The brainchild of AC Cars Ltd., the Aceca was a stylish, aluminum-bodied coupe based on the company’s popular two-seater roadster, the Ace. Only 151 of the highly desirable first-edition Acecas were built with the original AC engine, a two-litre, overhead-cam straight-six, and denoted by the “AE” chassis number prefix.

Completed on July 14, 1959, this Aceca, chassis AEX732, left the factory with engine number CLB2415, as confirmed by AC factory build records. It was delivered to the US through Hap Dressel’s AC Imports Inc. of Arlington, Virginia, and first sold to Walter C. White. By the 1980s, it resided with Bob Borcherdt of Boulder City, Nevada, who acquired it for its rarity and elegant design, but seldom drove it. The consignor, after initially purchasing a different AC from Mr. Borcherdt, finally convinced the owner to part with this Aceca in 2018. Since its purchase, the car has resided at sports car specialists British European Auto in San Pedro, California, where it received over $10,000 of work. In addition to a full tune-up and service in 2019, the car has benefited from a complete overhaul of the brake, cooling, and fuel systems, and the wire wheels were fitted with new Michelin tires.

Wearing racy red paint over a black leather interior, and outfitted with sporty bumperettes and headlamp guards, this very attractive sports coupe offers rarity coupled with inimitable English sports car panache.