Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
Though not the fire-belching machine conjured up by Carroll Shelby, there simply would be no Cobra if there was not the Ace first. Wedded to a Bristol-powered six-cylinder engine, it would be easy to surmise just what Shelby found.
The AC Ace would make its first appearance at the 1953 London Motor Show. To say there was a similarity with the barchettas leaving Maranello would be something of an understatement. However, in the years immediately following the Second World War, Britain would be a little behind the curve when it came to designing powerful engines for sportscars. The war effort had cost the country dearly. However, there were those in government and within the car industry that knew where to get some inspiration.
Dividing up the spoils of war, Britain would claim an important piece of technology. Though designed before the war, the BMW 328 engine was something of a marvel and it would serve as the foundation for Britain's post-war car market carrying the Bristol badge.
AC Cars would combine a small, lightweight body and chassis with the adept Bristol engine to produce the Ace. The result would be a sprightly car that was nimble and quick in a multitude of directions, and this would lead to a great deal of praise from many of the magazines and periodicals of the time.
Successful on the track, the Ace would certainly be a force with which to be reckoned. This success on the track would be a result of the Bristol engine being upgraded. The D2 would end up being the ultimate expression of the old BMW 328 engine. Bumping the power from a little more than 100hp up to 125hp the Ace now had power in hand to combine with its light and nimble chassis. Success on the track was nearly inevitable. It was just as inevitable the public would want to get their hands on the same kind of performance for the rolling and winding roads of England.
Chassis BEX 436 was offered by RM Auctions at Hershey in 2014, the 1958 AC Ace-Bristol would be one of the highlights before and during the auction. Pre-auction estimates ran between $200,000 and $300,000. However, when it was all said and done, the estimates would come up a little short as the final sale price would be $341,000.By Jeremy McMullen
The AC Ace would make its first appearance at the 1953 London Motor Show. To say there was a similarity with the barchettas leaving Maranello would be something of an understatement. However, in the years immediately following the Second World War, Britain would be a little behind the curve when it came to designing powerful engines for sportscars. The war effort had cost the country dearly. However, there were those in government and within the car industry that knew where to get some inspiration.
Dividing up the spoils of war, Britain would claim an important piece of technology. Though designed before the war, the BMW 328 engine was something of a marvel and it would serve as the foundation for Britain's post-war car market carrying the Bristol badge.
AC Cars would combine a small, lightweight body and chassis with the adept Bristol engine to produce the Ace. The result would be a sprightly car that was nimble and quick in a multitude of directions, and this would lead to a great deal of praise from many of the magazines and periodicals of the time.
Successful on the track, the Ace would certainly be a force with which to be reckoned. This success on the track would be a result of the Bristol engine being upgraded. The D2 would end up being the ultimate expression of the old BMW 328 engine. Bumping the power from a little more than 100hp up to 125hp the Ace now had power in hand to combine with its light and nimble chassis. Success on the track was nearly inevitable. It was just as inevitable the public would want to get their hands on the same kind of performance for the rolling and winding roads of England.
