1935 AC 16/66 4-Seater Sports Tourer          Registration...

Estimate

£50,000 - £65,000

1935 AC 16/66 4-Seater Sports Tourer         

Registration Number: DPD 39
Chassis Number: L353
Recorded Mileage: 2,419 miles 

- Veteran of the 1936 Lands End Trial and J.C.C. rally at Brooklands
- Post-war competition at Brands Hatch
Subject of £40k+ restoration in the early 2000s

Although founded on the basis of a mundane three-wheeled delivery vehicle, the Auto-Carrier name was later abbreviated to AC by the time of launch of the first four-cylinder in 1913. AC's famous overhead-camshaft six entered production in 1922, by which time the firm has been taken over by Mr. S. F. Edge. A prominent Edwardian racer driver, Edge passionately believed in the publicity value of competition successes, as such in the same year an AC became the first 1,500cc car to cover the mile at over 100mph, and in 1926 a 2-litre model became the first British car to win the Monte Carlo Rally.

AC was taken once more by the Hurlock brothers in 1930, concentrating on sporting cars aimed at the discerning enthusiast. The marque's reputation for producing well engineered and equally well finished cars continued under the Hurlocks' ownership, enabling AC to prosper despite the higher asking prices that these exemplary standards necessitated. An improved, under-slung chassis was adopted for AC's 1934 range. The six cylinder engine was to serve the company well into the 1960s. 

The 16/66 was an elegant, light, agile and strong performing sporting tourer, with a relatively low centre of gravity and a highly regarded two-litre aluminium OHC engine. Mechanically sophisticated, with good road holding and excellent braking, the 16/66 is an outstanding pre-war drivers car. With just 70 chassis completed, the 66 hp (16/66) models are thought to be the rarest of the series.

First registered in November 1935 to Major Kenneth de Jong, and one of just 46 such examples, this handsome 4-Seater Sports Tourer was originally specified in Metallic Grey with Blue trim. DPD 39 was swiftly prepared for competition, entering the Junior Car Club Rally at Brooklands in February 1936, followed by the Lands End Trial over Easter that year. A framed excerpt from the January 29th 1937 issue of The Autocar depicts DPD, four-up, taking on Darracott Hill, on the way to a bronze medal finish in the event.

Major de Jong is thought to have kept the AC for two years before trading into a new model, and so the AC changed hands for the first time. By the 1950s the AC was in the possession of enthusiast Philip Blunt, who pressed the AC back into competition, entering the Brands Hatch Spirit Handicap of 1958 (and coming first!). Mr. Blunt kept his AC for in the region of 20 years before ownership passed to engineer Michael Collins of Newbury, who himself cared for the car for a further 20 or so years.

In 1998 DPD 39 was acquired by Michael Hurdle of Stafford, who shortly after entrusted specialist Wildae Restorations to bring the car to the condition you see here. Invoices for over £40,000 support the mechanical, body, paint and trim works undertaken, Mr. Hurdle enjoying the AC for a number of years before selling to our vendor in 2019.

Now part of a discerning 6-cylinder AC collection, the 16/66 has been driven lightly and carefully stored when not in use. DPD 39 is offered with a history file, current and previous V5C, copy of older buff logbook, the aforementioned period advertisement from The Autocar, and a number of older MOT certificates. Having covered only nominal mileage in recent years, the owner has decided it is now time for the AC to be passed to a new enthusiast.

A supremely stylish example, this wonderful sporting tourer offers the perfect partner for classic rallies and longer distance tours.