Description
During the 1950?s AC enlisted the aid of genius race chassis designer John Tojeiro in creating a sports car to boost sales of the AC marque. His subsequent creation was the Ace which appeared at Earls Court in 1953 with its tubular ladder type chassis with all round independent suspension by traverse springs ? the first British sportscar to be thus equipped. The AC offered immense road holding and handling and the car could easily out pace many of its bigger rivals and it soon established an enviable reputation in sporting events around the World. The AC Aceca Coupe followed in 1954, a beautifully proportioned early example of a GT type body.
We sold this stunning, low mileage AC Aceca back in 2021 and are delighted to welcome it back. This beautifully presented car has covered just 29000 miles from new and comes with an incredible history and original rebuilt engine that gives the car a huge level of provenance. The AC was registered new, finished in Blue to AC Cars Thames Ditton on the 10th November 1960, and sold new to Mr and Mrs Cane in Braintree, Essex. A copy of the original buff logbook confirms the car was transferred early on from husband to wife and the car covered just 15000 miles in the use of Mrs Cane. True AC people, Mr Cane was running an AC Greyhound so its stable mate, the Aceca was used for more local mileage. Service records/ invoices from the 1970's are on file from Thames Ditton. At 15000 miles in 1979 the AC was sold to a Wembley, Middlesex based lady who also maintained the car with AC, invoices again on file.
In 1983 the AC headed briefly north, it sold to a gentleman in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, now with 18000 miles recorded. The Aceca only stayed in Yorkshire for one year and in 1984 was sold to Prop Jet Limited (later Fortis Aviation Ltd), registered at Stansted Airport. It stayed in the same ownership for a further 17 years and in 2001 with 27, 500 miles recorded the AC returned to Northern England, residing with a private owner in Oldham. In 2013 with 28000 miles, the AC sold to one of our who customers who commissioned a light restoration and covered very few miles in over six years of ownership. The car was part of a large collection of top quality, iconic cars. Over the period of his ownership, the AC was fully re-painted, fully re-trimmed and the original AC 2. 0 litre engine completely stripped down and fully rebuilt. Interestingly, with the original engine needing work, an exceptionally quick, powerful six cylinder TR engine was fitted to the car enhancing performance of the car. Due to the high level of usability and increased performance, whilst the original is fully rebuilt and with the car, along with the original gearbox and various ancillaries, the TR engine is still fitted to the car but future owners have the choice to re-fit the original unit, or simply, keep it with the car to retain matching numbers status. The engine was rebuilt at a cost of £10, 000 and is beautifully presented and can make a centre piece in the garage, next to the car if not re-fitted.
The mileage certainly fits with the paperwork, and is warranted from 1978 to 2021 so we know it has covered just 14000 miles in the last 45 years, and having the cars 1970's Thames Ditton service history also adds huge provenance. With a superb traceable history and presenting in such beautiful condition, we know this is a very sought-after car. The AC presents superbly with its original first-class aluminium body finished in the cars original colour of Blue. The paint finish gleams and is of an exceptional high standard, bright work and wire wheels are in excellent order and the interior is beautifully re-trimmed. The engine bay presents superbly, and having been in the hands of a meticulous collector, the car is in excellent condition throughout. Having covered hardly any mileage over the six years prior to coming to us ahead of supplying it in 2021, £4000 was spent fully servicing the AC, fitting a new set of Blockley tyres, re-commissioning the braking system to include new rear shoes, rear wheel cylinders and cup seals. This is a true collector's piece, a rare iconic car for the sporting motorist and collector, seeking a hand built classic offering comfortable and elegant high speed motoring. Please note the private registration mark is not with the car, it is currently being re-allocated its original registration mark 240 SPF, and the original engine and ancillaries are included within the sale price.
