1953 AC 2-Litre Buckland MkII Tourer
Registration no. LWP 801
Chassis no. EH2036
Engine no. UMB 2035

The AC story began when, having abandoned plans to produce a 20hp touring car, John Weller turned his not inconsiderable design talents to something more mundane: a three-wheeled commercial delivery vehicle that would suit the needs of his businessman backer, John Portwine. Introduced in 1904 and called the 'Auto-Carrier', this single-cylinder timber-framed device was an immediate success, being a quicker and more efficient means of transporting goods around towns and cities than either horses or bicycles. The firm's first four-cylinder car, powered by an 1,100cc, 10hp Fivet engine, arrived in 1913. This was superseded by a 12hp Anzani-engined model in 1919, its introduction coinciding with the first appearance of Weller's famous overhead-camshaft 'six'. In production from 1922, this 2.0-litre unit was an exceptional design that would stand the company in good stead, essentially unchanged, for the next 40 years.

Introduced in 1947, the AC 2-Litre was unusual in retaining beam-axle front suspension at a time when independent systems were becoming the norm. A spacious and well-equipped touring car, it was endowed with respectable (80mph) performance courtesy of the firm's long established and ruggedly-built overhead-cam 2.0-litre six. Breathing through triple SU carburettors, the latter produced 76bhp and was coupled to a Moss four-speed gearbox.

A variety of body styles - some coachbuilt - were available, including a four-door model from late 1952. Featuring coachwork courtesy of the Buckland Body Works of Buntingford, Hertfordshire, the Buckland two-door four-seater tourer arrived in 1949. Some 75-or-so were built in all, later versions having cutaway doors and wind-up windows. With its windscreen folded flat the lighter Buckland could better the saloon's top speed by some 10mph. Available to special order only from 1954, the last AC 2-Litre left the works in 1958, by which time 1,129 of all types had been built.

According to surviving records, the car offered here is the last chassis delivered to Buckland by AC Cars and is the last of this model completed by them. The current vendor acquired 'LWP 801' in 1987 from William Deacon of Iden, East Sussex, who is understood to have owned the car since 1953. Hugely original and un-restored throughout, and with its engine in running order having been recently serviced, this rare and highly desirable AC soft-top is offered with an original sales brochure; an original AC instruction book; some bills; and a V5 registration document.