AC Ace bristol - 1956 For Sale

Serial number: BEX235 36th out of 466 produced Model history: In 1953, AC Cars presented the Ace at Earls Court, London, with a 100 bhp engine in a lightweight tubular chassis and aluminium bodywork by Tojeiro. In 1957, AC offered the option of a 2. 0-litre Bristol six-cylinder engine developing 120 bhp (128 bhp in Phase II). Light (750 kg), the Ace offered exceptional performance, becoming competitive on the racetracks, including Le Mans in 1957 and 1958. Only 466 Ace cars with Bristol engines were produced between 1956 and 1962. In 1961, after the Bristol engine was discontinued, Carroll Shelby proposed to install a Ford V-8 in the Ace, giving birth in 1962 to the Cobra, marking a new chapter for AC. History of this AC Bristol: According to Tony Bancroft, Club Registrar, chassis BEX235 was shipped on 7 December 1956. The car was delivered to Jack Fernandez in Caracas, Venezuela in 1957. Fernandez was an AC importer and a keen racer. He took part in events in South and North America with AC Bristols. He raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring and in other major competitions. Although there is no documented evidence, Fernandez could have raced BEX235. One American site mentions that she raced in Venezuela for two years. Fernandez's success increased brand awareness. The car then found its way to North America, where in the 1970s (or perhaps earlier) it was fitted with a 1965 Ford 289 V8 engine and T10 gearbox. Photos from the 1980s show the car in its current condition. In 1991, BEX235 was owned by Southern Classics before passing to Ron Leonard, owner of the AC Exchange in Colorado, and then to Peter Fisher. Tony Carpenter of Marietta, Georgia, was the last American owner. The V8 conversion was carried out without any major modifications to the chassis or bodywork, and the car was returned to the UK for a complete overhaul, including a rack-and-pinion steering conversion, carried out by Ben Yates in collaboration with John Tojeiro. Attracted by its performance potential, the car was purchased for a Scottish collection in late 2009, before receiving a thorough check and new black leather upholstery by Ian Nuthall. Now in excellent condition, the Ace Bristol remains one of the jewels of the post-war era. Body: The car has an excellent, very sound body. Painted 5 years ago, the paint has a brilliant sheen. Never damaged and with perfect door and bonnet days, it needs no work. Upholstery: It has magnificent black leather upholstery. The carpets are superb, as are the door pockets. The bonnet is new. Engine: Very sound mechanics, fully serviced in the UK, V8 engine regularly maintained with excellent oil pressure. Gearbox: Smooth running, as it should be. Running gear: The rear axle is stable, very good road-holding. The chassis behaves perfectly. There is no play or noise. The suspension is perfect. Braking behaviour: Braking is perfect and in a straight line. Price: Consult us