1959 AC Ace

Background

A derivative of English engineer John Tojeiro’s design, the Ace’s ladder-style tubular steel chassis carried a barchetta-style aluminum body over a steel tube framework. After debuting at the 1953 London Motor Show, the model entered production the following year with propulsion from an AC inline-six, which was joined in 1956 by the option of a more powerful Bristol engine. The Ace remained in production until Bristol discontinued its six-cylinder engine, after which the chassis design was carried on as the basis for the V8-powered AC Cobra.

Built in 1959

This 1959 AC Ace is said to have been manufactured as a Bristol-powered example in March 1959 before being delivered new via Jim Ferguson Motors in Toronto, Ontario. Chassis BEX1045 was purchased in 1960 by SCCA racer Jerry Scheberies, who reportedly had it fitted with a 215ci Oldsmobile V8 and a Corvette transmission before racing it through the 1960s. After changing hands in the early 1970s, the car was purchased by a Maryland owner who installed a Ford V8 and retained it in storage until selling it to its previous owner in 2001. After being featured on BaT in May 2013, the car was purchased by the selling dealer, who carried out a refurbishment between 2013 and 2018 with inspiration from the car’s 1960s specifications.

Post Restoration Life

Following the completion of the project, the car was shown at the 2019 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Finished in Svecia Red over black leather, the car is powered by a 215ci Oldsmobile OHV V8 that features an aluminum block and cylinder heads and is mated to a General Motors Saginaw four-speed manual transmission. Additional features include front disc brakes, four-wheel independent suspension, 16” wire wheels, fog lamps, and a black soft top. This Oldsmobile-powered Ace is now offered with invoices from its refurbishment and a Virginia title listing the car as a 1960 model.

This example was refinished in blue with white stripes under previous ownership before being stripped to bare metal during the 2013-2018 refurbishment and repainted in Svecia Red, which was reportedly its original color. A touched-up blemish in the finish beneath the trunk opening is shown up close in the photo gallery below. Features include front and rear bumperettes, Lucas fog lamps, wind wings, AC Bristol badging, a driver-side mirror, an external fuel filler cap, dual exhaust outlets, and a replacement black soft top. The top bows are noted to exhibit wear.

Highlights

Bright wire wheels are secured by two-eared knock-offs and wrapped in 5.50-16 Firestone Deluxe Champion tires. A matching spare is housed in the trunk. Girling disc brakes up front and finned drums at the rear handle stopping.
The left-hand-drive cockpit houses a pair of fixed-back bucket seats trimmed in black pleated leather with color-keyed door pockets, dash trim, and carpeting. Additional features include an ivory-color shift knob, leather door-pull straps, a lockable glovebox, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, and a black zippered tonneau cover.
The wood-rimmed steering wheel sits ahead of Smiths instrumentation, including a 140-mph speedometer, a 6k-rpm tachometer with an inset clock, and gauges monitoring coolant temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and amperage. The five-digit odometer shows 57k miles, approximately 100 of which have been added under current ownership.
The replacement 215ci Oldsmobile V8 was installed during the selling dealer’s refurbishment and features an aluminum block, aluminum cylinder heads with wedge-shaped combustion chambers, overhead valves operated via shaft-mounted rocker arms, and an Edelbrock carburetor.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a General Motors Saginaw four-speed manual transmission that was installed during the 2010s refurbishment. Independent suspension incorporates transverse leaf springs and tubular shock absorbers at each end.