ac

A brief history about ac: AC is one of the oldest car brands in the U.K., with roots going all the way back to 1901 in West Norwood, London. Over the years, the company went through a rollercoaster of name changes, financial struggles, and reinventions.

It all started with the Weller brothers, who ran a small car and motorcycle repair shop. Since they often had to make parts themselves, they figured—why not build an entire car? In 1902, businessman John Portwine saw potential in their work and became an investor.

By 1903, the Weller brothers had unveiled their first prototype at the Crystal Palace Motor Show—a four-wheel touring car with a 20 hp engine. But Portwine, ever the businessman, convinced them to pivot toward something more practical: a three-wheeled delivery vehicle. By 1904, the tricycle was ready, and the company rebranded as Autocar and Accessories.

This little trike was an instant hit! It had two front wheels, one at the back, and a tiny two-stroke engine driving the rear via a chain. Four years later, the company turned the delivery vehicle into a personal ride by swapping the cargo box for a small seat and a convertible canvas top. It stayed in production until 1914, and by then, the company had rebranded again—this time as Autocarriers LTD, using the now-famous "AC" name and rounded logo.

In 1914, AC took a big step into the world of four-wheelers, launching the AC Light Car. Unfortunately, production was cut short when World War I broke out. The War Office stepped in and repurposed AC’s vehicles for military use—adding armored bodywork to their cars and even turning their tricycle into a war machine, complete with a front-mounted Maxim machine gun for the London Cyclist Regiment.

After the war, businessman Selwyn F. Edge took over and rebranded the company as AC Cars LTD in 1922. The original founders, Weller and Portwine, stepped away. Edge, a racing enthusiast, saw massive potential in one of Weller’s last engine designs—an inline-six with a unique chain-driven system that later became a staple for many automakers. Under Edge’s leadership, AC became a serious contender in motorsports, winning races like the 1926 Monte Carlo Rally.

Then came AC’s golden era. In 1953, they introduced the ACE, a sleek roadster with a tubular chassis. A year later, they rolled out a coupe version, the ACE Aceca, which broke the 200 km/h (128 mph) barrier—an impressive feat for the time. AC’s motorsport success caught the eye of a certain Carroll Shelby, who, in 1961, approached the company to collaborate. And just like that, the legendary AC Cobra was born.

Despite the Cobra’s fame, AC struggled to recreate its past success. The company changed hands multiple times, and in 1996, a South African businessman bought what was left, hoping to revive the brand. In 2003, AC teamed up with Carroll Shelby International to build a new car, but sadly, only a prototype came out of it. Between 2004 and 2007, AC produced the MkV in Malta with a carbon-fiber body while keeping the classic Cobra design.

After over a century of ups and downs, AC is still around, but without a solid investor, it risks becoming just another name in automotive history.