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1926 AC Royal Roadster 12/24. Registration no. Tbc. Chassis no.…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
3-May-2009
Lot No.
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Description:
1926 AC Royal Roadster 12/24. Registration no. Tbc. Chassis no. 30912. Engine no. 5764 (E). Although AC's reputation was established by John Weller's famous overhead-camshaft six, its early offerings relied on proprietary four-cylinder engines, that offered here being one such. AC's Weller-designed six entered production in 1922, helping to secured the marque's place in motoring history when in 1926 a 2.0-litre model driven by Victor Bruce and W J Burnell became the first British car to win the Monte Carlo Rally. Indeed, the Company was then engaged in an active competitions programme under the stewardship of that formidable motoring personality, S F edge and the policy had already born fruit the previous year when an AC six broke the 24-hour world record for its class with a speed of 82mph, the six-cylinder AC chassis followed the lines of its four-cylinder contemporary, featuring quarter-elliptic springing front and rear, a three-speed gearbox in unit with the rear axle and worm final drive. Front wheel brakes were optional at first, standard issue from 1927. Although the first sixes were running in 1919 it took some time to get production under way and the majority of ACs produced immediately after, the Great War were powered by British Anzani engines. Rated at 12hp for taxation purposes, the four-cylinder AC remained in production until 1928, the firm relying exclusively on the Weller six thereafter. This particular vehicle was first registered on 13th August 1926 and has Anzani's 11/2-litre four-cylinder sidevalve engine. It was licensed for the road in the Uk until November 1978 and owned for many years by Bernard Garrett, doyen of the AC Owners club. Mr Garrett purchased the car in 1947 for รบ4 11s 4d after retrieving it from a south London home where it had lain neglected for many years, the previous owner had, in fact, walled up his yard and the car had to be removed by crane!, the AC was completely rebuilt by Mr Garrett and subsequently featured in several books on the marque. It was purchased in the Uk in December 1980 for display at the York motor Museum.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Motor Vehicles: Motor Cars