-Mille Miglia eligible with current FIVA papers

-Known ownership since new

In the golden era of British sports cars, the AC Ace emerged as one of the most beautiful and capable machines of its time. Lightweight, elegant, and race-proven, the Ace laid the foundation for the legendary AC Cobra and remains one of the most cherished models ever produced by AC Cars of Thames Ditton. Among these cars, Chassis AE 220 stands out—not only for its exceptional provenance and period-correct restoration but for its fascinating direct connection to the world of British motorsport.

Completed on the 30th of October, 1957, AE 220 was assembled at the AC factory in Thames Ditton and finished in its original and striking shade of Damask Red with a black interior. It was built in right-hand drive configuration and fitted from new with AC’s venerable 1991cc straight-six engine—a powerplant that had proven its mettle in both road and race applications.

The car was delivered new to K.N. Rudd Ltd, the garage and business of Ken Rudd, one of the most influential figures in AC’s post-war history. Rudd, a talented engineer and racer, had founded his business in Worthing, originally focusing on agricultural equipment before turning to high-performance sports cars. A keen competitor himself, Rudd campaigned ACs in club and national racing events, quickly establishing his Ruddspeed operation as the go-to name for preparing and tuning AC Aces and other performance cars.

AE 220 was registered ‘YBP 782’—a number it proudly retains today—and used under the Rudd banner before being sold on in January 1958 to its first private owner, Mr Alan Bremner of Newcastle upon Tyne. His ownership lasted a year, after which the car passed to Mrs Dorothy Morris of North London. When the Morris family moved to Heathfield, the Ace remained with them and was maintained by Seys Garages (Heathfield) Ltd. A number of handwritten invoices from this period are included in the car’s extensive history file, offering a rare glimpse into the day-to-day care of a cherished British sports car during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

In 1967, AE 220 entered the most enduring chapter of its life when it was purchased by Dr A.J.B. Missen, who, along with his family, would remain its custodian for the next forty-three years. A man of detail and integrity, Dr Missen took meticulous care of the Ace, ensuring it was maintained both mechanically and cosmetically throughout his ownership. The archive accompanying the car includes a treasure trove of correspondence with AC Cars, detailed invoices, and letters that not only track the car’s upkeep but also offer entertaining insight into Dr Missen’s experiences with the marque and this car in particular.

During his tenure, AE 220 benefitted from a series of sympathetic restorative works, including a full engine rebuild, body repaint, a new exhaust system, a complete interior retrim, a rebuilt steering system, and a comprehensive brake overhaul. At a time when many Aces were being modified or neglected, Dr Missen’s attention to originality and functionality ensured that AE 220 survived in excellent condition and true to its factory specification.

In 2010, after more than four decades in the Missen family, AE 220 was sold to Mr M. Jopp, a fellow enthusiast who lived locally and had known of the car for many years. Two years later, it passed into the hands Mr L. Kett a name synonymous with high-quality bodywork restoration.It was under this expert custodianship that AE 220 underwent a comprehensive and deeply considered restoration, bringing the car to its current exceptional standard.

The restoration began with a complete bare-metal strip-down of the body. The wings were reshaped and re-profiled, and the doors, bonnet, and boot lid were re-hung to ensure precise panel alignment and perfect shut lines—a level of detail often overlooked but critical in an Ace.The car was then repainted in its original Damask Red, with a deep, lustrous finish that both respects and enhances its period character.

Underneath the skin, the restoration continued with the installation of a new wiring loom, rebuilt suspension system with new shock absorbers, and the fabrication of new foot boxes, floor pans, boot floor, and a bespoke transmission tunnel. These works not only addressed corrosion and fatigue common to Aces of this era but also ensured the car’s long-term structural integrity without compromising its originality.

Attention was also paid to the dashboard, which over the decades had suffered from the loss of original gauges and additional holes made for non-standard instruments. This was carefully corrected: the dashboard was repaired, re-trimmed in leather, and refitted with correct period gauges, while any original instruments were restored to exacting standards.

The carburettors were rebuilt by renowned fuel system specialists Burlen Ltd, who also restored the thermostatic choke, ensuring it now functions as originally intended. The windscreen surround and fuel cap were both re-chromed, while the front and rear bumper bars were re-manufactured by the original supplier are with the car. A new stainless steel exhaust system was crafted and fitted by Hayward & Scott, a name well-known among British performance car enthusiasts.

AE 220 is offered with a detachable hardtop, as well as its original-style hood, hood frame, and side screens, making it practical and versatile for touring.

£184,995

To find out more about this significant motorcar please contact charlie@brooklandscarsltd.com in our sales team for further details, viewing by prior appointment. Tel: +44(0)7557 878123