Help with Automobile Model Identification

[rawanajr]

I am new to this forum and know nothing about British Automobiles, therefore I woulk like to ask for the assitance from the experts (other members).

A friend of mine wants me to assist him in selling this car, https://www.flickr.com/photos/awanaohana/
however we do not know much about the car. We did discover on the door sill, "Coachworks by AC (ACEDES) Cars Limited Thames Ditton England". Also the Radiator Shell has AC on it and the firewall has a plaque with the following "Chassis No L613, and Engine No 566?" We do not know the year or model of the car.

If anyone could assist with Identification, Make, Model, Year, etc. It would be really helpful. If you did not select the link above, please select this link. https://www.flickr.com/photos/awanaohana/

Thank you kindly for your assistance, it is much appreciated.

 

[JamesWilson]

The car was built by AC before WW2. After the war AC built a number of highly desirable sports cars, most notably the Cobra.

This may be an AC 16/56, for the resemblance is very strong:

https://www.practicalclassics.co.uk/profi...&optionID=5

 

[Sherlock]

Re: Help with Automobile ID [pre-WW2 AC]

Gorgeous car!

There are probably some U.K.-based clubs that you could contact, there is a very good list of existing clubs in Practical Classics. Clubs like that could likely help in some specific identification.

And does your friend know much of the history of this car? That would be of help if known...

Edit...

It's definitely one of the 1930's models, but hard to pin down from there without some further research, chassis number should tell you lots.

Check out this page... https://www.motorbase.com/search/make_and_model.ehtml (search terms [manufacturer - AC; produced between - 1930 & 1940])

 

[Steve_S]

Re: Help with Automobile ID [pre-WW2 AC]

I don't know anything about that car, but I would absolutely LOVE to own one! It's beautiful!

 

[Keoke]

Rwanajr:
I don't care what it is where is it and how much does he want for it.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

 

[rawanajr]

Re: Help with Automobile ID [pre-WW2 AC]

Thank you all for the information, if anyone else has more information as to the model, worth, rarity, etc. I would be most grateful.

 

[rawanajr]

James, Thank you for the link. I will post my information there as well. I checked on the Pratcial Classic website and found an Ac Owners club in the UK, however i am unable to post anything (you have to be a member). I will keep on trying to find out more information on the car.

 

[sammyb]

The car is a 1938 AC 16/60 four seat convertible. I know that by chassis number, because Chassis 614 (1 off) was sold by H&H Classic Auctions, and it was a 1938.

The car has a 1991cc 6cyl engine. A good tourer -- nimble by pre-war standards.

These are nice cars -- but VERY expensive to restore. They are considered "Full Classics" by the Classic Car Club of America.

As for value, here's where we take a little fact, then jump off into the sea of opinions:

The similar car in much better shape (from what I understand) sold for 13,500pounds in 1996. Unlike post-war cars, the pre-war cars (all pre-war, not just AC) have been soft in value - because they are not very easy to drive.

Given the difference in condition, I would suspect that this car is worth under $8,000 in its present condition -- less if the engine is seized or if there is major frame rot. It is hard to tell from the pictures. I would also guess that a non-concours quality, but very nice tourer is probably a $35,000 completed. This car will probably take all that $35,000 and then some to get to that level.

 

[Steve_S]

I keep going back to look at it. And those wheels are COOL!

 

[rawanajr]

Thank you everyone for you comments and assistance with identifying the car; especially James, Sherlock and Sammyb. I truly appreciate a group of fine people who can appreciate the beauty of a fine car. Now I need to find out how to get the thing registered, apparently my friend lost the papers (over 10 years ago). Does anyone have any suggestions on how you would go about registering something like this?

 

[JamesWilson]

How you register it will depend on where your friend and/or the car are. If it and they are in Hawaii I'd start by asking the people that deal with Automobile titles and title transfers. That's what there there for doing...

A quick search turned up:

https://www.state.hi.us/dot/publicaffairs/motorvehicleregistration.htm

Looks like its done by the counties (Islands?) there....

Good luck.

 

[sammyb]

Getting the car registered is a piece of cake if your friend transferred the title when he got it. He simply goes in with the title or previous license plate number to the Dept of Licensing.

If he never transferred the title, well that becomes a big issue in most states.

By the way, if he has a title in his name, there's no reason to register it unless he's planning to drive it.