-The first production Brooklands Ace

-Ex AC Cars press car and calendar featured car

-54,000 miles

-4 previous keepers

The acquisition of the rights to the AC name by Autokraft in 1982 led to the development of several prototypes for a next-generation AC to replace the venerable Cobra. This process ultimately culminated in the introduction of the new Ace at the 1993 Motor Show.

Hand-built at AC's Brooklands factory and aimed squarely at the Mercedes-Benz SL market, the new Brooklands Ace was priced accordingly, starting at over £50,000. A thoroughly modern sports car in every respect, the Ace featured a stainless-steel chassis, independent suspension all round and was powered by the latest Ford Mustang 5.0-litre V8, producing approximately 260bhp.

The curvaceous aluminium-alloy bodywork rivalled the original Ace for looks, while the specification was suitably luxurious, with an electric hood, air conditioning, heated seats and a comprehensively appointed interior all forming part of this exclusive package.

Autokraft's demise in 1996 seriously disrupted Ace production. Although the company was subsequently acquired by Pride Automotive Group Inc. and reconstituted as AC Cars Group Ltd, only a small number of further Aces were produced before production finally ceased in the late 1990s. By then, approximately 58 cars had been made, although, as had so often been the case with the firm, this would not quite prove to be the end of the story.

Writing in CAR magazine in its December 1993 edition, Richard Bremner had this to say about the Brooklands Ace:

“Best of all is that it's terrifically rigid, an asset closely tailed by the excellent finish of body and interior. It's a thoroughly professional effort.”

Listed in the AC factory register — the marque's 'bible' — dated 4th July 1994, this car was recorded to F.W. Mayes & Co Ltd under internal chassis prefix DE1016, manufactured in right-hand-drive configuration with a manual gearbox.

The body colour was specified as Tourmalin Green Pearl (FD902/OOC), with trim specified in Magnolia (A3099) / Green (8390) with Burr Elm. The hood collar was specified with a black hood. Engine number is RF118003. The first public owner was Mr R. F. Austin.

The car was first registered in August 1994 and was retained for promotional use by AC during its early days. The car featured on the front cover and inside cover of the official 1995 AC Calendar, including the image with Angliss, and as 'Miss October'. It was also used as the main image in the factory brochure and appeared on the front of the company's Christmas card. Examples of each are included with the sale.

The first public owner purchased the vehicle directly from AC Cars in June 1996.

Its first officially stamped service was carried out by AC Cars in January 1996 at just 1,120 miles, typical of a factory-owned early-production and promotional car. The second AC service was recorded at 2,448 miles.

By 1998, the car had covered 20,670 miles, with its last of seven services by AC Cars in 1999 showing a total of 37,115 miles. After this point it was serviced by specialists at 49,000 miles, 52,000 miles, 53,766 miles and finally 54,229 miles in December 2025.

The leather-bound handbook is specific to this car and incorporates the service record, alongside comprehensive correspondence from the AC factory dating from its early days.

Offered today with 54,000 miles, four previous keepers and an exceptional history file, this is a particularly significant example of the rare Brooklands Ace, with genuine factory provenance and an unusually well-documented connection to AC Cars itself.

-UNDER OFFER-

To find out more about this significant motorcar please contact our sales team for further details.
Viewing by prior appointment.

This Motorcar is being also being marketed by our sister company AC Heritage.