Lot 401

The European Sale featuring the Petitjean Collection

1956 AC Ace-Bristol

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€247,500 EUR | Sold

Netherlands | Netherlands

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Chassis No.
BEX 225
Engine No.
100D584
Documents
Belgian Certificat d'Immatriculation
  • Fully restored by marque specialists in the U.K.
  • Delivered new to Canada where it remained for majority of its life
  • One of only 463 Ace-Bristols produced between 1954 and 1963

Please note that this lot will need to be collected from Tilburg, Netherlands.

While the AC Ace was first introduced in 1953, the Bristol-engined Ace would not become available for another three years. An inline six-cylinder engine displacing 1,971 cc, the Bristol engine produced 125 bhp at 5,750 rpm and helped to make the Ace-Bristol a frontrunner in motorsport on both sides of the Atlantic.

Bristol-powered Aces won three successive SCCA E-Production Championships in the United States between 1957 and 1959, followed by 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 an incredible class victory and 7th overall in 1959.

This particular Ace-Bristol was competed by AC on November 13, 1956 and finished in Light Blue over a White leather interior. It was shipped to Canada and delivered to its first owner through Scarborough Beach Garage of Toronto, Ontario. Believed to have spent its entire life around the Greater Toronto Area, the car was acquired by Mike Abbas near Niagara Falls roughly twelve years ago.

Purchased as a restoration project, the car was shipped to the U.K. where it was restored by Ray Cordwell from 2009-2011. At some point in its past, the car had been fitted with a V-8 engine and a correct type-engine (number 100D584, originally fitted to BEX 257, which raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1959) was installed along with a correct transmission. The engine was sourced and fully rebuilt by marque specialist Mike Robinson. The interior was retrimmed by Richard Williams of Willtrim, who was recommend to the owner by the AC Owners Club.

Finished in British Racing Green over a matching green leather interior, this Ace-Bristol presents exceptionally well throughout. This would be a wonderful example to drive and enjoy for the enthusiast looking to sample one of ACs most iconic creations.