17th Nov, 2021 13:00

Imperial War Museum Duxford

 
  Lot 11
 

1955 AC Aceca

Sold for £48,938

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: UBP 650
Chassis No: AE528
MOT: None

  • Supplied new to K.N. Rudd Ltd and then registered to AC Cars Ltd
  • Off the road since at least 1978
  • Matching chassis and engine numbers
  • The subject of much past restoration work including a bodywork refurbishment
  • 1 of just 151 AC-engined cars made
  • A very worthwhile project

Introduced in 1954, the AC Aceca fastback was conceived as a more refined alternative to the company's seminal Ace roadster. Developed by Alan Turner and Desmond Stratton, the new model augmented its open-topped sibling's ladder-framed chassis with an elegant square-tube superstructure. Boasting a generous glasshouse, sensuous roofline and practical side-hinged rear hatchback, the Aceca's Grand Touring credentials were more than skin deep as proven by its all-round independent transverse-leaf suspension and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Initially powered by the John Weller designed 1991cc OHC straight-six which had been a staple part of AC production since 1919, the two-seater could later be had with a choice of Bristol 2-litre or Ford 2.6 litre engines (all three variants boasting a 100mph plus top speed). Handbuilt, just 328 Acecas were produced of which 151 were AC-engined.

According to its accompanying original buff logbook, chassis AE528 was initially road registered as ‘UBP 650’ on November 4th 1955 to K.N. Rudd Ltd; the company owned by renowned racing driver, tuner and AC concessionaire Ken Rudd. The second keeper is listed as A.C. Cars Ltd, while the first private individual to take possession was J. Orr Esq of Avon House, Keynsham on February 13th 1956. Thereafter, the Aceca passed to Aubin Long Esq, Jas Harrison & Sons Ltd, Geoffrey Hewitt Esq, Anthony Strange Esq, Wilfred Bell Esq and Raymond Harding Esq before being bought by William Charlton Esq in December 1967 who kept it for the next forty-nine years. Last taxed for road use during 1977, the two-seater was dismantled by Mr Charlton pending a restoration that has yet to be completed. Acquiring the project in 2016, the vendor had the chassis and bodywork professionally restored with the latter being finished in Grey Primer. Factory finished in Blue with matching Blue leather upholstery, the AC has also had its speedometer and rev counter refurbished plus numerous new parts bought for it. Sundry chromework has been replated and the four-speed manual gearbox not only rejuvenated but augmented by a Laycock de Normanville overdrive. The original AC 2-litre straight-six engine (number CL2206W) is present but in need of a complete overhaul. The fibreglass mouldings for the front footwells, gearbox cover and rear bulkhead appear basically sound and there are numerous hand drawn paper templates to help reconstruct the interior. An appropriate kit is among the spares should a new owner wish to convert the car to rack and pinion steering. The finned brake drums look to have been rejuvenated and a wiring loom should act as a guide when it comes to reinstating the electrics. The front windscreen and side windows are present as is the plexiglass rear windscreen. The radiator has been reconditioned and the original brass chassis plate retained. It is somewhat indistinct but we thought we could see the number ‘528’ stamped into a bonnet hinge which suggests the component itself is original. We are not aware of any major parts being missing. However, the AC is being sold strictly as seen and as such potential purchasers are urged to carry out their own inspections. Offered for sale with original buff logbook, continuation logbooks, V5C Registration Document and sundry paperwork.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737

 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 17th Nov, 2021

AUCTION VENUE
Imperial War Museum
Duxford
Cambridgeshire
CB22 4QR

About Imperial War Museum  

AUCTION VIEWING

Tuesday 16th November 2021 from 12pm to 6pm
Wednesday 17th November 2021 from 9am

BUYERS PREMIUM
12.5% (plus VAT @ 20%)

View E Catalogue

View all lots in this sale

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Turning the Page: A New Chapter for H&H Classics
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned
“The Rolls-Royce” of the motorcycle world, heads to      auction
Martini inspired Porsche 911 ‘RSR’ Tribute to head under the hammer
Rare ‘Car on Two Wheels’ heads to auction for the first time in 30 years
More than 100 classics sold in H&H’s 30th anniversary sale
Stunning classics worth more than £9 million offered in 30th anniversary auction
Rare Aston Martin DB1 heads to anniversary auction from long-term ownership
Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction
H&H Classics 30th Anniversary Auction
H&H unveils details of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Classic car owners handed ULEZ lifeline
H&H Classics auction Hurricane X-75 Prototype to National Motorcycle Museum
Vintage and modern classics lead the way at latest H&H sale
H&H offers exceptional range of vehicles spanning 11 individual decades
Pavilion Gardens. Wednesday 26th July 2023
A whimsical blast from the past: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang recreation heads to auction
From Italy with love: auction showcasing the essence of Italian design and sprezzatura
250 Motorcycles & Vintage Scooters Set To Go Under The Hammer!
March of the Mods: Lambretta owned by Paul Weller heads to auction
Lawbreakers to law enforcers: historic scooters with infamous connections up for sale
Jaguar SS100 among £2¼  million worth of classics sold at the Imperial War Museum
British classics to shine at H&H Classics’ sale
Historic Guinness Collection heads to auction
Browse The Catalogue Now! 135 Classic & Performance Cars To Go Under The Hammer.
Robbie Savage’s Ferrari F430 to be sold at H&H Classics
RAC Rally winning ‘Jaguar’ to be sold at auction
Former MP’s Bentley and Facel Vega ‘garage find’ among £1.3m worth of classics hammered away by H&H
Pavilion Gardens, Buxton Auction Preview Video
Genuine ‘matching numbers’ 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback among 89 strong classic car auction
Rare Facel Vega ‘garage find’ heads to auction
Indian 4 and Lambretta DL200
Golden opportunity to acquire famous limited edition Italjet scooter
H&H Classics commences landmark year with sale of 121 cars
‘Brand new’ Porsche 911 heading to auction after 21 years
Brooklands race winning Bentley to go under the hammer
Actor, Sir Michael Caine’s first car, heads to auction. £100,000 - £150,000
A Very Rare Survivor. A 1936 Indian Four. £50,000 - £60,000
A Car that will Unite Romantics and Cynics Alike. A 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Limousine