1912 AC Sociable
No Reserve

Registration No: BF 5265
Frame No: 1122
MOT: Exempt

• From a large private collection of motorcycles
• No. 2002 on the Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club's Pioneer Register
• A past participant on the Pioneer Run and even European rallies

The AC Sociable was produced by Auto-Carriers Ltd. (later AC Cars) from 1908 to 1914. The first car produced by the Weller brothers of West Norwood was an expensive 20hp touring model, unveiled at the Crystal Palace in 1903, but their financial backer John Portwine deemed it too expensive, and instead they developed the Auto-Carrier delivery tricycle, which arrived in 1904.

Designed as a passenger-carrying adaptation of the Auto-Carrier, the Sociable featured a single-cylinder air-cooled engine, a two-speed epicyclic gearbox, chain drive to the rear wheel, and tiller steering. The Sociable name referred to its side-by-side seating, as opposed to the fore-and-aft seating arrangement of the Auto-Carrier Tricar and many other tricars of the period. The AC Sociable was one of the most luxurious tricars of the age, not only because of its pleasant seating arrangement but also because it had semi-enclosed bodywork, with the option of accessories including weather equipment and a horn. Its performance was highly respectable, too, as it gained recognition in sporting trials for light cars and cyclecars, and one was clocked doing 47mph at Brooklands! Writing in 1912, The Auto Motor Journal branded it “one of the most popular cyclecars on the road, both for pleasure and business.”

Issued with its present registration in 1967 but dated to 1912, this Sociable, complete with hood and horn, was purchased by the late owner for his large motorcycle collection. Acquired in 2014, it was enthusiastically campaigned on many events, including the famous Pioneer Run for pre-1915 motorcycles – it was even used for several European events. Evidently the recipient of an older restoration, it was started just a few weeks ago and it ran and drove well. It appears in really charming condition, with an attractive patina befitting its age. Complete with a current V5C and Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club Pioneer Certificate no. 2002, it would be wonderful to see this back out on the Pioneer Run and at other events.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217