AC 2-Litre From 1947 to 1956

Manufacturer	AC
Production	1947 to 1956
Built	1,284 produced
Class	Sports Car
Body style	2 -door / 4-door saloon, drophead coupé, tourer
Layout	FR layout
Engine	1991 cc I6 ohc 74 bhp (55.2 kW)/76 bhp (56.7 kW)
Transmission	4-speed manual
Wheelbase	117 in (2,972 mm)
Length	184 in (4,674 mm)
Width	67 in (1,702 mm)
Height	61 in (1,549 mm)
Curb weight	2,912 lb (1,321 kg)

The AC 2-Litre was a luxury car built by AC of Thames Ditton in Surrey, England. between 1947 and 1956.

History

AC produced a modern style to hide the traditional engineering.Much of the detail was new. The X-braced chassis frame, with beam front and rear axles, was fresh. The 17in wheels hid a Girling hydro-mechanical braking layout, and for the first time on an AC there were hydraulic dampers.The alloy block/iron head overhead-cam engine, almost into its fourth decade, used triple SU carbs and was mated to a Moss gearbox. The 2-litre's two-door saloon body was framed in wood with aluminium panels.

The AC 2-Litre is an exclusive and stylish saloon offered by AC of Thames Ditton in Surrey, England. A car made-to-measure at the Thames Ditton factory that produced, a hand-made and finely finished product. With true British craftsmanship. The 2-Litre A.C. Differences from previous model with new windscreen frame and now the absence of rear wheel spats (covers). As from 1953, four-door saloons were sold. In addition, as from 1949, a small number of drophead coupés and "Buckland" tourers were produced.

The car changed very little during its ten-year production run, The 2-door, 4-light sports saloon with an aerodynamic look is off a close full 5-seater design. Incorporating a luggage boot in the tail, this body, which is built in the A.C. works, has a framework of seasoned wood and is built with a body of paneled in aluminum’s bonnet, hinged down the center, is lockable, and allows easy access to the engine for adjustments. Quality Interior with leather upholstery and walnut dash for instrument panel and window capping, with driving comfort and excellent all-round vision are good. The wheel size did increase slightly to 16 in (406 mm) in 1951. 

The aluminum paneled body on a wood frame was fitted to a conventional steel chassis with rigid axles front and rear with semi-elliptic leaf springs with, for the first time on an AC, hydraulic dampers. Until 1951 the car had a hydro-mechanical hybrid braking system, hydraulic at the front and cable at the rear with 12 in (305 mm) drums.

1947 2-litre engine which has been modernized with a view to a higher power-output. The A.C. has never been a cheap car, but one hand-
built and Possessing a quality and charm of appeal to a specialized clientele.The light rigid chassis frame of the new 2-litre, underslung at the rear, is of cruciform construction incorporating box-section for strength. Sound and orthodox suspension has been decided upon in the shape of half-elliptic springs all round. A.C.'s haveproved in this new car, that without recourse to intricate suspension systems and adventurous chassis designs, it is possible to produce a thoroughly stable and roadworthy vehicle, possessing a sparkling performance and just that quality which assures long life and pride of ownership. At the front are found Wood- head Monroe piston-type dampers, whilst Girling hydraulic shock absorbers restrain the rear springs. The brakes, which operate in 12 in. diameter drums, are of the Girling hydro-mechanical design providing a powerful braking performance for only light pedal pressure. A Hardy Spicer needle-type propeller shaft powers the rear axle of hypoid spiral bevel pattern.

A smart drophead coupé followed in 1949, a four-door saloon in 1953. Over time there were improvements such as a power boost to 85bhp, all- round telescopic dampers, a full
hydraulic braking system, and 16in wheels in 1951, The most startling innovation was the launch of the Buckland Tourer in 1949, an open-top five-seater with cutaway dpory, This was lighter and more but still no sports car.
The 2-Litre always struggled to gain an image. Once the Ace sports car appeared, it faded into the background. From 1954, only 42 cars were produced, the last in 1958. In spite of the rust- resistant bodywork there seem to be surprisingly few survivors, mainly as they are a source of replacement engines for more valuable Aces and pre-war cars.

The engine, as has been said, is of the well-tried and well- known design basically, but has undergone considerable development to produce 74 b.h.p. The light alloy cylinder block has been retained in conjunction with wet cast iron cylinders liners

The light rigid chassis frame of cruciform construction incorporating box-section for strength. sound and orthodox suspension with half elliptic springs all round with front Wood-head Monroe piston-type dampers, whilst Girling, hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear springs. A Borg and Beck dry single-plate clutch transmits the power to a 4-speed gear box
with synchromesh engagement for the upper three ratios. To Power the rear wheels, all fitted with Chromium hub discs are fitted. with A Hardy Spicer needle-type propeller shaft powers the rear axle of typical hypoid spiral bevel type.

The AC 2-litre engine, which continued to be offered in other AC models until 1963.  The engine, of the well-tried previous design, but has undergone more development to now produce 74 b.h.p with the triple S.U. carburetors light wet liner, aluminum cylinder block, six-cylinder 1991 cc engine has been retained in conjunction with wet cast iron cylinder liners, as also has the chain driven overhead camshaft system for valve operation, this unit first offered by the company in the AC 16, way back prewar in 1922. However, post war in 1947 the engine was increased again in 1951 to 85 bhp (63.4 kW) which was more than twice the 35 bhp (26.1 kW) claimed for engine's original application.

 The  AC 2-litre  had a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 19.9 seconds. A fuel consumption of 23 miles per imperial gallon.

Performance:

• Max. b.h.p., 74 at 4.500 r.p.m
• b.h.p. per sq. in. piston area, 2.41
• Top gear, m.p.h. per 1,000 r.p.m., 17.24
• Top gear, m.p.h. at 2.500 ft./min
• Piston speed, 65.5 litres per ton mile, dry, 2,680.