-Eligible to motorsports largest events Goodwood, Mille Miglia etc
-Period SCCA Race History
-EU Registered
The success of Cliff Davis's Tojeiro sports racer led AC Cars to put the design into production in 1954, launching it as the Ace. Retaining the Davis car’s Ferrari 166-inspired barchetta bodywork, the Ace featured John Tojeiro's twin-tube ladder frame chassis and Cooper-influenced all-independent suspension. AC's own 2-liter, long-stroke six-cylinder engine powered the car, delivering a modest 80bhp (later upgraded to 100bhp), which provided respectable, though not exceptional, performance.
In 1955, AC introduced a hardtop version of the Ace, the fastback-styled Aceca. By 1956, both models became available with the more powerful Bristol 2-liter six-cylinder engine. The Bristol engine, with its innovative pushrod-operated inclined valves and down-draught carburettors, produced up to 130bhp in road trim, significantly enhancing the Ace's performance. The combination of the well-engineered chassis and the powerful Bristol engine enabled the Ace to achieve a top speed of around 120mph (195km/h) in road specification, and up to 150bhp for racing applications.
The Ace’s superior handling and favorable power-to-weight ratio contributed to numerous successes in production sports car racing, including a notable first-in-class and seventh overall finish at the 1959 Le Mans. The basic soundness of the Ace’s design and chassis was later reflected in its evolution into the legendary Cobra, when AC replaced the Bristol engine with Ford V8 power.
Of the 463 Ace Bristols produced at AC’s Thames Ditton works, this particular example left the factory on June 17, 1957. Originally specified in white with red leather upholstery and trim, it was brokered through AC Imports of Arlington, Virginia, to its first owner, Ebb Rose of Houston. Rose, an oilfield haulage business owner, actively campaigned the car in SCCA events.
At Mansfield on 1 September 1957 he came 3rd in race 3 behind Don Zeek and Harry Washburn in their Ace Bristols, then in race 6 for D, E and F Production he came 2nd OA and EP behind Bill Burroughs in Bert DeRieux's Ace Bristol. Again at Mansfield for the opening race meeting of 1958 on 8/9 March he won race 3 ahead of four other Ace Bristols driven by Ross Wees, Bill Steele, Hap Sharp and Harry Washburn. In race 6 for B to F production he was 2nd to Wees with Washburn 3rd after the faster of the Corvettes retired. In the September the Galveston races were almost flooded out but Ebb was unworried by the conditions. In the second race he led all the Corvettes as well as Shawver and Steele in Ace Bristols to win, and then for the fifth race, which he hadn't planned to drive in, he lent the car to Frank Smith, whose Checkerboard Special had gone sick. At the last moment Jim Binford suggested that Ebb might take his Ace Bristol (BEX355) and in so doing created one of the best races of the day. A couple of Corvettes led off the line with the track drying but were soon overwhelmed by the Ace Bristols of Rose, Davis and Shawver, who finished in that order.
More recently, the car has competed in the Retrospective Mille Miglia in 2005, 2006, and 2007, further cementing its status as a well-preserved and continuously active historic race car.
Currently in single ownership for the past 17 years, this Ace Bristol has been meticulously maintained, with significant expenditure on restoration, including metalwork, paintwork, and mechanical overhauls. In 2018, over £40,000 was spent on the restoration, with work completed by marque specialists. The car has also received an extensive overhaul of its suspension, braking, and steering components, along with a full electrical overhaul since coming to the AC heritage works. Recently fitted with new Michelin X tyres and powder-coated wire wheels.
With current FIVA papers and expired FIA papers (which can be easily reissued, as the car remains in original specification), this Ace Bristol represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a highly eligible motorcar.
POA
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
This motorcar is also advertised through our AC Heritage brand.