Britain refused this car's own engine: British Leyland kept its E-series units, so AC fitted a Ford V6 instead.
Lead trim: 3000ME Ford Essex V6, 2,994 cc
AC 3000ME3000ME · 1979–1985
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a AC 3000ME yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactBritain refused this car's own engine: British Leyland kept its E-series units, so AC fitted a Ford V6 instead.
The AC 3000ME is a mid-engined two-door sports coupé originally sold by AC Cars, debuting at the 1973 London Motor Show but not on sale until 1979 (sales lasting until 1984). It grew from the Diablo prototype built by Bohanna Stables (Peter Bohanna and Robin Stables) and shown at the 1972 London Racing Car Show, which AC took over with engineers Alan Turner and Bill Wilson; because British Leyland needed all its E-series engines, a Ford V6 was chosen instead. AC's version was shown in 1973, styling was not finalised until 1974, a prototype failed the 30 mph crash test of the new 1976 Type Approval and needed a chassis redesign, and the car officially went on sale at the 1978 NEC Motor Show at £11,300, with first customer cars in 1979, by which time newer designs like the Lotus Esprit were on sale. Rights and tooling then passed to AC (Scotland) plc (1984-1985), which built 30 additional cars before receivership in June 1985. The engine is the 3.0-litre all-cast-iron OHV 60° Ford Essex V6 (2,994 cc, 8.9:1 compression) mounted transversely behind the seats and driving a 5-speed manual transaxle with an AC case and Hewland gears, in a perimeter frame with a folded-sheet-steel central tub and a glass-reinforced-plastic body, with 40/60 front/rear weight distribution. The page gives 138 bhp (102.9 kW) in the text but 142 PS (104 kW) at 5,000 rpm in the technical table, so power is left blank; torque is 192 lb-ft in both, and the table lists a maximum speed of 193 km/h (120 mph). Wheelbase 2,300 mm (90.6 in), length 3,988 mm (157.0 in), width 1,651 mm (65.0 in), height 1,143 mm (45.0 in), kerb weight 1,085 kg (2,392 lb).
Collectors Spotted in the AC 3000ME Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the AC 3000ME yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3000ME Ford Essex V6, 2,994 cc | 1979–1985 | 3.0 L V6 | 138 hp | 192 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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