Conference terri::cars_uk

>    Have the readers of this notesfile seen the recent announcement
>    that Ford is closing down AC ?

WHAT! Say it isn't true! 

I haven't heard anything from the AC owners club. In fact the spares situtation
is the best it's been in years.

    
    Yes, I heard this a couple of months ago, but I also heard that 
    the non-Ford part of the shareholders were trying to save the company.
    
    Isn't it nice to know that Ford control two others of our major 
    car manufacturers (and the two with the greatest sporting heritage)?
    
    Mark

    

        
    Yup, AC will close. 

    They were broke. Ford wouldn't spend any more money on them.

    The guy who designed the new AC (seen on the Ford stand at the Brum 
    motorshow 2yrs ago?) told Ford that it would be built his way or not 
    at all. Ford decided to do some 'rightsizing'. 

    Possible not the right note for this but does anyone know anything
    about the AC ME 3000 (I think thats what it's called). It's the
    mid-engined AC produced in about 1983.
    
    There's a Green Y-reg one for sale and I'm interested in how much these
    things are worth, what performance you get, what engine it has etc.
    
    Also does anyone know the contact address / phone number of the AC
    owners club ?

    
    Essex powered with dissapointing performance (not much if any better
    than a 3.0 Capri). Nice looking (in an unusual rather than classic way)
    and probably (although I'm not sure) quite nice handling.
    
    Probably a future classic, with that name and a fairly limited
    production run.
    
    Mark

    .4-.5
    
    Agree the AC3000 is certainly a future classic....I think there is a 
    standard 3L and a 3L turbo (maybe conversions)....You know which one 
    to get!
    
    Mostly around 10K-20K in UK for good to excellennt models.  Tyford
    Moors Garage 0962715011 have a "AC3000ME 19kmiles turbo" for 16K,
    Hendon Way Motors 081 2028011 will probably have on (Lots of Cobras),
    and theres a few private ones in this months "Classic and sportcar",
    e.g. "AC3000ME turbo last pre-production prototype SPG773R" on 0252
    836829.
    
    Hope you get one....rare and good looking motor.. 
    
    

    re Classic and Sportscar...
    
    What an issue:
    
    1. How to choose a Lotus 7
    
    2. Maserati 300S
    
    3. Fangio's 80th birthday
    
    4. Stuart Lewis-Evans
    
    5. A great Theakston's advert
    
    Cheers...Gary

I belong to the AC Owners club. I'll post the address when I get the info,
(it's at home).

The ME3000 was produced off and on from the late 1970's until sometime in the 
mid-1980's. There is a sad history of the whole project being under funded,
under estimated and over hyped.

There were a number of problems to start with. Off hand I can remember reading
about drive chain problems, subframe rusting and suspension quirks. I believe 
all of these are preventible/fixable.

Robin Rew (specialist) has been quite successful with modifications including 
turbo charging. I believe he offers complete service/upgrading to various 
levels. Set up right the cars are very quick and nimble. I seem to recall that
Rew himself has a Porsche killer version that does extremely well in various
hill climbs.  

Membership secretary:	B.C. Clark
			The Flint Barn
			Upper Wootton, Nr. Basingstoke,
			Hants RG26 5TH

ME 3000 Registrar:	J.B. Spooner
			Wing Lodge
			Wing, Nr. Oakham,
			Leisc., LE15 8RZ

    Rik,
    
    There is one for sale at a car dealers in Cove (Farnborough),
    but I don't know the price or any details - only saw it on
    the forecourt in passing...
    
    J.R.