The 1963 AC Greyhound merges British elegance with practicality. This rare shooting brake model, based on the AC Ace, offers versatile space without compromising style. Its sleek lines, powered by a potent straight-six engine, encapsulate a unique blend of performance and sophistication, making it a coveted classic among collectors.
Julien's Perspective
SOME THOUGHTS ON THIS MODEL
When the last 2-litre saloon left the Thames Ditton factory in 1958, AC were left without a car that offered more than two seats. In response to what was perceived as customer demand as well as encouragement from Hubert Patthey, the racing driver come Swiss AC importer, work began under the direction of chief engineer Alan Turner, on a 4-seater GT coupe, the Greyhound.
The first prototype was given an airing, as well as its competition debut, at the AC and Lagonda Owners' Club Sprint at Brand Hatch, which was quickly followed by the first production car making its appearance at the London Motor Show in October 1959.
A rare sight on the road today as only ever 84 cars were built; this being a last year production car, as later in 1963 AC negotiated a 5 year contract to make just Cobras for the States, thus extinguishing AC's Ace, Aceca and Greyhound range.
Coming from the home of a long-standing AC Club member, who notably is the current 2.6 Ace and Aceca Registrar, it will be of no surprise that this is a beautifully maintained motor car and has shared garage space with a variety of other equally lovely ACs.
Purchased by him over 40 years ago as barely a rolling project, it's now seen as one of the very best restored and driving Greyhounds on the road today. Just to reinforce its pedigree, it was the Winner of the Hurlock Cup for Overall Champion Car at AC Owners’ Club Concours d’Elegance in 2017 and features in Rinsey Mill's, "AC Six-Cylinder Sport Cars in Detail".
Restoration is just part of a car's evolution, as important is proper and continued upkeep, here again #BEF 2564 excels across both camps.
Evidently in 1982 in need of a total ground up rebuild, floors and inner wings were all dismantled and the chassis treated and painted; pleasingly this is evidenced by photographs taken at the time. As the timeline progressed more of the restoration was outsourced to Mitchell Motors, who undertook amongst other things a bare metal respray in Verte (green) metallic and fabrication of new sills.
The original 2 Litre 100 D2 engine and gearbox had been removed years before, so a concerted effort was put into tracking down a correct replacement Bristol 2.2 110 engine, the very engine that in period was available as a factory option - many have remarked that it is better suited the Greyhounds driving characteristics, so an absolute win here!
Yet again Andrew Mitchell was engaged to rebuild the engine during 2013 (just 2000 miles ago) using new Cosworth pistons, valves guides and seats. Once again, this all documented by the owner and invoices on file.
Further mechanical works include but are not limited to: new camshaft and followers ~ crankshaft reground ~ spin-on oil filter conversion ~ electric thermostatically operated fan with manual override switch ~ brake servo ~ radiator re-cored ~ Boyer Bransdon ignition spark amplifier ~ new Weber carburettors and Malpassi filter ~ twin Burlen SU fuel pumps.
Exterior features and upgrades consist of: all bright work re-chromed ~ spotlights converted to work optionally on main beam ~ five new MWS 15' wheels with new Vredenstein tyres.
Interior features and upgrades: seats re-upholstered in black leather ~ new grey carpets ~ wood rim steering wheel ~ dashboard veneered and leather top-roll ~ socket for mobile phone/sat nav ~ inertia seat belts ~ original radio converted to FM ~ new rear window.
The list is endless and all of this work has taken an enormous of time and endless dedication to produce the car you see today.
No skimping here to prepare the Greyhound for its next custodian, it was recently fully serviced by Mitchell Motors where everything necessary was greased, brakes checked and fluids changed including the engine, gearbox and rear axle oil too, so completely on the button.
I think Classic Cars' Magazine road test article from 2009 surmised the AC perfectly, entitled, "The Greyhound at Fifty", "It's heresy, but this is more fun than an Aston". Given their rarity, drive-ability, overall practicality and favourable pricing differential, it's a chant I wholly concur with.
Just to top it off, there are two excellent history files with a great deal of written commentary from the current and previous owners plus bundles of invoices relating to the restoration/rebuild and other works dating back to 1966. Importantly there are corresponding MOTs which help indicate that the 81,000 mileage is likely to be correct.
It would be a pleasure to answer any questions you might have. However, to really appreciate this fabulous Greyhound it needs to be seen “in the flesh”, so do please call me directly on 07788 865700 to arrange a viewing.