1957 AC ACE - AC 6CYL ENGINE - CHASSIS AE220. £245, 000
A unique opportunity to acquire probably the best AC engined Ace available.
Amazing history.
Lovingly restored to exacting marque standards
by industry experts
Mille Miglia eligible. Next race June 11-15 2024.
FIVA ID Card & Papers
AE220 TODAY.
‘AE 220’ is UK road registered, taxes paid and equipped with a black hardtop roof, hood, hood frame and side screens. A most thorough and documented history file which includes its original buff logbook shows that at no stage has the Ace ever been off the road and not in use by one of its few owners.
HISTORY OF THIS ACE WITH ANDERSON HISTORIC
We purchased AE220 on the 29th July 2020. A beautiful Ace that had been lovingly restored to a very high standard and a perfect addition to our collection.
The bodywork was immaculate and had to be one of the best looking examples of the marque available. The shut lines were perfect and on an aluminium body that is very hard to achieve.
Whilst we felt AE220 was perfect from a bodywork perspective but there were mechanical things that were letting the car down. So, we set about an 18 month mechanical and cosmetic restoration to match the high standards of the bodywork.
The engine was rebuilt by CCK renowned racing engineers.
The Gearbox and overdrive were rebuilt by Overdrive Repair Services in Derbyshire. probably the best restorers of Laycock overdrives.
The dashboard had incorrect gauges in it and there were some holes made from previous gauges that were lost to history. Our task with the dashboard was to repair it and recover it in leather. All the correct gauges that were missing were replaced and the gauges that were correct were restored to exacting standards.
The carburettors were restored by Burlen, a leading restoration specialists for all carburettor makes. This restoration include getting the thermostatic choke working as it should via the temperature sensor and Otter housing.
Replacement windscreen glass was fabricated by Pilkington Classic. This AC also comes with a spare as we had 2 done at the same time.
The windscreen surround was rechromed as was the fuel cap. The bumper bars were in a sorry state and we managed to track down the original supplier and they fabricated a new set front and back.
Exhaust was fabricated by Hayward & Scott.
A lot more than the above was carried out to make this AC perfect. We can go through the full list with the potential new owner for their records.
THE HISTORY OF AE220
Chassis AE 220 was completed in right hand drive configuration at Thames Ditton on 30th October 1957 and supplied new to K. N. Rudd Ltd and registered ‘YBP 782’, the registration it retains to this day. Finished in Damask Red with a black interior, ‘AE 220’ was fitted with a 1991cc AC engine from new.
Ken Rudd had started an engineering business in Worthing and from humble beginnings had moved from working on agricultural equipment to sports cars and was soon spending his spare time motor racing.
Rudd acquired an AC Ace to race and it was with this marque that Ruddspeed Ltd established its name in motor sport and the preparation of racing cars.
In January 1958, ‘AE 220’ was sold by K. N. Rudd Ltd to a who kept the Ace for one year before selling to of North London. The family moved to live in Heathfield and the Ace went with them and was looked after by local garage; Seys Garages (Heathfield) Ltd – there are various handwritten invoices documenting the work in the history file.
The Ace then passed into the ownership of and his family in 1967 where it would remain for some forty-three years. had a scrupulous eye for detail and there are some very entertaining letters and invoices detailing his experiences with AC Cars and the car within the history file. During ownership the Ace received an engine rebuild, a repaint of the bodywork, a new exhaust system, interior retrim, rebuilt steering and the braking system was stripped and overhauled.
In 2010, the Ace was bought by a who lived locally to the family, he would own ‘AE 220’ for two years before selling to the founder of GA Fabrications - an expert in AC bodywork. He embarked on a long list of work which would include a major restoration of the body including reshaping and profiling the wings and re-hanging the doors, boot and bonnet which has resulted in perfect gaps and shut lines to the bodywork before completing a bare metal repaint in red.
A new wiring loom was installed, the suspension was rebuilt with new shock absorbers, new foot boxes, floor pans, boot floor and a new transmission tunnel were also fitted.
HOW DOES THIS AC ACE DRIVE?
Firstly, your hands are on the wheel of an AC Ace. So you set off smiling. From a cold start this AC is on the button. The thermostatic choke works very well and once warm the engine reduces revs to a pleasing burble.
The throttle is very responsive and the car pulls away well and sharply. The clutch is not heavy and once in 3rd gear overdrive is available as well as in 4th. The steering is very responsive and the AC holds bends very well giving the driver a lot of confidence. Gear changes are smooth for a 1950s car and there is real fun to be hand changing down prior to a bend and hearing the incredible exhaust note.
On the straight the AC holds a steady 70MPH (113kmh) with no issues for mile after mile and when required it steps up to 90MPH (145kmh) very comfortably and still feels relaxed. Everything on the AC Ace performs as it should, it is reliable and a superb drive.
