AC Ace (1959)

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Just completed from an extensive restoration in the Netherlands, where each component of the car was painstakingly rebuilt and refurbished The restoration was thoroughly documented, with detailed photographs illustrating every stage of the process, providing a complete visual record of the work carried out The AC Ace, was originally designed by John Tojeiro, also involved in designing some of the most beautiful cars in automotive history, including the Ferrari Barchetta The AC Ace shares certain key stylistic elements with the Ferrari Barchetta, particularly in the way the body curves gracefully, creating a smooth, flowing line that conveys both speed and elegance Incredibly refined interior, the Brown Biscuit leather interior brings a touch of Ferrari-inspired luxury to the car Desirable chromed Borrani wire wheels. These handcrafted wheels, renowned for their association with Ferrari and racing legends, add a touch of Italian flair and timeless beauty Desirable factory left-hand-drive example Powerful Bristol engine One of the best driving sports cars of the 50’s The history of AC Cars begins in 1901 in London, when engineer John Weller and businessman John Portwine founded Autocarriers Ltd. The initials “AC” were derived from Autocarriers, a name that would later become synonymous with British sports cars. By the 1930s, AC had developed its own sophisticated 2-litre inline six-cylinder engine, an advanced and smooth power unit for its time. A key moment came in the early 1950s when racing driver and designer John Tojeiro created a lightweight tubular-frame sports car. AC acquired the rights to his design and adapted it into a production model. The result was the elegant and agile AC Ace, introduced in 1953 at the London Motor Show. The car’s smooth and flowing lines gave it an elegant appearance while also contributing to improved aerodynamics. But what many people might not know is that Tojeiro was also involved in designing some of the most beautiful cars in automotive history, including the Ferrari Barchetta. In fact, John Tojeiro’s design work for AC Cars was influenced by his experience designing for Ferrari. The AC Ace shares certain key stylistic elements with the Ferrari Barchetta, particularly in the way the body curves gracefully, creating a smooth, flowing line that conveys both speed and elegance. Both cars feature long, low, and sweeping lines, making them look sleek and fast even when they’re standing still. The way the rear of the AC Ace arches back into a low, tapering tail, for example, mirrors the same design philosophy that Tojeiro would later apply to his Ferrari work. In 1956, AC introduced a significantly upgraded version of the Ace. The company began using engines supplied by Bristol Cars. The Bristol engine dramatically improved the car’s performance, transforming the Ace into a far more competitive sports car. Several examples competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, achieving strong results in the 2-litre class. While the original AC-engined Ace continued to be available for a short time, the Bristol-powered version quickly became the preferred choice among enthusiasts and racing drivers. In 1962, American racer and entrepreneur Carroll Shelby used the Ace’s chassis as the basis for a new high-performance car powered by an American V8 engine. The result was the legendary AC Cobra. Over the entire production life of the Ace family, from 1953 to 1963, the numbers remained relatively limited, reinforcing the car’s exclusivity. Approximately 223 examples of the original AC Ace were built with the AC engine, while the more powerful AC Ace Bristol reached roughly 463 units. ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE This remarkable AC Ace Bristol, was constructed in 1959 as a left-hand drive example, making it a rare and sought-after model in the world of classic cars. It holds a beautiful history that dates back to its purchase in 1974 by Jerry Lynch from southern Colorado.