1958 AC Ace Roadster

Cliff Davis's success with the Tojeiro sports racer prompted AC Cars to put the design into production in 1954 as the Ace. Davis's car wore Ferrari 166-inspired barchetta bodywork, which the Ace emulated, as was John Tojeiro's twin-tube ladder frame chassis and Cooper-influenced all-independent suspension. The powerplant, however, remained AC's own 2.0-liter, long-stroke six with overhead camshafts.

A fastback-styled hardtop version was added in 1955 called the Aceca and both models were available from 1956 with the uprated Bristol six-cylinder engine. The Bristol six displaced 1,971cc and was based on the pre-war BMW 328 engine design, with cylinder heads designed by Rudolf Schleicher, incorporating hemispherical combustion chambers and inclined valves without recourse to overhead, or twin, camshafts. It used the single block-mounted camshaft and pushrod valve actuation of the BMW Type 319, along with two rocker shafts with one positioned above each bank of valves. While the BMW engines used Solex carburetors, the Bristol engines were fitted with SU carburetors part-way through production.

With the Bristol engine installed, the Ace could reach speeds of 120 mph. Many were raced in period with perhaps its finest achievement being a first-in-class and seventh-overall finish at Le Mans in 1959.

223 examples of the AC Ace were fitted with the 2.0-liter AC engine, 463 were Bristol-engined cars, and 37 received Ford power. The 2.6-liter overhead-valve Ford Zephyr engine became available near the close of production.

This 1958 AC Ace-Bristol is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-6-cylinder engine. This is a two-owner car with less than 20,000 miles of use. In 2017 it was given a comprehensive restoration by Vintage Auto Restoration and Repair in Roanoke, Virginia. This AC is equipped with a close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive, triple Solex downdraft carburetors, and front disc and rear drum brakes. The exterior is finished in Princess Blue Metallic with Dark Blue British leather upholstery, it features Smiths' instruments, a Moto-Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel, and chrome wire-spoke wheels.

This AC has a convertible top, an original toolkit, an original Le Mans racing radiator cowling, and roll bar, top bows, a tonneau cover, side curtains with a storage bag, and two sets of keys.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2019