1958 AC Ace Bristol

Lot details
Registration No: YSU 362
Chassis No: BEX406
Mot Expiry: Feb 2010

Introduced in October 1953, the AC Ace was essentially a reworked version of 'LOY 500' the handsome John Tojeiro designed sports racer with which motor trader Cliff Davis had notched up six wins and four seconds that season (in addition to placing ninth overall at the Goodwood Nine-Hours). Lured into collaboration with the Thames Ditton manufacturer by the promise of a £5 per car royalty fee (capped at £500), Tojeiro ensured that the new model's ladder-framed tubular chassis enjoyed the same handling prowess as its competition forebear by equipping it with all-round independent transverse-leaf suspension. Styled after 'LOY 500' (itself modelled on the Carrozeria Touring clad Ferrari 166 MM Barchettas), the Ace was arguably even more handsome. Initially powered by AC's own 1991cc OHC engine, the availability from February 1956 onwards of another straight-six in the guise of Bristol's tuneable 1971cc unit gave the aluminium bodied sports car a welcome boost in both sales and performance. Upgraded with Girling front disc brakes in 1957, Ace-Bristols achieved considerable success at Le Mans (1957: 10th o/a & 2nd i/c, 1958: 8th o/a & 2nd i/c, 1959: 7th o/a & 1st i/c) as well as dominating the Sports Car Club of America's production championship for classes E (1957-1959), D (1960) and C (1961).

According to John McLellan and Tony Bancroft's authoritative tome `Ace Bristol Racing: A Competition History', this particular example - chassis number BEX 406 - was exported new to Canada. Although its early life is a mystery, an accompanying Province of Ontario Vehicle Permit shows that by the late 1980s the AC belonged to RM Classic Car Investments Inc of Chatham, Ontario. Purchased from them by specialist UK dealer Brian Classic, the two-seater underwent a professional conversion from left- to right-hand drive before entering the current ownership during July 1991. Sparingly used over the last eighteen years, the Ace Bristol is understood to have covered a mere 6,000 miles since being given a major engine overhaul by TT Workshops of Westbury in March / April 1992. As well as a reground / nitrided crankshaft and fresh liners / pistons / valves, the straight-six apparently benefited from a new timing chain, oil pump and camshaft bearings etc. While, other fettling has reportedly seen `YSU 362' treated to a thorough brake system refurbishment (new rear drums / front discs / hoses etc), replacement clutch master cylinder, oil filter conversion, new hood and fresh radial tyres. Largely standard save for some minor modifications to accommodate a taller driver (extended pedal box, rerouted throttle linkage / exhaust manifold), the AC is understood to pleasingly retain its original bodywork and Bristol 100D engine.

Finished in metallic blue with black leather upholstery, the Ace Bristol is variously described by the vendor as being in "excellent" (bodywork), "extensively overhauled" (engine, four-speed manual gearbox), "standard" (electrical equipment), "OK" (tonneau cover) or "very clean" (interior trim) condition. Though, he judges the paintwork to show "some minor blemishes" and rates the sidescreens as "untidy but serviceable". Starting readily upon inspection and drawing many an admiring glance when on display at the VSCC's recent Oulton Park meeting, this desirable AC is offered for sale with an overdrive adaptor casting (plus notes on installation), special cylinder head torquing spanner, Province of Ontario Vehicle Permit, copy AC Bristol instruction book, detachable pedal blocks, two used rear brake drums, TT Workshops Ltd invoices, assorted MOT certificates (dating back to 1990), sundry Brian Eacott spares bills, MOT certificate valid until February 2010 and historic class (free) road tax valid until March 2010.