The AC Petite is a three-wheeled British microcar built by AC Cars between 1952 and 1957. It had a rear-mounted 350 cc Villiers single-cylinder two-stroke engine, a single bench seat for two adults, and was said to be capable of 40 mph and 60 to 70 miles per imperial gallon. Approximately 4,000 were built.
AC Petite at a glance
| Maker | AC Cars, Thames Ditton, Surrey |
|---|---|
| Production | 1952–1957 |
| Type | three-wheeled microcar |
| Engine | 350 cc Villiers single-cylinder two-stroke, rear-mounted |
| Seats | single bench seat for two adults |
| Top speed | about 40 mph (64 km/h) |
| Economy | 60–70 miles per imperial gallon |
| Mark I (1952–1955) | Villiers 27B engine; 18-inch rear and 8-inch front wheels |
| Mark II (1955) | Villiers 28B engine; 12-inch wheels front and rear |
| Built | about 4,000 |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only and the source is short, so the article is shorter than usual and its figures could not be checked against a second source.
History of the AC Petite
Design
The Petite was AC’s answer to the small economy cars of the early 1950s. It was a three-wheeler with the engine at the rear, a single bench seat for two adults, and a claimed top speed of 40 mph. Between 1952 and 1955 it used a Villiers 27B engine and two very different wheel sizes: 18-inch spoked wheels at the rear and only 8-inch wheels at the front.
Mark II
In 1955 AC launched the Mark II, with minor changes to the exterior trim, a slightly more powerful Villiers 28B engine and 12-inch wheels front and rear. Production continued until 1957, when approximately 4,000 Petites had been built.
Design and features
- Three wheels: a light microcar layout with a single front wheel and two at the rear.
- Villiers two-stroke: a simple 350 cc single-cylinder engine mounted at the back.
- Economy: AC claimed 60 to 70 miles per imperial gallon.
- Two seats: a single bench seat for two adults.
AC Petite versions
- Mark I (1952–1955): Villiers 27B engine, 18-inch rear wheels and 8-inch front wheel.
- Mark II (1955–1957): Villiers 28B engine, revised trim and 12-inch wheels all round.
The Petite was AC’s smallest model; the company’s larger six-cylinder cars included the AC 2-Litre and the Greyhound. More cars are in the AC collection.
Video: AC Petite engine wakes after decades.
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- AC Petite, English Wikipedia: design, engines, versions, production
