1955 AC Aceca Navigation


Fastback Coupe
Chassis #: AEX542
Sold for $132,000 at 2015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey.
Sold for $83,565 (€77,480) at 2024 Artcurial : Retromobile.
The AC Ace was introduced in 1953 at the London Motor Show and was followed by the AC Aceca in October of 1954. The AC Ace was a roadster while the AC Aceca was the coupe version which shared the John Tojeiro-designed tube frame covered with ash and aluminum fastback bodywork. It had Girling brakes with Alfin drums, knock-off wire wheels, and a four-speed gearbox. The enclosed bodywork added just 155 pounds over its Roadster counterpart. The base powerplant was a 2-liter overhead-cam six-cylinder unit that offered 90 horsepower. It had five main bearings, triple carburetors, and an 8:1 compression ratio. Zero-to-sixty was accomplished in just 13.4 seconds on its way to its top speed of just over 100 mph. In total, just 151 Acecas were built with the 2.0-liter engine.
After the Shelby Cobra was introduced in 1963, the Bristol engine was no longer available. The 260 cubic-inch lightweight Ford V8 offered an impressive 260 brake-horsepower, a zero-to-sixty time of just 5.2 seconds, and a top speed of 136 mph. The Aceca was ultimately discontinued at the end of 1963.
This particular Aceca is one of the rare, 151 examples powered by a 2-liter engine. The early history is not known; it did suffer a mild fender-bender in 1970. It was later dismantled and prepared for restoration. New front fenders were made for it by the AC factory in Thames Ditton and fitted in 1976 when the car was placed in storage. It remained in storage for a long time, only recently emerging from its dormant state.
It was given a restoration in Arizona in 2012 and finished in Sterling Metallic Gray with a black Connolly leather interior. The suspension and knock-off wire wheels were also restored.
This left-hand drive example has spent much of its life on the West Coast. The car is currently fitted with a 260 CID Ford OHV V8 engine with a Holley four-barrel carburetor and mated to a four-speed manual transmission.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2016
- 1955 AC Aceca Menu
- Article
- Image gallery
- Valuation
- Specifications
- Profiles
AC
Similarly Sized Vehicles
from 1955
Similarly Priced Vehicles
- Moretti 1200 ($4,500-$4,500)
Average Auction Sale: $111,512
1955 AC Aceca Vehicle Profiles
Recent Vehicle Additions
Performance and Specification Comparison
Price Comparison
$3,800
Aceca Specification Comparison by Year
Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
Related Automotive News

Gooding & Company Unveils Online Catalogue for Pebble Beach Auctions, Announces Additional Star Consignments
The catalogue features major new additions from the auction house, including a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione, a 1998 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR Strassenversion, a 1957 Maserati 200 SI, and a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT.
The...

Monarchs' Motor Cars Enjoy Success at Bonhams Zoute Sale 2020
A 1959 BMW 507, first owned by King Constantine II of Greece, was the top lot at the Bonhams Zoute Sale on Sunday 11 October 2020, selling for more than €2 million to a telephone bidder, earning applause from the saleroom.
Another regal ride, a 1955...

Rare And Exclusive Cars To Feature In Silverstone Classic Sale
1 of only 200 Renault 5 Turbo 2 Evolutions to be offered
Very rare Maserati Bora 4.7-litre coupe in right-hand drive
1 of 50 Series 3 commemorative Jaguar E-types and the first AC Aceca with a Bristol engine
Silverstone Auctions sale on the 26th...

A Brace Of Pre-War Aston Martins Lead The Charge For British Marques At Grand Palais Sale
Despite taking place across the channel, the Bonhams sale Les Grandes Marques au Grand Palais in Paris on 9th February will witness the sale of some of Britains finest motor cars. More than 30 vehicles from 7 of the most celebrated British marques will...

THREE TIMES FOUR: RM SOTHEBY'S BRINGS ASTON MARTIN TRINITY TO LONDON SALE WITH DB4GT, DB4 CONVERTIBLE AND DB4 SERIES II COUPÉ
RM Sothebys assembles holy trifecta of DB4s for its 10th anniversary London sale, 7 September at Battersea Evolution
Trio led by original one-of-75 DB4GT, immaculate concours-standard Series V Convertible, and desirable left-hand-drive Series...