Description
This, left-hand drive, AC Ace Bristol (#BEX452) left the factory in April 1958 and being a later car benefitted from a curved windscreen, front disc brakes and an overdrive. It was delivered new to France via Ets Chardonnet and some years later, in the late 1980s/ early1990s, the car belonged to one Alain Nibart and was registered ‘109 OM 45’. In 1997, Msr Alain Navarro purchased the Ace and installed a replacement Bristol engine (‘110/ 5068’) that had been rebuilt by Bristol Cars in 1989 for the substantial sum of ú11, 048 and a detailed account is in the car’s history file. It should be noted that the FIA papers still record the original engine’s number, ‘100D2506’.
Re-registered as ‘231 BQY 92’, the AC was restored in 1998, and at around this time an illustrated ‘Rapport d’Expertise’ (condition report) was prepared and a copy is on file. In 2008, the Bristol engine was rebuilt again, on this occasion by SARL Supersport in Paley, France, and other works carried out at a cost of Ç76, 499 (detailed bills on file). On 29th January 2001, Mr Navarro sold the car to Alexis Robert, only to repurchase it towards the end of 2002 at which point the registration was changed to ‘830 DOD 92’. In February 2005, the AC became the property of Jean-Pierre Grave of Toulouse and Geneva who, in turn, passed it on, during April 2006, to one Pierre Pinelli of Nice. The accompanying FIA papers date from 2007 when the car was registered ‘771 BLK 31’.
In 2012, the Ace was imported into the UK and treated to a comprehensive professional rebuild, completed in 2013, which included a repaint in a delightful shade of Gunmetal Grey metallic, an interior re-trim in black leather, and a new hood, tonneau cover, etc (bills on file). Since 2013, the car has been extensively detailed and the gearbox and overdrive were rebuilt in 2018 with the relevant invoices in the file.
One of the most sought-after Bristol-engined versions of this British classic, #BEX452 is presented in generally excellent condition and, as a European-delivered car with the later curved windscreen, front disc brakes and overdrive transmission, is particularly desirable.
Details:
* Left-hand drive from new, #BEX452 left the factory in April 1958 bound for France
* Being a later car, it benefits from a curved windscreen, front disc brakes, and overdrive transmission
* It was subsequently enjoyed by a number of French owners whose details are in the history file
* In 1997, the original engine was replaced with 110/ 568 (rebuilt by the factory in 1989 at the substantial cost of ú11, 048)
* Fully restored in 1998 with an illustrated ‘Rapport d’Expertise’ (on file)
* Imported into the UK in 2012 and treated to a comprehensive professional rebuild
* Gearbox and overdrive rebuilt in 2018 and the car has recently been carefully detailed
* #BEX452 is an absolutely delightful example of these desirable British classics
* Completed the 81 point health check at Dynamic Classics in Stratford upon Avon
