AC Cars 16/80 Competition Sports 2 Seater

1937 AC 16/80 Competition Sports Two Seater

Chassis no. L 631

Engine no. UMB 294

In 1930 the AC marque moved ownership to William and Charles Hurlock they strived to provide bespoke fast tourers to reach there standard of excellent performance and finish with elegant lines.

The unsurpassable tourer is seen here the 16/80 competition sports model. After being launched at the London Motor Show in 1937. the short production phase that began in 1935. nding only four years later. resulting in forty two 16/80's being built. The first twenty eight were fitted with the slab tank body with the raised cowl. ow bonnet and narrow windscreen. with this example being one of only fourteen sloping tail models produced differing by the two seater sports body in addition to the flat cowl. taller bonnet and a wider windscreen . being a competition model it also benefits from automatic chassis lubrication. tele control adjustable shock absorbers and a built in jack for efficient tyre changes. It runs the AC inline six which held a substantial production length from the early 20's until 1963 in the likes of the AC Ace. The engine block that was partnered with chassis L 631 had eventually had to be replaced with UMB 294. however it must be noted that it retains the original tulip valve high compression head. with the assistance of triple SU Carburettors it runs flawlessly. This 80 horsepower variant handles sport touring with ease. handling high speeds effortlessly with the aid of the four speed synchromesh gearbox. Furthermore it benefits from having a very low slung chassis of which. provided a sporty feel to such a elegant design. This in collaboration with the soft cream coat with biscuit interior gives a superior finesse that has seen minuscule wear.

This AC has such an extensive history file. of which can be traced from the original purchaser. it had been registered in December 1937 to a Miss Hope Edwards of Netley Hall. Shrewsbury. accounted for in letters dating from the 60's and the early 90's portraying her sentiment for the car. including daring adventures such as “exceeding 100 mph in it on sands of a beach in North Wales”. After fourteen years she parted with the car in 1951. After a couple of short term owners in South London. It been purchased by David Sinnet Jones whom campaigned the 16/80. modifying and adjusting the car to be as low slung and balanced as possible including the fitting of cycle style fenders. Whilst gleaming bright yellow round the likes of paddock hill bend with an extravagant visible exhaust manifold it was named the “flying banana” in the racing community. with many period images at British race tracks such as Silverstone and Brands Hatch on file. During its racing career it was rated the fastest post vintage tourer in 1958/59. ith its escapades mentioned in autosport in those years. ts also mentioned in Sinnet Jones autobiography “passion for life”. After nine years of excitement the car retired from racing. Post retirement the car had been purchased by a prominent member of the AC owners club and after a long and painstakingly expensive restoration back to original specification the car moved on in 1991. Multiple years and a couple of owners later the 16/80 went stateside and and internationally debuted at Laguna Seca as part of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in September 2012 of which it placed 8 th out of the 26 runners. reviving its racing heritage after fifty years.

The extensive history is documented thoroughly including the likes of the old British buff log book. eriod race images. mport and purchasing documents and most importantly the accounts from multiple previous owners including the late Lady More of Netley Hall. avid Sinnet Jones.

After being repatriated and maintained we are pleased to provide the opportunity. to purchase one of the most renowned pre war AC's.

For further enquires please contact us via email

charlie brooklandscarsltd. com

Alternatively by phone

01932 828545 or 7

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