1959 AC Aceca Fastback Coupe

This Bristol-powered Aceca, with chassis number BEX 711, was AC's display vehicle at the 1959 New York International Automobile Show. At the show, it caught the eye of William Willock Jr., who purchased the car. This was one of eight examples delivered to the United States in 1959. The car was purchased for his son Norman, a recent university graduate. Norman enjoyed the car occasionally until moving to the Islands, with the Acceca placed into long-term storage at a family property in Maryland in the late 1960s.

Norman returned to the United States circa 1988 and settled in Tucson. His Aceca was removed from storage and delivered to him. During the late 1990s, the car was given a sympathetic restoration, which included rebuilding the Bristol engine, a bare-metal repaint in the original gunmetal gray, and re-trimming of the interior in red leather as original. The work was completed in 2001. In 2007, it was acquired by Norman's son.

Since new, the car has traveled fewer than 15,700 original miles. The 1971cc overhead valve inline 6-cylinder engine is fitted with triple Solex carburetors and offers 128 horsepower. There is a 4-speed manual gearbox with Girling disc brakes in the front and hydraulic drums in the rear.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014