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One of the many stars of the 1959 London Motor Show was found on Stand 145. Here was a coupe primed to compete with the Aston Martin DB4 and the Jensen 541R, one built by ‘dedicated craftsmen who jealously guard the hand-made reputation that has made AC the choice of the discerning motorist during the past 50 years’. However, as the price was £2,891, only the select few should call EMBerbrook 5621 to arrange a test drive after the show.

Such distinguished customers had an eventual choice of four engines; AC’s 1,991cc plant, the 1,971cc or 2,216cc Bristol units and the 2.5-litre Ford Zephyr motor. The Greyhound employed the ladder chassis of Aceca combined with all-independent suspension, rack & pinion steering. AC’s chief engineer Alan Turner created the bodywork, and Martin Buckley wrote in Classic and Sports Car that it is ‘a car you have to see from the right angle to “get”. Indeed, few photographs convey the Greyhound’s distinctive charm.

Paint finishes were to the customer’s choice, and the factory would also set the front seats height to suit his/her needs. Naturally, the cabin boasted only the finest hide, and the specification also included adjustable steering, reclining front backrests, auxiliary lamps and complete instrumentation.AC claimed the coupe body was a four-seater - a total exaggeration unless the occupants on the rear bench were Ronnie Corbett or Charlie Drake.

The company’s publicity stated the typical owner also smoked a Dunhill pipe, fished with a Hardy rod and shot with a Purdey. In other words, spivs, counter-jumpers and other plebs need not apply, as this car was for the chap or chapess who demanded only the best. Anyone who pointed out that AC sourced the Greyhound’s tail lamps from the Wolseley 1500 would probably have been expelled from the showroom.

Full production commenced in 1960, and in the following year, Autocar tested the AC-engine Greyhound. They found it ‘a versatile motor car that will please the enthusiast who has family responsibilities and or who likes to take friends along with him’. It also appealed to well-bred secret agents; in 1962, John Steed drove a Greyhound in The Avengers’ second series episode The Sell Out.

AC made the last of 84 units in 1963, partially because they needed the factory space for the Cobra. Plans for a flat-six or a Daimler 2.5-litre V8 version came to nothing, and for many years the coupe seemed underrated by the classic car world. Mr. Buckley had the impression the firm ‘didn’t know if they wanted a sports car or a saloon – so elected to give the Greyhound too many of the worst features of both’.

Today, the Greyhound is widely appreciated, for it was AC’s last “gentleman’s tourer”. As the 1959 advertisement put it, here was a motor-car ‘to answer the request of motoring connoisseurs’. Absolutely.

Why choose Lancaster Insurance?

Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.

We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the country and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.

Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:

• Historic rally cover
• Static show cover
• Limited mileage discounts
• Choice of repairer
• 24-hour claims helpline

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