Do you know this 1936 AC?

[mmouss]

Hello,

Here is the 1936 AC 16/80 I bought last year in the UK.
It has a special body and I suspect it is well known to some members of the ACOC.

I would be very interested in any info about its story.
Can anyone help please?

[pjbowman]

Lovely car, I can't add more than that!

[administrator]

L431 - built as a 1936 2 Seater DHC and rebuilt / rebodied by David Hill, who did quite a few competitions in it.  If you are an ACOC member, get in touch with Steve Hall, PVT Registrar, who will be able to give you a lot more detail.  His contact details are in ACtion.

[Big col]

Lovely car !

[mmouss]

Thank you for your kind answers.

I am not member of the ACOC yet and I am presently adding a couple of improvements to the car: 2 doors & a hood.
Of course, a new paint job will follow...
I also have completely rebuilt the engine which really needed it: brand new liners & pistons, as well as reground crankshaft & re white metal.

[mmouss]

So, the AC is progressing quite well now.
After a complete engine rebuild, I had the body modified by adding 2 doors.
Then, I got a hood, side screens and new tonneau cover.

I also made new door and inside leather trims, assorted to the existing seats.
And at the moment, I am working on a complete paint job which is nearly finished before re assembling the various components.

Then, I hope we can enjoy driving it in the beginning of next year an correctly run the brand new engine in!

[Big col]

It's looking really good.
I am slightly ahead of you body wise but will be "running in" next year like yourself.
You are in front of me as regards side screens and I have to confess to struggling at the moment. I hoped to get out and about this year to see some other cars to get some ideas as to how to do them and take some pictures. I'm not proud and don't mind stealing other proven designs. Let's hope next year is a little bit more sociable.

[mmouss]

Thank you Big col,

What kind of body is your AC wearing?

Re the side screens, I took some inspiration from those of my MG TC which I find quite practical & efficient.
I built the metal part about the same way, but with adapting the size and details to the AC of course.

I already have driven the car a little with its new engine (about 200 km) and no faster than 40 mph till now.
I suspect this kind of engine needs to be ran in quite a long distance this way, say about 2.000 km or even more?

I saw somewhere your engine doesn't idle correctly when cold starting and using choke.
So does mine and I need to use the manual accelerator for a couple of minutes till it gets warm and then run on a good idle.

[Big col]

Hello mmouss,

It's a four seat DHC made to accommodate a six foot three bloater.

I agree with what you say about the running in. Plenty of oil changes as well.

Like you I find using the hand throttle to increase the idol speed helps with the cold running. I have also reinstated the advance/retard linkages and closed the thermostat to help it reach temperature quicker. I think it will be improved once the engine loosens up a little and some tuning can be done.

[administrator]

It's worth re-torqueing the cylinder head nuts a few times during the running in process.

[mmouss]

Big col, what is a "three bloater" please?  ::)

[GSouthee]

Hi

I think you will find that a 6'3" bloater is a large gentleman. Tall and rotund'ish.

I am sure Big Col will confirm or deny :D

By the way very nice car

Gary

[Big col]

Yes. Bang on Gary.

[Big col]

Look at the girth. Nothing to be proud of but it has cost a lot in time and money.

[mmouss]

Hi

I think you will find that a 6'3" bloater is a large gentleman. Tall and rotund'ish.

I am sure Big Col will confirm or deny :D

By the way very nice car

Gary

OK, thank you Gary, so may I understand bloater means "big gentleman"?

Thank you for your compliment and indulgence re my AC, though, in my opinion, some work is still required to make it "very nice"...
Will keep on posting the progress!