1963 AC Ace Roadster

Just 37 examples of the Ace were built with power supplied by Ford of England's 2.6-liter (2,553 cubic centimeters) pushrod overhead-valve inline-six, as used in the Zodiacs and Zephyrs. Known as the 'Ruddspeed' option, they were adapted by Ken Rudd and used three Weber or SU carburetors and delivered upwards of 170 horsepower. These engines were more compact than the Bristol or AC sixes, and the lower engine height allowed AC's designers to redesign the body from the cowl forward with a lower bonnet line. They had a smaller grille which was later used, with minor changes, for Shelby's earliest leaf-spring Cobras.

This example is fitted with the Stage 4 Ruddspeed Ford Zephyr engine with a free-breathing Raymond Mays aluminum cylinder head and three SU HD6 carburetors. It produces 170 brake horsepower at 5,500 RPM and compliments the vehicle's lightweight construction, weighing over 400 pounds less than even the Cobra.

Additionally, this vehicle has a heater, Lucas headlights, a laminated wood-rim steering wheel, dual outside mirrors, and five silver painted wire wheels with 185 R15 Avon tires.

This vehicle has been restored and finished in red with black leather. It is number 30 of the 37 Aces built with the 2.6-liter Zephyr engine. It has a known history from new, and its most recent owner used it in the California Mille, Copperstate 1000, and Colorado Grand.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2021

The rarest of the three different engines in the AC Ace was the 2.6-liter Ford Zephyr introduced in 1961. This is the 30th of the 37 2.6s built and is one of only a handful in the United States. This car also has the benefit of the more powerful Ken Rudd 'Ruddspeed' Raymond Mays type cylinder head. Ken Rudd was an engine tuner and was also one of the AC works drivers at Le Mans in 1957 and 1959. Ruddspeed Ace's are highly desirable and are often referred to as a crossover car between the original AC Ace and the Shelby Cobra.