AC Cars Return To Thames Ditton...For One Weekend Only

ACOC National Weekend - 20th/21st August 2011

NEWS RELEASE

This year marks the 100th anniversary of AC Cars moving to Thames Ditton, the 90th anniversary of the John Weller designed AC Sprint Car and the 50th anniversary of the AC Ace 2.6. To mark the amazing achievements of the company and its HQ and main production being based in the Ferry Works from 1911 to 1929, the ACOC (AC Owners' Club) has chosen to hold the 2011 National Weekend in Thames Ditton.

The gist of the story is:
* 2011 is the 100th anniversary of AC Cars moving to Thames Ditton.
* The 90th anniversary of the John Weller designed Sprint Car.
* The 50th anniversary of the 2.6 Ace.
* A plaque will be unveiled at Thames Ditton to commemorate the Ferry Works being the HQ and main production site for AC Cars from 1911 to 1929.
* It will be the first time so many AC cars will be in Thames Ditton for many years.
* It is the first time the club has been given access to the Ferry Works.
High quality "then and now" photographs of the Ferry Works factory and Giggs Hill Green are available. Please let me know if you would like to use them and I will email a separate file to you.

Below is additional information about the event:

A number of Thames Ditton ACs will be on display at the Ferry Works during the weekend and the main meeting and Concours will be held at Giggs Hill Green, which AC Cars used for decades as the setting for the majority of their advertising and marketing photo-shoots.

During the weekend the club will unveil a commemorative plaque at the Ferry Works (a photo of the plaque is available on request). Descendants of the owners of the company have been invited to Thames Ditton to unveil the plaque on Sunday 21st, at about 2:30 pm.

The plaque, sponsored by the AC Owners' Club, records major early achievements for AC Cars:
* 1919 - The world's first "Light-Six" car.
* 1922 - The world's first under 1500cc car to cover 100 miles in one hour.
* 1925 - World 24 hour and 2000 mile speed records.
* 1926 - First British car to win the Monte-Carlo Rally.
During the weekend, 6 Vintage ACs will be on display at the Ferry Works. This will include examples of an Auto-Carrier, a Sociable, a 12/40 Sports, an Empire, a 6-Cyl and a Sprint Car - in all, an excellent cross-section of the ACs made in the Works.

We have received a great deal of support and encouragement from the local Council (Elmbridge), The Esher District Local History Society, the people of Thames Ditton and, particularly, the current occupants of the Ferry Works who have been most helpful; even the local vicar blessed our cars the last time the club visited the village.

Indeed, NCMT, one of the companies presently occupying the Ferry Works, has most generously offered to host ACOC Members and their guests over the weekend, including holding a reception and dinner in their Works on Saturday, and granting general access for ACOC members and guests on Sunday to view the factory and the display of vintage ACs.

It is expected to be a very special weekend for all AC supporters, owners and enthusiasts and we look forward to as many members as possible attending with their cars.