Originally to be called the 'AC ME', standing for 'AC Mid-engined' this model name looked like 'Acme' meaning 'the highest point of achievement or development, and 'Acme' fitted in with the logic of 'Ace' and 'Aceca'. However, the car that became the AC 3000ME started life as the 'Diablo' which was exhibited as a project at the 1972 Racing Car Show. This concept was driven to AC's factory by their own Keith Judd who convinced Derek Hurlock that the project had legs. However, the concept's Austin Maxi 1500 engine was quickly replaced by Ford's Essex V6 3-litre engine, and as the AC 3000ME it was launched at Earls Court 1973, although it was years away from going into production. Vehicle Type Approval regulations came into force during development and the car had to be re-engineered to pass crash tests. The first saleable version was shown at the Birmingham NEC Motor Show in 1978, where many executive saloons were both cheaper and had more power. In 1984, after only 76 cars had been made, Hurlock sold AC Cars and AC (Scotland) took the production to Hillingdon (Glasgow) making just 30 cars before they went bankrupt.