Most of you might know AC for the Cobra, but long before the open-top Roadster became a household name in America, thanks to Caroll Shelby and the Ford small-block V8, AC Cars was building potent lightweight sports cars in the 1950s post-war Britain and the English company can actually trace its roots all the way to 1901, when the company was a pioneer in early commercial vehicles.
After the end of its partnership with Shelby, AC Cars fell into obscurity. But starting in 2020, AC Cars began a quiet revival, leading to the debut of a clean-sheet modern sports car lineup: Today, that legacy powers forward not as a tribute, but as a next chapter, because AC Cars is making a bold return stateside and back into the spotlight,
This August, the legendary British marque will serve as an official sponsor of the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which is one of the most prestigious events on the global automotive calendar, right up there with Villa d’Este and Goodwood.
Taking center stage will be the AC GT Roadster. Powered by a 5.0-liter V8 with 650 horsepower, this limited-run model is a modern interpretation inspired by the iconic AC Ace that formed the basis of the legendary Shelby Cobra. It is part of the new GT lineup, representing a new era of low-volume, high-craftsmanship performance cars tailored for a select few and will appear on the legendary Concept Lawn at The Lodge at Pebble Beach on Sunday, August 17, offering collectors and enthusiasts a first-hand look at a reborn classic.
While the proportions and basic silhouette of the GT Roadster exude ‘60s cool and appear to rock the unmistakable classic lines of the original, this is no replica. The car is a clean-sheet design, developed with cutting-edge materials, a modern drivetrain, and advanced vehicle control systems. It’s built to look the part and perform to 21st-century standards.
AC’s presence at Pebble Beach caps a weeklong immersion at Monterey Car Week. The GT Roadster will first appear at Motorlux on Wednesday, August 13, followed by Exotics on Broadway on Saturday, August 16. In between, AC Cars America will also host a series of private events for clients and collectors, offering an up-close experience and limited allocation slots for the sports car’s exclusive production run.
While all American operations, including sales, client services, and bespoke ownership experiences, are handled by the company’s U.S. HQ in West Palm Beach, Florida, the development and production of the cars will be carried out across AC Cars (England) Ltd’s facilities in Donington and southern England, with design support from partners in Germany. The occasion signals the AC Cars’ comeback in the U.S.
Source: AC Cars
