How a trend was anticipated with the AC-Buick Aceca
08/09/2012
In the 1970s to 1990s, the Rover V8 engine was one of the most popular power units for British small-series sports car manufacturers such as Morgan and TVR. But much earlier, in 1962, Rip Carter in California installed the same enginein a British sports car body from AC. Only that the engine was still running under the Buick brand back then. It was only later that Buick sold the engine to Rover and probably had no idea that this V8 was destined for a very long life.
In the AC Aceca, the Buick V8 made a very good trap, although it was certainly slowed down somewhat by the two-speed automatic transmission fitted. Nevertheless, the lightweight English sports car sprinted from 0 to 96 km/h (60 miles per hour) in 7.7 seconds and reached an impressive 115 miles per hour (185 km/h). The weight was even reduced by the installation, as the Buick light-alloy engine weighed less than the standard six-cylinder engine. According to the description in Road&Track 3/1962, the installation was relatively simple, only the cooling fan no longer fitted into the engine compartment.
Entitled "An unlikely, but impressive combination", the report summarized: "As it stands, the AC-Buick embodies everything you want: speed, handling, brakes and reliability - and even comfort."