Chassis BEX 436 was offered by RM Auctions at Hershey in 2014, the 1958 AC Ace-Bristol would be one of the highlights before and during the auction. Pre-auction estimates ran between $200,000 and $300,000. However, when it was all said and done, the estimates would come up a little short as the final sale price would be $341,000.By Jeremy McMullen
2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $350,000-USD $450,000
Lot was not sold
2014 RM Auctions - Hershey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $225,000-USD $300,000
Sale Price :
USD $341,000
1958 AC Ace Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the AC Ace
(Data based on Model Year 1958 sales)
1958 AC Ace-Bristol Chassis#: BEX389 Sold for USD$252,000 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : The Passion for the Drive | |
1958 AC Ace-Bristol Chassis#: BEX 340 Sold for USD$280,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Gene Ponder Collection | |
1958 AC Ace Bristol Chassis#: BEX385 Sold for USD$263,200 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction | |
1958 AC ACE ROADSTER Chassis#: AEX221 Sold for USD$516,500 2022 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1958 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster Chassis#: BEX495 Sold for USD$311,136 2019 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1958 AC Ace Roadster Chassis#: AE 413 Sold for USD$284,727 2018 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting | |
1958 AC Ace Bristol Chassis#: BEX406 Sold for USD$330,532 2016 Silverstone Auction - Classic Sale | |
1958 AC Ace-Bristol Chassis#: BEX 436 Sold for USD$341,000 2014 RM Auctions - Hershey | |
1958 AC ACE ROADSTER Chassis#: AEX416 Sold for USD$250,666 2014 The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | |
1958 AC Ace Chassis#: AEX-456 Sold for USD$214,500 2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1958 AC Ace Bristol Roadster Sold for USD$181,500 2012 Worldwide Auctions - The Houston Classic Auction | |
1958 AC Ace Bristol Chassis#: BEX468 Sold for USD$258,500 2011 The Scottsdale Auction - Gooding & Company | |
1958 AC Ace Bristol Chassis#: BEX397 Sold for USD$110,000 2010 Russo and Steele - Monterey Auction | |
1958 AC Ace Bristol Roadster Sold for USD$192,500 2009 Sports & Classics of Monterey | |
1958 A.C. ACE ROADSTER Sold for USD$50,600 2004 Bonhams - MOTORCARS BROOKLINE | |
1958 AC Ace Bristol Roadster Sold for USD$82,500 2003 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | |
1958 AC Ace Roadster Sold for USD$47,700 2002 Michigan Fall Classic Car Auction - The Kughn Collection | |
1958 AC Ace Roadster Sold for USD$49,500 2002 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | |
1958 AC ROADSTER Sold for USD$69,300 2002 Barrett-Jackson - Petersen Museum 2002 |
AC Aces That Failed To Sell At Auction
1958 AC Ace's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1958 AC Ace-Bristol | BEX1019 | 2020 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | $350,000 | $380,000 | |
1958 AC Ace-Bristol | BEX436 | 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction | $350,000 | $450,000 | |
1958 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster | BEX1019 | 2019 Mecum : Monterey | $300,000 | $400,000 | $425,000 |
1958 AC Ace Bristol Roadster | BEX452 | 2019 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $280,000 | $340,000 | |
1958 AC Ace Bristol | BEX406 | 2015 Silverstone Auction Salon Prive Sale | |||
1958 AC Ace Bristol | BE 441 | 2011 Silverstone Classic Sale | |||
1958 AC ACE BRISTOL | BEX397 | 2011 Russo & Steele Scottsdale, Arizona |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $215,098 range.
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:194677s113796 Sold for $214,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1970 Jaguar XKSS Recreation by Lynx Chassis#:P2R13979 Sold for $215,600 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
2021 FORD SHELBY SUPER SNAKE WIDEBODY SPEEDSTER Chassis#:1FATP8FF9M5136452 Sold for $216,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1969 FORD F-100 CUSTOM PICKUP Chassis#:AZ389481 Sold for $216,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1979 FORD BRONCO CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:U15SLEF4550 Sold for $216,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:20867S111117 Sold for $214,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1955 CHEVROLET BEL AIR CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:VC55F169196 Sold for $214,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 327/365 BIG TANK COUPE Chassis#:40837S116133 Sold for $214,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 427/390 BIG TANK COUPE Chassis#:194376S110958 Sold for $214,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2023 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LEGENDARY EDITION CUSTOM PICKUP #001 Chassis#:3GCUDEEL5PG102051 Sold for $214,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2019 LAMBORGHINI URUS Chassis#:ZPBUA1ZL3KLA01753 Sold for $214,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1970 Plymouth Hemi Road Runner Chassis#:rm23r0a223874 Sold for $214,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1967 Shelby GT500E Chassis#:7t02s227953 Sold for $214,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible Chassis#:5762111755 Sold for $214,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1990 Land Rover Santana Chassis#:vselb1ml8az119946 Sold for $214,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1970 Plymouth Cuda Convertible Chassis#:bs27u0b266648 Sold for $214,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 Chassis#:2c3cdzl99ph101239 Sold for $214,500 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | |
2017 Peugeot 3008 DKR Chassis#:VF3MJAHXHGS238450 Sold for $213,981 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1954 Mercedes-Benz 220 Coupé Chassis#:187.012.4500304 Sold for $213,981 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria Chassis#:901637 Sold for $214,500 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey |