1950 AC 2-Litre Sports Tourer--SOLD (Florida) - $0

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1950 AC 2-Litre Sports Tourer For Sale or Trade Ultra rare British classic, this AC is one of only 70 examples built by the legendary AC, the oldest automobile manufacturer in Britain. This was was ordered new in black with roll-up side windows. More photos and details to follow shortly. CHASSIS NO: ELX1512 Engine No: UMB1508 7 1 1,991 cc SOHC inline six-cylinder engine, triple SU carburetors, 74 HP, four-speed manual gearbox, solid front and live rear axles with transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs, Girling hydraulic front and mechanical rear drum brakes; wheelbase: 117” Historic as Britain’s oldest independent automotive marque, AC weathered two world wars, the Great Depression, and the difficult postwar in Britain as a low-volume producer of high-quality motorcars and other transportation products. Long the choice of discerning and well-heeled driving enthusiasts, AC returned to automobile production in 1947 with the new 2-Litre, initially in Saloon form and of course powered by AC’s own 1,991-cc SOHC inline six-cylinder engine. A rare drophead coupe (DHC) debuted for 1949, which was produced for only about a year and succeeded by the striking ‘Buckland’ five-passenger tourer, with bodies supplied by the Buckland Body Works of Buntingford, Hertfordshire. Featuring attractive, rounded bodylines, beautifully flowing front fenders, and a rakish fold-down windscreen, the 2-Litre Buckland was produced to 1956 and bridged the gap between AC’s more traditional road cars and the John Tojeiro-designed Ace that is most commonly associated with AC by today’s collectors. While numbers are not precise, AC marque enthusiasts cite production of the 2-Litre Buckland at just 70 examples. Formerly owned by noted New England collector and enthusiast, John Moir, this AC 2-Litre Buckland tourer was purchased by him when new and it is the car that ignited his longstanding passion for the AC marque. As the story goes, the young Mr. Moir had been driving his father’s old Cadillac V-16 but found it a bit large when negotiating Boston traffic. Mr. Moir’s dad wrote to family friend Bob Russell, asking for advice on a suitable replacement for the Cadillac; Mr. Russell replied that, while he drove a Lagonda, an AC would be most suitable for the young man. Accordingly, an order was placed for a 2-Litre Sports Tourer, with Mr. Moir requesting the AC Thames Ditton works to paint the car black and install roll-up side windows. Shortly thereafter, the sleek AC arrived at the docks in New York City and made its way to Mr. Moir in Massachusetts, where it was his daily driver until 1956, when it was sold to a teacher who was Mr. Moir’s colleague at a Westtown, Pennsylvania Quaker school. The next year, it was sold to a dealer and seemingly disappeared. In 1987, Mr. Moir saw an advertisement in The Antique Automobile for a black AC Tourer, which was offered by Phillips Lowther of Pennsylvania, who had owned and enjoyed the car for the previous 30 years, eventually parking it due to chronic illness. Upon seeing the rare AC’s black paint and specially-ordered roll-up windows, Mr. Moir knew the Buckland was indeed the beloved car of his youth. Mr. Moir commissioned Sebert Motor Car Company of Millbrook, Ontario, near Peterborough to restore his AC to its original color combination with correct trim and finishes throughout. It was without doubt one of the highlights of his prized “A to Z” collection until its eventual sale in late 2014. Passing through another collector, the Buckland most recently joined the collection of Mr. Monical. The restoration has been well-preserved and as offered, the very rare AC remains quite fine throughout, notwithstanding some age-appropriate mellowing. The AC received mechanical sorting prior to its Autumn 2014 sale and as now offered, it benefits from proper care and storage. Quite likely the nicest example of its rare breed available, this very special AC is presented with its features and colors as originally specified from the factory by its original owner. Steeped in wonderful history, this is a splendid AC 2-Litre Buckland Sports Tourer.