1960 AC Aceca

AC Cars was one of Britain's first automobile manufacturers, with production beginning in 1901. Over the years that followed, the company would establish a successful competition pedigree and become renowned for performance.

When World War II came to a close and peacetime resumed, AC worked to replace the Weller-designed, overhead cam, six-cylinder, two-liter 85 horsepower engine, which had first seen use in 1919. Working with a chassis engineer and racing car designer named John Tojeiro, the company acquired his design that had been used for Cliff Davis' sports racer. After modifications were made to make it more suitable for road use, the new model was introduced as the Ace. It had a 75-mm tubular ladder frame chassis with an independent suspension using transverse leaf springs and wishbones, powered by AC's venerable, 2.0-liter, long-stroke six-cylinder engine. The elegant aluminum coachwork had a familiar appearance to Ferrari's 166 Barchetta, complemented by modern touches, refinement, and sophistication.

The roadster was followed by the closed variant dubbed the Aceca, introduced in 1954 at the London Motor Show. The hand-built coupe bodywork included a bulkhead of sound-absorbing fiberglass between the engine and the passenger compartment. The chassis-mounted rear differential with rubber bushings reduced noise and vibration. These refinements made the Grand Turismo suitable for spirited cruising over long distances.

Total production of the first-edition Acecas reached 151 examples, powered by the original AC 2-liter engines and denoted by the 'AE' chassis number prefix.

A new model was made available beginning in 1956 known as the Aceca-Bristol. It was equipped with a 1,971 cubic centimeter, six-cylinder Bristol engine that was based on the pre-war BMW 328 unit that had hemispherical combustion chambers and an inclined valve train. In competition, it dominated the SCCA E- and D-Production classes between 1957 and 1961. In 1958 and 1959, it won its class at Sebring and earned a class victory at LeMans in 1959.

by Dan Vaughan

Fastback Coupe
Chassis number: BE 772

AC introduced the Aceca at the 1954 London Motor Show. The Aceca was a closed variant of their popular AC Roadster, but it had a greater degree of refinement and sophistication. Inside, the passenger comfort was greatly improved. Mechanically, the chassis-mounted rear differential utilized rubber bushings, reducing vibration, noise, and harshness transferred from the road to the car's interior. Between the engine and the passenger compartment was a bulkhead of sound-absorbing fiberglass. The body was hand-built, lightweight aluminum bodywork.

Power was from a six-cylinder engine. Beginning in 1956, the Ace and Aceca were offered with the 1971cc, six-cylinder Bristol engine as an option. This derivation of BMW's pre-war 328 engine featured hemispherical combustion chambers and an inclined valvetrain.

In competition, the cars dominated the SCCA E- and D-Production classes between 1957 and 1961, it won its class at Sebring in 1958 and 1959, and it captured its class at Le Mans in 1959.

This particular example was restored in 2000 and finished in Blue livery, with grey leather interior and blackwall-shod chrome wire wheels. It has its original Bristol D2 engine, with nearly 120 horsepower, in the original chassis. There is a four-speed manual transmission, hydraulic front discs, and rear drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Fastback Coupe
Chassis number: AEX 756

AC Cars was one of the first British automobile manufacturers, with production dating back to 1901. Over the years, they established a successful competition record and emerged intact in the post-war era to produce one of the most significant sports cars in history. That car was the open two-seater sports car, the AC Ace, wearing a design by John Tojiero. Production began in 1953 and was powered by a two-liter engine fitted inside the tube frame chassis, also of Tojiero's design. At the 1954 London Motor Show, AC introduced a second model, the AC Aceca. This was a coupe variant of the Ace roadster, but with more luxury features and greater refinement. The Aceca had a chassis that was similar to Ace's tube frame and independent suspension, with heavier-duty main rails and an extra cross member. The chassis received rubber mountings on the differential to reduce noise and vibration within the closed cabin. Between the front and rear bulkheads of the cabin were fiberglass panels, which added additional sound insulation. Inside, there was leather, wood, and wool carpeting.

In 1956, a Bristol 1971 cubic centimeter inline six became available as optional equipment. The Bristol engine brought horsepower from 90 to 105 (or 125 in D2 tune). In both coupe and roadster form, the cars were successful in racing with class victories at Sebring in 1958 and 1959, as well as a class victory at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1959.

This particular AC Aceca was completed at Thames Ditton on January 4th of 1960. It was sold new as a left-hand-drive example to North America. Under its bonnet was an AC two-liter engine. Under the previous owner's care, it was given the 1971-cubic centimeter Bristol engine and gearbox.

The current owner acquired the car in 2010. A comprehensive restoration was recently finished and finished in an original AC shade of slate blue. The interior is trimmed in black leather with grey carpeting.

by Dan Vaughan

Fastback Coupe
Chassis number: BE771
Engine number: 984D2

The AC Ace was the first British post-war production car to be given an all-independent suspension. They wore a design in a similar fashion to the Ferrari 166 Barchettas, as both designs were taken from a 166-inspired racecar built by John Tojiero for British race driver Cliff Davis. Tojiero also designed the Ace frame and fitted the Cooper-influenced all-independent suspension. Under the bonnet was AC's venerable 1,991cc long-stroke inline-6.

In 1954, a coupe version of the Ace was introduced. The hatchback body was hand-formed from aluminum over a more substantial frame with major components mounted on rubber bushings.

Also in 1954, AC began offering the Bristol inline-6, a more potent pushrod OHV engine available in both 105 and 120 HP tune.

This particular Bristol-powered Aceca coupe was given a restoration in the late 1980s by Spencer Lane-Jones. It was given a period-correct replacement Bristol engine and the car was converted to left-hand drive at that time. It is finished in Rouge Irise with original Tan leather seats. It has new wood dash trim and re-plated brightwork.

by Dan Vaughan

Fastback Coupe
Chassis number: AEX732
Engine number: CLB2415

This AC Aceca was completed on July 14th of 1959 and was delivered to the United States through Hap Dressel's AC Imports Inc. of Arlington, Virginia, and first sold to Walter C. White. By the 1980s, the car was with Bob Borcherdt of Boulder City, Nevada who used it sparingly. The current owner acquired it in 2018 and it has since received over $10,000 in tune-up and service. Additionally, it received a complete overhaul of the brake, cooling, and fuel systems, and the wire wheels received new Michelin tires.

This Ac Aceca is finished in red over a black leather interior. The 1,991cc SOHC inline 6-cylinder engine has three SU carburetors and delivers 90 horsepower at 4,500 RPM. There is a four-speed manual transmission and hydraulic drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan