Adam Cleden
Registration: BGC 424 G
Manufacturer: Hawk Ace
Engine: Triumph
Rear Axle: MG
Location: Chessington, Surrey, England
Status: Finished
Hawk 1.8 Ace
- article from August 2000 edition of Classic & Sports Car magazine
Cobra clones are, in the main, the automotive equivalent of shellsuits. Not that they're necessarily badly made, just
that nearly all appear as if they've ramraided Halfords - all lettered tyres and tacky magnolia hide, driven by 50-somethings
with ponytails and 'taches. Most Cobra constructors seem to believe it ain't done 'til it's overdone and news that that great
bastion of good taste Excalibur has recently entered the reptilian replica arena confirms our worst suspicions.
But for the more discerning AC man, there's always the delightful Hawk 1.8 Ace from Hawkridge Cars. Famed for its Stratos
lookalikes, the Surrey outfit keeps a low profile, letting its replicas effectively sell themselves.
'I keep a wad of brochures in the boot,' says Adam Cleden, owner of this delicious Ford blue example, 'as every time I stop
anywhere, I'm swamped by people wanting to know more about the car.'
But he's not really a replicas man. With a background in classic car restoration, Adam hankered after a Rover P5B but a
chance visit to the '96 Sandown Kit Car Show changed all that. Four years and close on 16 grand later (the build took 18
months), his car's on the road but is he happy with his creation? 'Absolutely yes. I've wanted an Ace for as long as I can
remember and, though this isn't one, it's as close as I'm ever likely to get.' Adam has resisted fitting AC badges: 'It's a
Hawk and I'm proud of that. I'm not interested in passing it off as anything other than a replica as most onlookers seem to
appreciate it for what it is.'
Portcullis grille beautifully recreated
Outwardly Adam's car is a dead ringer for the real deal, the portcullis grille and delicate chrome jewellery beautifully
recreated. If anything, the nose sits a little too low but the rear springs have yet to bed in which could explain the stance.
Criticising this car swiftly deteriorates to the level of nit-picking as it's a corker. Once aboard, there's an aura of
quality, the torso-gripping buckets setting the tone. Adam ensured the trimmer reflected the twin-arch effect of the
original's leather and carpet on the rear bulkhead, while on the dash he made a period-style ignition switch - even printing
new wording around it. Then there's the indicator stalk. Wanting a column arrangement rather than the kit's dash-mounted
switch and working from photos of an original, Adam sketched the shape on to a suitable chunk of aluminium before cutting and
filing it by hand.
Hawk's snug cockpit
On MGB running gear with 2.5-litre Triumph straight-six engine and 'box, the Hawk drives much like the original, the sonorous
backbeat an antidote to modern tweaky 'fours'. There's oodles of low-down pull, the gearchange responding to tactility,
shifting more smoothly than it did in the donor saloon. It will cruise happily at 70mph with the bonus of overdrive on third
and fourth.
Triumph's straight-six makes right noises
The Hawk tackles corners with vigour, initial understeer shifting to benign neutrality mid-bend although the MG rack isn't
overly communicative at high speed. Try a little harder and you can feel the back end gently start to slide but it's
beautifully controllable, flattering the driver's efforts. That an uninspiring assortment of components can be used to such
great effect is a tribute to its designer, Gerry Hawkridge. And to its discriminating builder.
Factfile
Engine front-mounted 2498cc ohv straight-six (BMW 'six' and Ford Zephyr 2.6 optional)
Max power 106bhp @ 4700rpm
Transmission manual four-speed 'box
Construction/chassis ladder frame of square and round tubes, glassfibre body
Suspension front: MGB wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers, optional tubular wishbones;
rear: MGB live axle located by semi-elliptic leaf springs
Brakes discs front, drums rear
Steering rack and pinion
Top speed 120mph
O-60mph 8.0 secs (est)
Price £15,000+
The real thing £35,000
Hawk Cars; tel: +44 1892 750282 or 750341
This car is now for sale. If interested, please contact Gerry Hawkridge at Hawk Cars.
