LOT 215

The Stan West Collection 1958 AC Ace Roadster Registration no. 146 FPJ Chassis no. AE 440 Engine no. CL2354W

Sold for £149,500 inc. premium

Previous Lot

Next Lot

Lot 215

The Stan West Collection
1958 AC Ace Roadster
Registration no. 146 FPJ Chassis no. AE 440 Engine no. CL2354W

Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|18 September 2021, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

The Stan West Collection
1958 AC Ace Roadster
Registration no. 146 FPJ
Chassis no. AE 440
Engine no. CL2354W

*Original AC-engined car
*One of only 21 built in 1958
*Restored in 1993
*Acquired for the Stan West Collection in 2008

Footnotes

"Of them all, the Ace was the truest sports car: it could be used for daily commuting or for high-speed long-distance touring, but it could also be driven to a race meeting, campaigned with distinction, and driven home again - even if that race was the Le Mans 24 Hours." - AC Heritage, Simon Taylor & Peter Burn.

An influential and widely imitated design, the AC Ace (and Cobra derivative) could trace its origins back to a one-off sports-racer built by chassis engineer John Tojeiro for Cliff Davis in 1952. The success of Davis' Tojeiro sports-racer prompted AC Cars to acquire the rights to the design, which was put into production in 1954 as the Ace. The Davis car's pretty Ferrari 166-inspired barchetta bodywork was retained, as was Tojeiro's twin-tube ladder frame chassis and Cooper-influenced all-independent suspension, but the power unit was AC's own venerable, 2.0-litre, long-stroke six. Designed by AC co-founder John Weller, this overhead-camshaft engine had originated in 1919, and with a modest 80bhp (later 100bhp) on tap, endowed the Ace with respectable, if not spectacular, performance. Nevertheless, in tuned form the Ace enjoyed great success in production sports car racing, winning its class at the Le Mans 24-Hour Race in 1959. In 1955 AC added a hardtop version - the fastback-styled Aceca - and both models later became available with the more powerful Bristol engine before production ceased in 1963. Towards the end of production the Ace was also available with the 2.6-litre overhead-valve Ford Zephyr engine installed. Only 223 cars were delivered with the 2.0-litre AC engine compared with 463 Bristol-engined cars and a further 37 Ford-powered examples.

This AC-engined Ace's first owner kept the car from 1958 until 1986, while the second and third owners were members of the same family. In 1993 the chassis was stripped and repainted, and at the same time the car was treated to a mechanical overhaul and interior re-trim. The rebuild included the engine, brakes, steering and clutch, while the water pump, starter motor, dynamo and wiring loom were renewed.

'146 FPJ' was purchased by the immediately preceding owner at Bonhams & Brooks' Goodwood Festival of Speed sale in July 2001 (Lot 751) and thereafter was kept garaged in a climate controlled motor house and cherished as part of the owner's small private collection. Stan West purchased the Ace at Bonhams' Olympia sale in December 2008 (Lot 618), at which time it was described as "Used regularly and... a delightful car to drive... presented in superb condition and offered with an extensive history file..."

Since acquisition the AC has been used sparingly, and like all the cars in Stan's collection has been stored in a bespoke motor house and maintained in tip-top order by his in-house mechanic. It has also benefited from the attentions of Oselli Limited, as evidenced by bills on file for various works carried out in 2009/2010.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge what is known as a Buyer's Premium. Buyer's Premium on all Automobilia lots will adhere to Bonhams group policy:
27.5% on the first £10,000 of the hammer price; 25% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £10,001 up to and including £450,000; 20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £450,001 up to and including £4,500,000; and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001. This applies to each lot purchased and is subject to VAT.
For Motor Cars and Motorcycles a 15% Buyer's Premium is payable on the first £500,000 of the final Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on any amount by which the Hammer Price exceeds £500,000. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Some lots may be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price. These lots will be clearly marked with the relevant symbol printed beside the lot number in the catalogue.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
Automobilia
All purchased lots must be collected from the sale venue by 1pm on the day after the sale. All un- collected purchased lots shall then be removed to Bonhams Guildford office at the buyers expense.
Bonhams Guildford office located at: 4 Millmead Guildford, GU2 4BE
Uncollected lots will be available for collection by appointment only from Wednesday 22 September.
To arrange an appointment for collection please contact the Automobilia Department on 01483 445495 or [email protected]
All lots will be charged £10+VAT uplift and storage at £1+VAT per day per lot.
All lots marked with a "diamond" symbol will be charged £25+VAT uplift and storage at £5+VAT per day per lot.
All lots marked with a "two diamond" symbol will be charged £50+VAT uplift and storage at £10+VAT per day per lot.
All lots marked with a "three diamond" symbol will be removed by E M Rogers to their Northampton store at the buyers expense. Each lot will be charged £100+VAT uplift and £5+VAT per lot per day storage.
Storage will commence from Tuesday 21 September. NB: E M Rogers provide storage but cannot ship Automobilia lots.
Shippers or Agents wishing to collect on behalf of the purchaser must provide written instruction from the client before Bonhams will release the lot(s). All purchases are at buyers risk from the fall of the hammer.
Motor Cars
Removal and Storage of Vehicles
Vehicles must be collected from the sale venue by 12 noon on Monday 20 September 2021, at which point all remaining unpaid lots will be uplifted by E.M.Rogers to their store at the buyers expense. If the buyer is South of London their car will be uplifted to a store near Fleet. If the buyer is North of London or overseas the car will be uplifted to a store in Northampton (please see Guide for Buyers).
Buyers should satisfy themselves that they have collected all relevant log books, documents and keys relating to their Lot(s) at time of collection.
Otherwise Lots shall be removed to storage at the Buyer's expense (see below). Lots are at the Buyer's risk from the fall of the hammer.
It is strongly advisable that overseas purchasers and absentee bidders make arrangements regarding collection with Bonhams in advance of Sale.
Vehicle Removal charges
£260 + VAT per vehicle
Vehicle Storage charges
First 14 days
£14 + VAT per motor car per day
Thereafter
£30 + VAT per motor car per week
Transport and Shipping
A representative from E.M.Rogers will be at the Sale and can arrange national and international transportation as agent for the Buyer or the Seller (as the case may be).
E.M.Rogers
+44 (0) 1604 593 440 [email protected] www.emrogerstransport.com
- Automobilia
- Cars