AC ACECA BRISTOL, RHD, 1956

First delivered to AC dealer Johnson & Brown of West Bromley in September 1956, the Aceca has had several illustrious custodians, and has now been re-united with its valuable original registration plate. It has been the subject of significant expenditure, which is evident on inspection.

It retains its Bristol 125 HP 100D 1991 cc engine and benefits from the addition of an alternator, collapsible steering column, Moto Lita Ace 16” steering wheel, Williams seat belts and dual circuit brakes. The in-line six Bristol engine fitted to the Aceca-Bristol was based on a design from BMW with cast iron block and aluminium cylinder head. It has a single camshaft with pushrods running vertically to a rocker shaft on the inlet side of the engine and further horizontal pushrods running in 6 tubes over the top of the engine to reach the exhaust rockers. The two inclined rocker covers give the engine a similar appearance to an overhead - camshaft arrangement. Three inline Solex downdraft carburettors were bolted directly to the cylinder head casting using small adaptor plates.

Based on the open two-seat AC Ace, the Aceca was a hand-built grand tourer in the British tradition, with ash wood and steel tubing used in their construction. One notable feature was the hatchback at the rear, making the Aceca only the second car, after the 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4, to incorporate this element.

The front-end styling of the Ace and Aceca reportedly traces back to a design done by Pinin Farina for AC in the late 1940s. The car stayed light owing to a tubular frame, aluminium engine block and aluminium body panels. Large 16" spoked road wheels and near 50/50 weight distribution allowed exceptional handling on substandard road surfaces. All models had transverse leaf spring IRS, articulated rear half-axles, worm-gear steering, an optional overdrive on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, curved windscreen, and leather-covered bucket seats. The suspension is independent at the front and the rear uses transverse leaf springs.

This Aceca has 2 large history files and 2 workshop manual files which make for wonderful reading. It has also successfully exhibited at prestigious concours d’elegance events, including a Judges Choice win at Blenheim Palace in 2017. This gives some idea of the outstanding condition. Benefitting from a recent £22,000 plus expenditure, this is an opportunity to own one of the few AC Acecas that are Mille Miglia eligible.

Available to view now at our London showrooms.