CASTLE COMBE AUTUMN CLASSIC: AUCTION SELECTION - A 1957 AC ACE-BRISTOL

Returning to production after the Second World War, by the early 50s AC Cars of Thames Ditton sought a replacement for the now aging 2-Litre range of cars. A product of renowned race car designer and constructor John Tojeiro, AC Cars acquired Tojeiro’s sleek lightweight open two-seater design, developed the car’s styling, fitted a 2-litre, six-cylinder AC engine and christened the new model the “Ace”. With a light, ladder-type tubular frame, all independent transverse leaf spring suspension, and an open two-seater alloy body reminiscent of Ferrari’s 166 MM Barchetta, the Ace debuted to great acclaim at the 1953 Earls Court motor show.

Featuring all-round independent suspension (a British first), the Ace was equally adept on road and track, with superb handling and minimal body roll, ultimately setting the cornerstones for the giant-killing Shelby Cobras of the 1960s.

By the mid-1950s the pre-war AC inline-six was showing its age, and so in 1956 made way for a more powerful and refined Bristol straight-six (which itself was a development of the pre-war BMW 328 unit). With triple carburetors and hemispherical combustion chambers, the 120 bhp engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission propelled the Ace to 116 mph.

Ace-Bristols won three successive SCCA E-Production Championships in the United States between 1957 and 1959, the D-Production Championship in 1960 and C-Production Championship in 1961. In Europe, the Ace-Bristol achieved a 2nd-in-class finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1957 and 1958, and both class victory and 7th overall in 1959.

BEX 302, an AC Ace-Bristol, rolled out of the Thames Ditton works on 17th June 1957, bound for AC Imports of Arlington Virginia. Finished in Bright Blue Metalline, the Ace was first registered to pharmacist Mr. W.G. Skelton, Springfield Avenue, Champaign, Illinois on 10th July 1957. The car later passed to Mr. Tom W Miller of Amarillo in Texas, who we understand raced the car in period. Following failure of the cylinder head Miller pushed the Ace into his barn and stored it for a number of years before advertising the car for sale in a local car sales paper.

Jim Ryan, a former professional Manchester United and Luton Town footballer of the 1960s, later relocated to the USA to play first for Dallas Tornado and subsequently Wichita Wings. A lifetime classic car enthusiast, in March 1979 Jim saw an advert in the local Texas car paper and traveled to Amarillo to view the Ace. The cylinder head (which had been cracked) had been removed and was sitting in the car. The two men came to an agreement on price, and Jim trailered the car back to his home in Wichita.

Jim later met Alf Francis, Stirling Moss’ former mechanic, who offered to help with the cylinder head repair, driving with Alf to Tulsa in a vintage Ferrari to get the head repaired, now it was just a matter of getting the rest of the car into shape. However, intending to go back to the UK, Jim bit the bullet and advertised the Ace for sale. A somewhat shady prospective buyer viewed the car in Jim’s absence, couldn’t buy the car for his low ball offer, and in a fit of pique made off with its cylinder head! Now back in the UK Jim found a replacement head, but by this time the block had become frost damaged and sadly was beyond repair. 

Jim sourced a replacement engine, commissioned Mike Robinson Engineering in Cheshire to rebuild the unit to correct D2 specification, set up the carburettors and timing, and finally after decades, got the engine running. The Ace’s original coachwork was stripped to bare metal and refinished to its original colour. At the same time the brakes were overhauled and a number of other smaller jobs undertaken, such as fitting a new stainless steel exhaust and fuel tank. The carpets were renewed some years ago, the seats though are believed to be original and in nicely preserved order. 

In 2021 Jim sold the Ace to our vendor, a lifelong vintage and early post-war sports car enthusiast with much experience of the AC and Bristol marques. In current ownership the car has been serviced with all fluids replaced, the radiator flushed and new plugs fitted. BEX 302 has covered under 5,000 miles without issue since being returned to the road. The Ace will come complete with soft top roof, full tonneau cover, also side screens.

Unusually, the chassis of BEX 302 is completely original, with no repairs evident, and wearing all original bodywork. Offered with a USA State Farm legal document, State of Kansas license certificate (1979), end of year certificate, older insurance certificate, UK V5C and AC Bristol Authentication Letter, this genuine low ownership example, never completely restored but rather mechanically and cosmetically refurbished, will no doubt prove to be a tempting prospect for any serious enthusiast.

COLLECTORS ROAD AND COMPETITION CARS
CASTLE COMBE AUTUMN CLASSIC
CASTLE COMBE CIRCUIT, UPPER CASTLE COMBE, CHIPPENHAM SN14 7EY
21 SEPTEMBER AT 2:00PM

Lot 23
1957 AC Ace-Bristol                                  

Registration Number: 713 YUU
Chassis Number: BEX 302
Engine Number: 100B24232 (to D2 specification)
Recorded Mileage: TBA

Original, sympathetically restored example

ESTIMATE: £220,000 - £250,000