1955 AC Aceca

20th Sep, 2023 13:00
30th Anniversary Sale at The Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/l...

Converted in 1960s to AC Ace Ruddspeed spec with Raymond Mays 2.6 Litre Ford Engine with Triple Webers
Extensive documented racing history throughout the 1980s, 90s and 2000s
Large history file documented car throughout its life
The success of independent racing car builder Cliff Davis' Tojeiro sports-racer prompted AC Cars to put the design into production in 1954 as the Ace. The Davis car's pretty Ferrari 166-inspired barchetta bodywork was retained, as was John Tojeiro's twin-tube ladder frame chassis and Cooper-influenced all-independent suspension, while the power unit was AC's own venerable, 2.0-litre, long-stroke six. Designed by AC's founder John Weller, this overhead-camshaft engine originated in 1919, and with a modest 80bhp (later 100bhp) on tap, endowed the Ace with respectable, if not outstanding, performance. A hardtop version - the fastback-styled Aceca coupé - debuted at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1954, its name – like that of the Ace itself – recalling that of a previous AC model of the 1930s.

Extremely shapely and attractive, the Aceca's two-seater hatchback body was constructed in hand-formed aluminium over a tubular steel framework, while the tubular chassis was more substantially built than the Ace's. To reduce noise levels within the cabin, AC mounted all major components on rubber bushes. Unlike the flat windscreen of the open Ace, that of the Aceca was curved to blend into the cabin, while the luggage space behind the seats was accessible either from within the cockpit or via the large hinged rear window panel. The result was a well-engineered, light in weight, and extremely pretty GT car in the best AC tradition.

Very few alterations were made to the Ace and Aceca apart from a change of engine for 1956 when the more powerful (up to 130bhp) 2.0-litre Bristol six-cylinder engine became available, while towards the end of production the 2.6-litre Ford Zephyr engine was on offer also.
The combination of a fine-handling chassis and a decent power-to-weight ratio - in Bristol-engined form the car could touch 120mph - helped the Ace to numerous successes in production sports car racing, arguably its finest achievement being a 1st-in-class and 7th overall finish at Le Mans in 1959.

Factory records show an AC Cars build completion date of 14th September, 1955 - Chassis AEX 525 with the original two-litre engine fitted and registered as an export model. It was therefore lefthand drive and subsequently delivered to Portugal in 1955. In 1962, a Portuguese nobleman, Francisco Jose Gentil Heredia, bought a new one of the rare, 35 factory produced, 2.6 litre Ruddspeed AC Aces - RSX 5009. He had it returned to the factory a number of times to increase the specification to Stage Four tune (Details within the history point to Stage Five tune in reality) and fitted with Borrani wire wheels. Although officially 'road-going', the car was later raced in Europe, including Cascais.

Between 1987 and 2002 the car appeared at the following events;

Meadowbrook Historic Races - 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990.

Pocono VSCCA - 1988.

Pittsburgh Grand Prix - 1988, 1991, 1992, 2001, 2002.

Mid Ohio - 1992.

Whilst in the States, a roll cage was also fitted and the suspension modified by the renowned engineer and race driver, Chris Lawrence (class winner - 1962 Le Mans) and who was also racing a 'Cobra-beating' Aceca on the West Coast. During 2007, the car was re-commissioned for the UK and, apart from light road use, has had some shake-down runs at Prescott and the 'Wings and Wheels' display/runway run at Dunsfold where it was reported to cause more of a sensation than the Cobra's.

It was featured in Classic & Sportscar's 'Discovered' section (page 33, June 2007) and also numerous editions of the ACOC club magazine 'AC tion' including a lead article in April 2007. It is also shown on the AC website under the 'Wings and Wheels' feature. The car is also included in the book 'AC Six Cylinder Sports Cars' by Rinsey Mills showing the Ace driven by Heredia that became the donor to the Aceca following the Ace's disastrous fire and this tragic episode is reported in the book.

This car is truly unique as it is the only one in the world having such history and provenance. In spite of spending all of its life abroad, the car is well known in terms of reputation especially by members of the ACOC UK.

Lucas Gomersall
[email protected]
07484 082430