1961 AC Greyhound Registration Number: UYJ 462 Chassis Numb...

Estimate

£50,000 - £60,000

1961 AC Greyhound

Registration Number: UYJ 462
Chassis Number: BEF2516
Recorded Mileage: 18,004 miles (118,004 miles)

- Matching numbers, 1 of 17 examples fitted with desirable Bristol 110 2.2 litre engine
- ex-Ken Rudd of period tuning company Ruddspeed
- Extensive history dating back to the 1970s
- Overdrive gearbox

After the production of the 2-litre saloon ended in 1958, AC responded to customer demand and encouragement from racing driver and Swiss AC importer Hubert Patthey by developing a new model under the guidance of Chief Engineer Alan Turner. This led to the creation of the Greyhound, a brand new 4-seat GT Coupé. The first production model was unveiled at the London Motor Show in October 1959, featuring an extended version of the Aceca’s steel ladder frame chassis, and clothed in an attractive alloy body, reminiscent of Aston Martin’s recently introduced DB4. The Greyhound offered a stylish interior with leather seating, full carpeting, ample instrumentation, and generous headroom for all occupants. With fully independent front and rear suspension on coil springs, rack and pinion steering, and front disc brakes, the Greyhound was a well-engineered, lightweight, beautifully designed GT car in the best AC tradition.

Clients had a choice of engines including Bristol’s torquier 2,216 cc straight-six with an aluminium cylinder head. Purists favoured the Bristol engines for their smoothness, balance, and ideal match for the Greyhound’s GT aspirations, especially when paired with a four-speed manual gearbox and optional overdrive. Production of the Greyhound continued until 1963, when the success of the Cobra took precedence, resulting in only 83 Greyhounds being produced at the Thames Ditton works.

According to a letter dated 1978 from AC Cars Ltd., chassis BEF 2516, the 16th complete car chassis, left the factory on 5th January 1961, originally finished in Princess Blue with Red leather trim and overdrive, and sold to a Mr. B.Naylor of Dronfield in Derbyshire. The second owner was racer and engineer Mr. Ken Rudd, who through his business Ruddpseed was integral to the success of AC Cars, latterly becoming a legendary post-sale tuner of Austin Healeys, Volvos and Alfa Romeos, also undertaking RHD conversions of Ford Mustangs.

By the 1970s, and in new hands, the Greyhound was a regular on the concours circuit, winning various competitions across England from 1973 to 1981. In the extensive history file we find a large amount of receipts for various mechanical works completed, dating back to the 1970s, with a number of bills from the early 2000s. Notably the Greyhound benefited from an engine, carburettor and axle rebuild in 2007-8, in addition to numerous other works. Within the last 2,000 miles (in 2016) the AC was serviced by respected specialist Spencer Lane Jones, with new engine and differential oil, setting of valve clearances, new spark plugs, overhauling of the braking, setting up of the carburettors, flushing of the cooling system, and fitting of a new rear screen, supported by an invoice for £2704.55. In current ownership the Greyhound has been fitted with a replacement clutch and stainless steel exhaust system. The Greyhound has been enjoyed regularly by our vendors, who reports the car runs and drives well.

Today, the Greyhound remains in well preserved condition, with attractive British Racing Green paintwork and an original red leather interior. BEF 2516 is offered complete with a comprehensive history file, owner’s manual and lubrication charts, various service bills, also current and older registration documents. All in all we feel this is a sensibly estimated, handsome-looking and very usable classic AC with excellent history.