AC Cars’ new Ace model was thoroughly modern, boasting a John Tojeiro design that featured a lightweight tubular frame chassis with fully independent suspension and smooth straight-six engine, clothed in strikingly beautiful, open two-seater alloy bodywork.

Three years later, the introduction of the Bristol engine brought a significant increase in power and overall performance, elevating the Ace to the level of the era’s most advanced machinery.

Featuring three carburetors, optional front disc brakes, and a four-speed gearbox, the Ace Bristol offered a very responsive and capable package.

These cars quickly became popular in racing, competing in everything from amateur events to outings at Le Mans in 1957 and 1958, and eventually providing the basis for Shelby’s Cobra a decade after the initial debut of the car.
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An original Ace-engined export model, chassis AEX142 was shipped from the AC factory in Thames Ditton to the Los Angeles importers in 1957, and spent much of its life in C...