1949: ENV axle was gradually phased into general use. Rear track increased to 4ft 8in (from 4ft 7in) and axle ratio changed from 4.625:1 to 4.55:1. Side and tail lamps changed to the Lucas L488 style in the mid/late part of that year (around chassis EL1200).
1950: Tubular dampers replaced the Girling lever-arms from chassis EL1307 (many earlier cars then received this mod.). Rear side windows could be opened from chassis EL1318. Tyres changed from 5.50 x 17 to 6.70 x 16 (giving them about the same rolling radius) from chassis EL1403 (DH Coup cars had this change earlier). Bonnet vents increased from 2 to 3 on each half. In September, scuttle vents were introduced, just above the wings. DHC production (export only) ceased.
1951: Pistons changed from Specialoid to Wellworthy, indicated by a "W" suffix to engine numbers. Metalastic damper added to front end of crankshaft from engine UMB1802-W. Dials and switches changed from black to cream coloured. Prototype 4 door Saloon was built.
1952: Rear brakes changed to hydraulic from chassis EH1807 (the AC manuals state EH1806), indicated by the "EH" prefix. 4 Door Saloon and new type of DHC launched in October. The new Drop-Head had much larger window area, a fully fold away hood, and boot enlarged by omitting the usual fuel tank, and fitting two smaller tanks under the front wings. Both of these new cars had a revised design of quarter-light window with plated surround, and conventional catch/operation for opening the window. The DHC never went into production after the prototype was built.
The 4 Door Saloon started to appear late in 1952. About a dozen 2 door Saloons built during late 1952/early 1953 were not registered until about 1954/55, and so they still retain early features (such as vertically ribbed seats). Perhaps the 2 door model was hard to sell once the 4 door was available?
1953: More detail changes to passenger compartment fittings including a cheaper aluminium doorstep plate instead of the chrome-plated brass plate. Buckland ceased building their version of the 2 Litre, but AC constructed a small number with the same body style (both cut-away and straight topped doors) during the year, known as the 2 Litre Sports Tourer. 4 Door Saloons made up most of the rest of that year's production.
1954: Mostly 4 Door Saloons built that year.
1955: Later CL prefixed series of AC engines started to be fitted to the Saloons, from chassis EH2082. Fewer than 20 Saloons produced (2 and 4 Door). By this time, they were only built to special order, now that the factory was in full swing with Ace and Aceca sales.
1956: Production down to single figures for the year. Many of the final Saloons had lights, dials and other fittings from the Ace/Aceca.
1957: Just one Saloon registered at the start of the year - a 4 Door.
1958: Final two Saloons were completed, both 2 Door examples.
Production numbers
1296 chassis produced. Chassis numbers L800 to EH2095.
Approx. 1125 to 1130 2 Door Saloons (including 1 experimental over-slung chassis and 1 later converted to split-axle IFS).
Approx. 45 to 50 Four Door Saloons.
Approx, 15 Drop-Head Coup s.
Approx. 70 Bucklands.
Approx. 15 Two Litre Sports Tourers.
Approx. 20 chassis supplied to other companies.
1 prototype improved drop-head (1953).
1 experimental drop-head (prototype chassis), 1946.
Precise numbers of each body style are not clear, because records are sometimes conflicting (or conflict with surviving chassis).
Chassis prefixes/suffixes
"L" prefix denotes chassis with Moss rear axle (although some early chassis were later converted to ENV axle) and hydro-mechanical brakes.
"EL" prefix denotes chassis with ENV rear axle and hydro-mechanical brakes.
"EH" prefix denotes chassis with ENV rear axle and full hydraulic brakes.
"X" included in prefix (or suffix) indicates left-hand drive. Some early examples were converted to right-hand drive. Cobra articles usually claim that "X" simply means "export", but it was AC's standard practice for many years to use "X" for left-hand drive.