Description
1958 AC Ace-Bristol
Registration Number: YSU 362
Chassis Number: BEX406
Engine Number: 100D763
Recorded Mileage: 45, 950 miles
- Matching numbers example
- Veteran of the 2010 Spa 6 Hours race
- Invoices on file for £150, 000+ in maintenance and restoration
Returning to production after the Second World War, in the early 50s AC Cars of Thames Ditton sought a replacement for the now aging 2-Litre range of cars. A product of renowned race car designer and constructor John Tojeiro, AC Cars acquired Tojeiro’s sleek lightweight open two-seater design, developed the car’s styling, fitted a 2-litre, six-cylinder AC engine and christened the new model the “Ace”. With a light, ladder-type tubular frame, all independent transverse leaf spring suspension, and an open two-seater alloy body reminiscent of Ferrari’s 166 MM Barchetta, the Ace debuted to great acclaim at the 1953 Earls Court motor show.
Featuring all-round independent suspension (a British first), the Ace was equally adept on road and track, with superb handling and minimal body roll, ultimately setting the cornerstones for the giant-killing Shelby Cobras of the 1960s.
By the mid-1950s the pre-war AC inline-six was showing its age, and so in 1956 made way for a more powerful and refined Bristol straight-six (which itself was a development of the pre-war BMW 328 unit). With triple carburetors and hemispherical combustion chambers, the 120 bhp engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission propelled the Ace to 116 mph.
Ace-Bristols won three successive SCCA E-Production Championships in the United States between 1957 and 1959, the D-Production Championship in 1960 and C-Production Championship in 1961. In Europe, the Ace-Bristol achieved a 2nd-in-class finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1957 and 1958, and both class victory and 7th overall in 1959.
BEX406
BEX406, an Bristol-engined Ace, rolled off the production line bound for the dealer British Columbia Sportcars in Canada, arriving in early February of 1958. Originally finished in Svecia Red with a black leather interior, the Ace was used on the road for a number of years before in the late 1980s being acquired by RM Classic Car Investments Inc. of Chatham, Ontario (later to be incorporated into RM Auctions). The Ace later returned to the UK in 1990 via legendary dealer and AC specialist Brian Classic. Originally LHD when exported, the Ace was converted to RHD specification, shortly after being purchased by a Mr C. Cadogan-Rawlinson of Suffolk, an AC Owner's Club member. At around this time the engine was rebuilt by specialist TT Workshops of Wiltshire, with a reground and nitrided crankshaft, also new fresh liners, pistons, valves, timing chain, oil pump and camshaft bearings.
Mr. Cadogan-Rawlinson kept the Ace for a further 18 years before ownership passed in 2009 to a Mr. O'Connell. At which point we understand BEX406’s engine, clutch and gearbox were rebuilt again, this time by respected engine specialist Nick Finburg, primarily to compete in the 2010 Spa 6 hours, Dijon-Prenois and Sir Stirling Moss Trophy for pre-1961 sportscars at the Silverstone Classic. In 2013, the car was purchased by its previous owner, being enjoyed on road rallies and at the 60th anniversary ACOC race at Silverstone in 2014.
Around 10 or so years ago the Ace was treated to mechanical overhaul, which included work to the suspension, rear axle, brakes, and steering. To improve fuelling, a high-performance pump, regulator and filter were fitted. Cooling was improved with a thicker aluminium radiator and Kenlowe fan, meanwhile at the time a competition tuned electronic ignition system, new starter motor and alternator were installed. Now finished in silver, the Ace usefully comes with a removable hard top.
Understood to be a very original car, the Ace is fitted still with its original 'D' series engine, original gearbox with overdrive, also original body stampings to be found on the bonnet and boot. Eligible for a number of historic racing, rallying and hillclimb events in the calendar, the Ace is equally happy on the track or blasting around fast A- and B-roads. BEX406 is offered with a history file, registered on a UK V5c and comes with a UK MoT certificate to August 2026.
Note: the Ace comes with a history file containing a number of invoices for in the region of £150, 000+ of restoration and mechanical works since 2013, with specialists such as Redline Engineering, Redgate Workshop, Britwell Autos and RW Racing Services.
Included are invoices for a comprehensive engine rebuild (2025), also a bodywork restoration and interior retrim (2017).
