A Brief History - The Real Car

The AC Aceca was produced between 1954-63 with 151 units built by the UK company AC Cars. It shared its 90 hp (67 kw), 1991 cc overhead camshaft engine with the lighter AC Ace.

Alongside this car a variation was produced with a bigger Bristol engine known as the Aceca Bristol of which 169 units were made. This was manufactured 2 years later in 1956 but production ended in 1964. Eight further units were built utilising the 2553 cc tuned Ford Zephyr engine from 1961-63, this was known as the Aceca 2.6.

The Aceca was a hand built grand tourer in the British tradition, with ash wood and steel tubing used in their construction. A particular note is the hatchback tail opening, which was only the second car after the Aston Martin DB2/4 to have this feature.

Once the car reached 75 mph it was difficult for driver and passenger to talk due to poor sound proofing. It also had a poor heating system not adequate for the winter days and nights.

A Real AC Aceca

Dinky Toys Launch 1958-63

Years after the launch of the original A.C.Aceca, Dinky launched their sports car. Initially launched in two colours red/grey and cream/brown with matching coloured wheels, these models changed in the early 60’s by altering the wheels to the silver spun type and introducing the shiny black gloss bases. M tyres were also added.

.....rare cream......
... and both Maroon and cream. Note the wheel variation

Then the harder colours became available; cream/maroon and then, the very difficult to find, all-over-cream which came with the very late matt black base.

Interestingly, the cream and maroon can be found with either the silver spun wheels or the silver cast wheels. This wheel variation can also be found in a similar way on the 182 Porsche 356A in red.

Boxes

There are several different boxes through this models history. Initially the standard yellow picture box which was then followed by the lighter yellow picture box with clear spots and finally, the red and yellow panel non picture box.

My Known Model List

The following listing of models as I know them:

  • Cream body with brown canopy & buff ridged wheels, standard 167 base plate with smooth tyres —– £125-£150
  • Grey body with red canopy & matching wheels, standard 167 base plate, with smooth tyres —– £125-£150
  • Cream body with brown canopy & buff ridged wheels, black gloss 167 base plate with M tyres —– £175-£225
  • Grey body with red canopy and matching ridged wheels, black gloss 167 base plate with M tyres —– £175-£225
  • Cream body with brown canopy & silver spun wheels, black gloss 167 base plate with M tyres —– £175-£225
  • Grey body with red canopy & silver spun wheels, black gloss 167 base plate with M tyres ————– £175-£225
  • Cream body with maroon canopy, silver painted cast wheels, black gloss 167 base plate with M tyres — £250-£300
  • Cream body with maroon canopy, silver spun wheels, matt black 167 base plate with M tyres ——— £250-£300
  • All over cream body, silver spun wheels, matt black 167 base plate with M tyres —————————– £600-£800

The above prices are my guide only for mint examples. Rarely does an all cream example show itself in mint, as with the maroon and cream examples. Quality control became weak at this time and models seemed to suffer with side box rubs. The last three colour examples will usually be found in either the lighter yellow picture box or plain panelled box.