One of the rarest road-going ACs — a mid-engined British coupé with a transverse Ford Essex V6.
Conceived as the Bohanna-Stables Diablo prototype (shown at the 1973 Olympia Racing Car Show), acquired by AC chairman Derek Hurlock and shown as the ME3000 at the 1973 London Motor Show. Development delays — including a chassis redesign after failing the 30 mph crash test — pushed first deliveries to 1979, by which time the price had risen from the projected £3,000–£4,000 to £11,300.
Mid-mounted transverse 2,994 cc Ford Essex V6, 138 bhp at 5,000 rpm, 192 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm, driving a five-speed Hewland-engineered gearbox; fibreglass body on a folded sheet-steel chassis; double-wishbone independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes; 1,085 kg; 0–60 mph approximately 8.5 s; top speed approximately 120 mph; 40/60 front/rear weight distribution. A turbocharged variant (approximately 200 bhp) was offered — 17 turbocharged cars built at Thames Ditton.
After fewer than 80 cars Hurlock halted production in 1984 and licensed the car and AC name to AC (Scotland) plc in Hillington, Glasgow, which added approximately 30 further cars before ceasing in 1985. Published sources vary on the total: approximately 100–106 across both locations, of which approximately 70–76 were built at Thames Ditton.
Approximately 100–106 cars total makes this one of the rarest road-going ACs, with rising recognition as an ambitious British mid-engine car.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3000ME (Thames Ditton) | 1979–1984 | ~70–76 | 2,994 cc Ford Essex V6, 138 bhp, transverse mid-engine, 5-speed Hewland gearbox, fibreglass body, 1,085 kg. |
| 3000ME Turbo | 1981–1984 | 17 | Turbocharged Ford Essex V6, approximately 200 bhp; built within the Thames Ditton total. |
| 3000ME (AC Scotland) | 1984–1985 | ~30 | Continuation production at Hillington, Glasgow under AC (Scotland) plc; mechanically identical. |
Authenticate stamped chassis and engine numbers against factory or club records. For the 3000ME specifically, confirm Thames Ditton or AC Scotland provenance against chassis records, verify the transverse Ford Essex V6 and Hewland gearbox on any car offered, and distinguish standard cars from the 17 turbocharged Thames Ditton examples.
Confirm body originality, panel identity and restoration standard against a marque specialist.
Confirm continuous service history and any rebuild history for the engine, transmission and driveline against a marque specialist.
Restoration standard, originality of body and driveline, and any documented ownership record are the main value drivers.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-12-15 | Cars and Bids Cars and Bids — Online | 1985 AC 3000ME — believed the only example in the United States at the time of sale; approximately 100,000 miles; extensively rebuilt prior to US import in 2011. | ~100,000 mi | $25,000 Sold |
Approximately 100–106 cars total makes this one of the rarest road-going ACs; rising recognition as an ambitious British mid-engine car.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
