Potential energy curves for different states of the molecule ArC+ have been determined by experimental and theoretical methods. Elastic scattering cross sections obtained from the scattering of C+(2P) and C+(4P) on Ar were used to determine the bound ground state X 2Π with the use of an inversion method, and to discuss qualitatively higher excited states. CI calculations performed for several doublet and quartet states dissociating into C+(2P)+Ar(1S), C+(4P)+Ar(1S), and C(3P) +Ar+(2P) are in good agreement with the experimental findings. The nature of the bonding is discussed and spectroscopic constants for the bound potential curves are given.