

[rstainer]

PS: meaning all the 60s pictures are of 2030.
   
   RS

[MkIV Lux]

quote:Originally posted by rstainer
   
...
   
   I don't understand the second point; it's the same car.
   
   RS
   

   must be the poor quality of the advert pics that misled me [:I]

[rsk289]

Wow.  I fear for this car, it looks like a prime candidate for the 'modsports' brigade as noted above.  It will take a lot of time and money, and the sourcing of a lot of tricky parts, to get this car back to how it was in '62.

[rstainer]

The car is now in the hands of a sympathetic Ace owner who plans to restore it to original condition.
   
   RS

[nikbj68]

Excellent news!

[TLegate]

And quite a large project! But good to know it's been rescued.

[SJ351]

I was looking at over 50 photographs of this car from all angles at AC Heritage a couple of days ago - inside, outside and underneath, both past and very recent. It is nice to know that it will be reconstructed in its proper guise.
   
   Preserving history is important and an antidote to the ever prevalent Modsports cars (which I also love). Hats off to Robin for taking on the auctioneers again.

[aaron]

Thats good news that the car is being restored, the owner could use the current body for a 2030 replica hot rod for the race track [:)]