1959 A.C. Ace-Bristol
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LHD car delivered new to Texas, USA
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Factory-fitted front disc brakes
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Prepared for Continental touring
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The A.C. Ace-Bristol.
Based on the design of ‘LOY 500’, John Tojeiro’s Bristol-engined sports-racer, the AC Ace was arguably even more handsome. Introduced in 1953 and initially powered by AC’s own 1991cc OHC engine, improved availability from 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 as well as dominating its class in the Sports Car Club of America’s production championship from 1957 – 61.
Rather naively, John Tojeiro accepted a contract that would return him £5 for each Ace sold, up to a limit of 100. Perhaps his expectations of the car’s sales potential were low but he must have rued the decision when eventually 723 Aces of all types left the Thames Ditton factory. 463 of these were Bristol-engined examples. 91 cars were delivered to the UK but the USA was by far the car’s biggest market with well over half of production being sent across the Atlantic.
“Well ahead of anything else” Autosport 1959
Chassis No. BEX1115.
This car left the factory in October 1959 bound for Texas. This car, unlike many other cars that went to foreign shores, seemingly had a gentle life and still retains its original matching numbers engine, corresponding to the original chassis plate on the bulkhead. In addition, all of its important number stampings appear in the correct places on the bodywork, i.e. doors, bonnet and boot hinges, and the car retains its original hood, side screens and trimwork
The car came back to the U.K. over 30 years ago and spent a long time in the collection of a titled gentleman before being purchased by us in 2010. Very sadly, the next owner passed away only a couple of years after purchasing the car and it sat, untouched, in his garage for the next ten years until his family felt they were ready to make the difficult decision to let the Ace go.
It’s time in storage had not been too harsh on the car and recommissioning was largely concerned with the replacement and overhaul of perishable items such as tyres, brake and fuel systems, hoses etc. plus the fitment of an upgraded water pump, A new set of wire wheels and a complete stainless steel exhaust system were also fitted. The history file contains various invoices for work carried out since returning to the U.K. including from Finburgh’s Classic Auto’s for the late owner who had the car prepared with long Continental trips in mind.
