Lot details
Registration No: 889 YUA
Chassis No: BEX168
Mot Expiry: Sept 2012

Introduced in October 1953, the AC Ace was essentially a reworked version of 'LOY 500' the striking 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 Carrozzeria 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 optional 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). Phased out during 1962, just 466 AC Ace Bristols are thought to have left the Thames Ditton factory.

Dispatched by the Works on 11th June 1956, this particular left-hand drive example - chassis number BEX168 - was supplied new to Swiss garage proprietor (and future AC importer), Hubert Patthey. An accomplished racing driver and co-founder of Ecurie des Trois Chevrons, Patthey promptly entered the Ace Bristol for the Grand Prix Suisse de la Montagne Ollon-Villars Course International de Cote on 25th-26th August 1956. His best ascent of the famous hillclimb course, 5'44", was not only good enough to take Group IV (1601-2000cc) honours ahead of Franco Franzi's Fiat 8V but also eclipsed the time posted by the victorious Ferrari 212 in Group V (2001-2600cc) and was only two seconds off the pace of Group VI (over 2600cc) winner Albert Scherrer whose Mercedes-Benz 300SL enjoyed a considerable horsepower advantage.

A transfer of title from Garage Patthey et Fils to Ecurie des Trois Chevrons (both registered at the same address) on 1st October 1956 signalled that the AC's competition career was set to continue. Reportedly campaigned by Patthey through 1957, its run of success continued with new company owner Bianchi & Pecorini of Chene-Bourg over the subsequent two seasons (1958: Landeron-Lignieres 4th, Ollon-Villars 1st-in-class, La Faucille 1st / 1959: Rallye de la Lavande Retired, Eaumorte 1st, Mt. Ventoux 2nd, Lens-Crans 2nd, St Ursanne-Les Rangiers 1st). Acquired by a twenty-year old Michel Renaud in May 1964, chassis BEX168 found itself doing battle with various Porsche 904s for class honours the following year and forced to run as a prototype during 1966 because the Ace Bristol's production run was too small for it to be classified as a GT. Studiously avoiding the wooden spoon, the AC recorded a string of respectable results (1965: Course de cote de Verbois Ge 3rd, Slalom de Payerne 4th, Rochefort-La Tourne 5th, Ollon-Villars 5'34"1 8th, Mitzholz-Kandersteg 2'00"6secs, Marchairuz 3'10"0 / 1966: Fontaines-Villars-Burquin 1'27"2, St Ursanne-Les Rangiers 2'56"0, Mitzholz-Kandersteg 1'59"9, Marchairuz 3'21"6).

Passing to Jean-Louis Klein of Vesenaz during the 1970s and remaining with him into the next decade, the Ace Bristol is understood to have contested the 1978 Le Mans Historic among other meetings. Purchased by the vendor from Swiss dealer Christoph Grohe during the February 2008 Retromobile Show, the AC was found to pleasingly retain its original Bristol engine (number 100D508) and much of its factory-fitted aluminium bodywork but to be very tired. Entrusted to Beaufort Restoration of Bredgar, Kent in May 2008, chassis BEX168 emerged in its current condition some twenty-one months and over 1,750 man hours later. Finished in silver with black leather upholstery, the two-seater presents very nicely but also carries traces of its competitive past. Potentially eligible for such prestigious events as the Mille Miglia Storica, Le Mans Classic and Tour Auto, this highly original, chassis / engine number matching Ace Bristol is offered for sale with history file, Beaufort Restoration invoices / photographs and current MSA Historic Technical Passport.