1957 AC Ace Bristol

Lot details
Registration No: ESL 130
Chassis No: BEX382
Mot Expiry: Mar 2007

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).
Finished in silver with black leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "very good" condition with regard to its six-cylinder engine, four-speed manual gearbox, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres (benefiting from a new dynamo, its electrics are apparently in "good" order too). Shipped new to the USA, BEX 382 is reputed to have been the first AC retailed through Carroll Shelby Sports Cars Inc. Purchased by J.R. Sharp on December 2nd 1957 it was subsequently raced in SCCA Class D events by Dick Hayes before passing into the hands of Dorsey Schroeder Senior (whose family were similarly well known in competition circles). Somewhere along the way, its original powerplant '100D726' gave out only to be replaced with a Ford V8 (or so the 'scoop' markings to the underside of its bonnet and reinforced rear suspension would suggest). Repatriated to the UK some seventeen years ago, it was the subject of an extensive 'ground up' restoration. With the fettling of its chassis entrusted to Lorenzini Autosport, Haslams were given the task of stripping the Ace's bodywork to bare metal and affecting any necessary repairs. Resprayed and treated to new weather gear (hood, tonneau, sidescreens etc), the opportunity was taken to uprate BEX 382 with a more powerful / desirable '100D2' Bristol engine (incorporating various tuning parts from specialist Mike Robinson). Converted to right hand drive specification, it has been in the current collection since August 1999. Stored in controlled conditions, it has covered a mere 1800 miles over the last seven years. Driven by the owner's son to victory in the unmodified class during the AC Ace's 50th Anniversary Celebrations at Donington, BEX 382 was also exhibited at the Aintree Revival and used on various demonstration laps. Starting readily upon inspection and performing well on a brief test run, it has recently been fitted with a Le Mans-style exhaust (but retains the original type system as a spare). A well presented car, it is offered for sale with FIA papers, restoration photographs, sundry bills / receipts, MOT certificate valid until March 8th 2007 and historic class (free) road tax until February 28th 2007.