1958 AC Aceca

Fastback Coupe
Chassis number: AEX672

This car left the factory on June 14th of 1958, and, along with several other AC cars, was shipped to BC Sports Cars in Alberta, Canada. The car spent its entire life in British Columbia until the current owner purchased it and brought it to the United States in 2007. Only 28 AC-engined Acecas were built in 1958, and only 151 for all years of production. Acecas are rarely seen in the United States. A sympathetic restoration was performed to retain originality where possible. The car has a bullet-proof AC engine, along with the Moss four-speed gearbox. The car retains its original dash wood, seat covers, radio, sun shades, steering wheel, seat belts, and five of the correct 56-spoke sixteen-inch wheels, among other items. Reflecting its Canadian heritage, the car is fitted with exceedingly rare electric carburetor warmers.

The British AC Cars Company was founded in 1904 as Autocarriers, Ltd. Their Aceca closed coupe model was produced from 1954 until 1963. Originally, they were fitted with an AC engine but the similar Bristol-engined Aceca-Brisol was also available alongside the original from 156 to 1963 when production of the AC engine ceased.

The Aceca was based on the open two-seat AC Ace. They were hand-built GT cars in the typical British tradition, with ash wood and steel tubing used in their construction. A notable feature was the hatchback at the rear, making the Aceca only the second car, after the 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4, to incorporate this element. Only 151 Acecas, 169 Aceca-Bristols, and 8 Ford-engined models were built when production halted in 1963. The Aceca engine was an overhead camshaft straight-6 displacing 1991cc and produced 90 horsepower.

The front-end styling of the Ace and Aceca reportedly traces back to a design done by Pinin Farina for AC in the late 1940s. The car has exceptionally lightweight owing to a tubular frame, aluminum engine block, and aluminum body panels. Large 16-inch spoked road wheels and almost perfect fore/aft weight distribution allowed exceptional handling on loose dirt tracks. It also features front-wheel disc brakes (added in 1957), transverse 'de Dion' leaf rear suspension, articulated rear half-axles, worm-gear steering, an optional overdrive, curved windshield, and leather-covered bucket seats. The suspension is independent at the front and rear using transverse leaf springs.

Fastback Coupe
Chassis number: AE650
Engine number: CL2350WT

Cliff Davis's Ferrari 166-inspired barchetta bodywork of his Tojeiro sports racer was successful enough to prompt AC Cars to put the design into production in 1954 as the Ace. The barchetta bodywork and John Tojeiro's twin-tube ladder frame chassis remained, as did the Cooper-influenced all-independent suspension. The engine, however, was AC's own 2-liter, long-stroke six. A hardtop version - the fastback-styled Aceca coupe - made its debut at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1954. This hand-formed body was made from aluminum over a tubular steel framework. All major components rested on rubber bushes to help reduce noise levels within the cabin.

Along with the Aston Martin DB2/4, the Aceca was one of the first hatchback designs.

During the car's production lifespan, very few alterations were made to the Aceca apart from a change of engines. In total, there were just 151 examples produced with the AC six.

This example is an original right-hand drive car that left the Thames Ditton factory on April 23rd of 1958 in Bright Blue with beige upholstery. It was originally registered as '10FPG' in the UK.

The car was set to auction in 1986 and subsequently advertised by classic car dealer Nigel Dawes later that year. The Aceca then made its way across the Atlantic and underwent a comprehensive rebuild in recent years for the Texas-based owner. The car is currently finished in red with tan upholstery with blue piping and matching blue carpets.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at the Bonhams Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $85,000 - $100,000. Bidding failed to satisfy the vehicle's reserve and it would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan