1959 AC Ace Roadster Project

• Previously part of an extensive collection of AC cars
• One of four right hand drive AC engined cars built in 1959
• Dry stored unused for 53 years
• Bought from the collection last year
• Offered for complete restoration

"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.

The success of Cliff Davis's 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, but the power unit was AC's own venerable, 2.0-litre, long-stroke six. Designed by John Weller, 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.

Chassis number 'AE1061' was one of only four right hand drive AC engine cars produced during 1959. The AC owners club register records that 'AE1061' with engine number 'CLB2421' was sold by the agent European Cars, of London to owner D.B. Cheneuix-Trench in Switzerland in July 1959. The car was supplied in bright blue metallic with a red leather interior and assigned the registration number 10 KPL.

In June 1964 the car transferred to Mr Zavieh of Earls Court, London. Six years later in September of 1970 the car transferred to Mr D R W Brown of Warlingham in Surrey with whom it would stay for the next 53 years until August 2023.

Mr Brown assembled a small collection including a second Ace, an Aceca and a brace of E-Type Jaguars. The odometer still shows a mere 26,000 miles. Indeed, the portion of the ignition key which was inside the barrel when our vendor purchased the car gives a wonderful glimpse to the condition of the car when it went into storage. Most notably the car is equipped with front disc brakes and 16-inch wheels.

The current owner purchased the car, along with an AC Aceca, from the collection last year. Our private vendor, who races an AC Cobra, bought the Ace with the idea of restoring it as part of his eclectic classic car collection and to replace a left hand drive Ace he sold a short while ago. Unfortunately, his upcoming house build for 2024 has enforced a rethink, and so this AC Ace is offered for sale.

The car is complete, albeit the interior and seats and tonneau are in poor condition, along with hood frame and side screens. Sold as seen and offered for complete restoration, 'AE1061' would make a solid foundation for a rewarding and relatively straightforward project for the new custodian. Offered with a new current UK V5C and an original duplicate buff logbook.