Introduced in October 1953, the AC Ace was essentially a reworked version of "Loy 500" the handsome John Tojeiro designed sports racer with which Cliff Davis won 6 races that season. Lured into collaboration with the Thames Ditton manufacturer by the promise of a £5 per car royalty fee, Tojeiro ensured that the new model's ladder-framed tubular chassis enjoyed the same handling prowess as its competition forebear. Ace Bristols achieved considerable success at Le Mans in 1957, 1958 and 1959 as well as domination the Sports Car Club of America's production championship.

According to a letter on file from AC club registrar Tony Bancroft, this particular left-hand drive example was dispatched from Thames Ditton on 7th December 1956 and delivered to Jack Fernancez in Venezuela. As well as being the Venezuelan importer, Fernandez was a keen racer and competed in similar Bristol-engined Aces. Competition success gave Mr. Fernandez a great deal of favourable publicity which resulted in Venezuela becoming the third largest export market for Ace Bristols, behind only the USA and France.

The two-seater eventually ended up in North America and by the 1970s was fitted with its current, 1965 date-stamped 289 Ford 4.7, V8 engine and T10 gearbox. The conversion was carried out without any major changes to the body or chassis, and is accompanied with the letter of authenticity from the official AC owners club. Pleasingly, the history file contains photographs of the car taken in the early 1980s appearing largely as it does today. By 1991 our Ace belonged to the US firm Southern Classics and thereafter it passed through the hands of Ron Leonard a well known aficionado and proprietor.

Upon its return to the UK, the car benefited from a suspension overhaul including new Spax shock absorbers, kingpins and bushes plus the fitment of a rack and pinion steering conversion, supplied by well known club member Ben Yates (which had been developed in conjunction with John Tojeiro).

Our fabulous AC Ace Bristol is finished in striking Red coachwork with impeccable Black leather upholstery and Charcoal carpets. Sporting a set of desirable Marchal 'Fantastic' spotlamps and Le Mans style nose cowl, this tempting AC is offered for sale with the aforementioned letter of authenticity, UK registration documents and numerous invoices.

Visually stunning, this lovely AC Ace Bristol would be a fantastic addition to any classic car collection.

Year:1956





Colour:Signal Red





Transmission:Manual





Steering:LHD





Engine size:4.7