1957 AC ACE ROADSTER
French vehicle registration certificate
Chassis No. AEX 181
• Delivered new in Switzerland on February 20, 1957
• Racing history from 1957 to 1962
• Four known owners
• AC engine recently overhauled; invoice totaled approximately €45,000
Unveiled in London in 1953, the AC Ace combines an aluminum body with a chassis featuring independent suspension on all four wheels. Its six-cylinder engine and compact proportions place this roadster squarely in the tradition of 1950s British sports cars.
Delivered new in Switzerland on February 20, 1957, chassis AEX 181 originally featured a black body and red upholstery. Its first owner raced it at events including Landeron-Lignières, Dübendorf, Mâcon-Solutré, and Marchairuz between 1957 and 1958.
Acquired by a second Swiss owner in 1960, it continued its racing career at Montlhéry, Verbois, Dübendorf, Saint-Ursanne–Les Rangiers, Mitholz-Kandersteg, and Steckborn until 1962. It then changed hands in 2000 and joined its current collection in 2022.
A restoration completed in 2012 focused on the bodywork, chassis, upholstery, and running gear. The 2.0-liter AC engine has just undergone a complete overhaul by a specialist, documented by an invoice totaling approximately €45,000. It is paired with a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive.
Its racing history and recently refurbished mechanics will appeal to an enthusiast seeking to recapture the spirit of postwar roadsters, whether on the road or at historic events, subject to admission.
1957 AC ACE ROADSTER
French registration document
Chassis no. AEX 181
• Delivered new in Switzerland on February 20, 1957
• Competition history from 1957 to 1962
• Four recorded owners
• Recent AC engine rebuild, with an invoice for approximately €45,000
Unveiled in London in 1953, the AC Ace combines an aluminum body with independent suspension on all four wheels. Its six-cylinder engine and compact proportions place this roadster in the tradition of 1950s British sports cars.
Delivered new in Switzerland on February 20, 1957, chassis AEX 181 was originally finished in black with red upholstery. Its first owner competed at venues including Landeron-Lignières, Dübendorf, Mâcon-Solutré, and Marchairuz in 1957 and 1958.
Acquired by a second Swiss owner in 1960, it continued to compete at Montlhéry, Verbois, Dübendorf, Saint-Ursanne–Les Rangiers, Mitholz-Kandersteg, and Steckborn until 1962. It changed hands in 2000 before joining the current collection in 2022.
A restoration completed in 2012 included the bodywork, frame, upholstery, and running gear. The 2.0-liter AC engine has recently undergone a full specialist rebuild, as documented by an invoice for approximately €45,000. It is paired with a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive.
Its competition history and recently rebuilt engine will appeal to an enthusiast wishing to recapture the spirit of post-war roadsters, whether on the road or at historic events, subject to acceptance by the organizers.