The success of Cliff Davis' Tojeiro sports-racer prompted AC Cars to put a very similar 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 the John Cooper-influenced, all-independent suspension, but the power unit was AC's own elderly 2-litre, long-stroke six.

This, single-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 1954.

The Aceca's 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.

The result was a well-engineered, light in weight and extremely prett...