1955 AC Ace Roadster

This AC is noteworthy for being the first Ace to compete at Sebring, finishing 18th in the 1956 12 Hour race. It was dispatched from the AC works in September 1955 to American Joseph H. Dressel. This Ace was joined by two additional ACs on the entry list for the 1956 Sebring race, but this was the only car to qualify and compete. It wore race number 37 and was driven by Dressel and William Woodbury. At the end of the twelve hours, the car was ranked fourth in class and 18th overall.

Frank and Mary Morgan acquired the Ace in August 1958 for $2,795. Near the close of 1961, Morgan had removed its original engine, and preparation was made to have a 215 cubic-inch Buick V8 installed. The aluminum-block engine was paired with a GM-sourced four-speed transmission, and the engine was eventually modified with Iskenderian racing cams and topped with quad Weber 45 DCOE carburetors. A dual-circuit braking system was later designed and fabricated by Morgan and added to his Ace.

Dr. Morgan (now a dental surgeon) finished the modifications to his AC by 1966, which included flared rear wheel arches with wider rear tires. Its inaugural post-modified debut was at the Bridgehampton Race Circuit in New York where it wore number 56. When Dr. Morgan's work led him to California around 1968, the Ace was put into long-term storage.

The car remained with the Morgans for many years, and in 2006, had it fully restored to its circa-1966 specification. Classic Car Center of Fredericksburg, Virginia was commissioned to perform the work, and D&D Fabrications of Almont, Michigan was tasked with sourcing and building a new engine for the car. The comprehensive, no-expense-spared project was completed in 2009.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2022

Joseph 'Hap' Dressel of Arlington, VA, was the original importer of AC cars and was the first owner of this car.

It was purchased for racing and competed in the 1956 12-Hours of Sebring where it made a flawless run with Dressel's team finishing 4th in class and 18th overall. It was raced then with its original 4' wide tires and 6-cylinder AC engine. It also competed in other early SCCA races at tracks including VIR and Watkins Glen.

Frank Morgan was the second owner and purchased it in 1957 while on a honeymoon trip with his wife Mary. He used the car for both club racing and pleasure. In the mid-1960s he upgraded the engine with period modifications converting it to a Buick 215 aluminum V8. Morgan competed at Bridgehampton and in various SCCA races in the Ace in livery in which it is now shown.

The Ace spent over 40 years covered in a garage or stored.