AC Ace Tyres
AC Ace with Michelin Tyres
From 1954 to 1966 the AC Ace fitted a 5.50x16 tyre. In this size both Michelin and Avon have developed new tyres with the AC Ace in mind. The original equipment Michelin X is perfect for this car.
If you would like to have the ultimate wire wheel upgrade then please click here for information on Borrani wire wheels.
AC Ace History
AC turned their hand to sports cars in 1953 unveiling the AC Ace. The car retained the companies 2 litre engine, however it was now tuned to give 85bhp and John Tojeiro's Bristol engined sports racing car provided the basis for the chassis and the coach work (Tojeiro was later asked to productionise the chassis for AC), which was extremely modern for the time. The car first went on sale in 1954. The chassis was very strong, and the low wishbones lowered the centre of gravity, to the extent there was virtually no need for the anti-roll bars. The maximum speed was approximately 105mph.
AC Ace with Avon Tyres
The AC Aceca followed the Ace, this boasted 105bhp and an enclosed coupe body. However customer demands for performance increased, this pressure led to the AC Ace being equipped with a BMW based six-cylinder bristol engine. The BMW engine produced more than 140bhp. The AC engine was offered until the end of production in the mid 1960s, however the Britsol unit was replaced by the engine used in the 2.6 litre Ford Zephyr.
An (almost) four seater called the Greyhound was offered by the Thames Ditton company. However the car was expensive and unrefined and failed to make an impression with the public.
AC Ace with Michelin Tyres
The AC Ace's production came to a halt due to the growing demand of the AC Cobra, filling the AC workshops. This should not undermine the success of the AC Ace as it was still extremely advanced for its era, far ahead of its rivals.
AC Cobra Tyres
AC Cobra
The AC Cobra fits a wide range of tyres, the original fitment was a 185x15 or alternatively a 205/70x15 .
Depending on the width of wheels used on your AC Cobra other fitments are shown below. Mainly listing the Avon CR6ZZ classic tyres which are excellent!
AC Cobra Rear Tyres
AC Cobra Front Tyres
For these tyres please call 01302 711 123 or E-mail us at sales@longstonetyres.co.uk.
The 1990s continuation Cobras (called AC Superblower) fitted 16" wheels in 225/50x16 front and 255/50x16 rear. The Michelin Pilot Sport is available in this size from the Michelin Collection to suit the AC Superblower and also the Ferrari Testarossa.
If you require new Borrani wire wheels for your AC Cobra then please click here for information on Borrani wire wheels.
AC Cobra History
The AC Cobra first came together in autumn 1961, thanks to Carroll Shelby. It compromised of an AC ace chassis with a huge Ford V8.
The AC chassis was extremely strong, and the Cobra also compromised of a robust 4HA Salisbury back axle.
The first 75 cars were equipped with a 4.2 litre engine, and the first 125 with Ace-type worm-and sector steering. From the beginning of 1963 the 4.7 litre engine, and rack and pinion steering became normal. By 1964 the Cobra's body evolved further to the sensationally fast 'Daytona' coupe body.
The Cobra in just a few years had become extremely refined, thus the team won the 1964 World GT Championship, beating such powerful names as the 250GTO Ferrari, and the lightweight E-type jaguar.
1965 saw some vital changes for the AC Cobra. Firstly the transverse leaf springs were replaced by a coil-spring and double-wishbone layout. Secondly, and arguably the most dramatic transition the Cobra would face, the replacement of the 4.7 litre engine to a 7-litre Ford Galaxie based V8. This produced a staggering 345bhp at 4,600rpm, all this in a car just over 1000kg!
There was much confusion as to what the name of the car should be. AC insisted the car be called AC, however Shelby badged and marketed it as the Shelby American Cobra. Later and even more confusing the car was known as the Ford Cobra. Production of the AC Cobras was suspended in 1968, after which AC produced a long wheelbase version (the AC428, which was also equipped Frua coachwork). The last of these was produced in 1973. However under new management in 1983 the car was re-introduced due to popular demand, the Cobra was now fitted with a 5 litre V8 Mk IV. The Cobras now produced were merely recreations of the original car, with the exception of the 'Superblower', which was fitted with a supercharger and produced 355bhp!
AC 428 Tyres
The correct tyre for the AC 428 is the 205x15, with the Pirelli Cinturato™ HS being the best suited to a sports car.
AC 428 History
The Classic AC Frua or AC 428 is a British "GT" car of the 1960s and early 1970s. Built by AC Cars from 1965 to 1973, it is extremely rare with only 81 cars built in total, 49 Coupe's (known as fastbacks), 29 Convertibles and 3 special bodied. The car is built on the classic Ac Cobra 427 Mark III race-bred coil spring chassis but extended by 6 inches. Chassis were built at the AC plant in England then shipped to Frua's workshop in Italy where the body was fitted and then sent back to England to have the power train and trim added. The cost was huge and the cars could not be sold at a competitive price. Unlike similar cars such as the classic Iso Grifo, Iso Rivolta, and Monteverdi's and classic De Tomasos of the period, the AC Frua features fully independent racing based coil spring suspension. It is often confused with the very similar looking Maserati Mistral also designed by Pietro Frua. There is a common belief that the two cars share most of their body panels, but in reality only the front quarter windows and the door handles are the same.
